video 8 conversion

[peflana78]

What is the easiest way to convert video 8 tapes to DVD format?   My old DVD camcorder is broken.

[Blencogo · Accepted solution]

If you Google, you will find numerous commercial firms who will do this for you - at a price.

The video signal needs to be digitised to transfer it to your computer to edit and transfer to DVD.  The only way to do this yourself is to buy an old PAL Video 8 camera on eBay - most of these have the capability of converting to DV format and transferring to your computer via an iLink cable.  If you can only get one with composite video output you will need a USB video capture device to digitise the video signal.

Sony also used to make Video 8 VCRs and you may find one of these on eBay - search for EV-C400E.

However, the best way is to try and borrow or buy a Video 8 camcorder.

[KDL-CX520]

Long time ago, i saw a mechanical adapter on amazon, from Video 8 tape to VHS tape, because it is only mechanical device, i guess will be reasonable price  (sorry i cannot remember its link, but google it)

[Bravia55HX]

KDL-CX520,

the poster wants to move forward not backwards!!, the "device you refer to is simply a full sized video cartridge that has been converted to accept a video 8 tape, this opens the tape up inside the cartridge to allow it to play in a video player.

therfore not suitable for the posters needs as needs to convert video 8 to DVD  not VHS.:smileysilly:

[KDL-CX520]

Bravia55HX923,

yes i mean that cartridge exactly, it is the easiest (also cheapest ) way to play the Video 8 tapes in Video cassette recorder (VCR)  then record the ouput from VCR to DVD recorder by cable.

Have a nice day

[Bravia55HX]

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/digital-home/11484/how-to-transfer-movies-from-vhs-to-dvd/

there you go a simple how to.

[KDL-CX520]

Thanks Bravia55HX923 for this interested link, it is mentioned there that we still need VHS source

BTW, i was facing the same problem as the poster, this was long time ago when i decided to backup all our family movies to DVDs, there is no way to read the data recorded on Video 8 magnetic tape by eyes:smileylaugh:  - unless you get a good magnifier , so i look for the easiest way to do it, at that time i found the Video 8> VHS adaptor (Cartridge) is the best way.......DONE and i was satisfied with the results

[Blencogo]

http://www.manchestervideo.com/?p=389

[Bravia55HX]

Blencogo,

yeah i missed that!, i had a hitachi camcorder donkeys years back and now remember, VHS-C had the adaptors and not video 8 or Hi-8 as far as i can remember, age is failing me! lol.

so to re cap, hence the need for a camcorder to play the video-8/ Hi-8 tapes via a lead to a recorder for it to be able to work!

i apologise for my part in the confusion!!

[Blencogo]

Hi Bravia55HX923,

Perhaps I should rent out my old CCD-VX100E PRO for this purpose!!

It still works well - although the resolution of 350,000 pixels is a bit low by modern standards.  The batteries are dead but it came with a mains AC Adapter so it can be used as a Video 8 VCR.  Still "as new" in its custom aluminium case.

I guess it's me showing my age now - I think I bought this in Slough Sony Centre in the late 1970's!!!!