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Copying video from Hi8 tape to DVD (7 posts)

vincent hogan Posted 7 years, 3 months ago Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago

I have a lot of video footage on Hi8 tape (not digital) that I would like to put onto DVD. How can I do this via my computer? What accessories/add-ons do I need?

Paul Guy Posted 7 years, 3 months ago Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago

Re: Copying video from Hi8 tape to DVD

I'm just going through the process of doing this myself. Essentially there are several alternatives:

1. Buy a DVD recorder with analog inputs. This will give you a DVD with no menus and no titling etc. Not very satisfactory.

2. Buy or borrow a digital camcorder with analog inputs. Send the analog data to the digital camcorder and it will record it in the new format. Then send that via a firewire cable to your PC for capture/editing and then DVD authoring and burning.

3. Buy a analog to digital converter (I bought the Canopus ADVC55 which is firewire powered and sits between you analog video device (camcorder or VHS etc) and your PC. Cost is about $400 but it works brilliantly with no dropped frames that cheaper devices have. Steer clear of USB devices as they just don't cut the mustard. You will need a PC with plenty of grunt as well as lots of RAM (it's cheap anyway) and a big hard drive.

Video capture can be in different modes but if you use raw DV it takes up 1GB a minute (I use DV-AVI which uses about 200MB a minute). XP has a reasonable capture/editing package in Movie Maker v2 (free) but you still need a package to author/burn the DVD. I use Sonic DVD Deluxe because it fills my needs.

Chris Burrage Posted 7 years, 3 months ago Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago

Re: Copying video from Hi8 tape to DVD

You can use a capture card in the pc, which will do the job. Messy though. Much better to forget the computer and by a stadalone DVD recorder. Much better quality, and no fuss. The basic Dick Smith job starts around AU$350, but a good one can be had for less than $1000. (eg Panasonic dual VHS / DVD recorder)

Chris B

Anonymous Posted 7 years, 3 months ago Joined: N/A

Re: Copying video from Hi8 tape to DVD

I use a WinFast 2000XP Pro capture card (about the $100.00 mark) and have "reasonable" results.

The card comes with both the standard RCA type sockets and also a S-VHS socket which should suit your camera. Just use the camera as the player and capture to the hard drive then record direct To DVD.

If you want further infomation let me know.

alline@optusnet.com.au

Micky Bounader Posted 7 years, 3 months ago Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago

Re: Copying video from Hi8 tape to DVD

Hi Vincent,

Quick and easy answer:

There is a rather inexpensive product which you can get from CX computers if you are in Sydney. If not they can also ship one to you, check it out.

http://www.cx.com.au/Product-Detail.asp?ProductID=13603

This is a small USB audio/video capture device, and should be perfect for what you are after.

CX are selling for about $120.

You can also get information about this item at the vendor’s website.

http://www.comsol.com.au/prodmore.asp?id=UV-102&refer=/proddetail.asp?l1=75

Hope this helps!

vincent hogan Posted 7 years, 2 months ago Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago

Re: Copying video from Hi8 tape to DVD

Hi Paul

Thanks for your response.

Option 3 that you proposed - "Buy a analog to digital converter (I bought the Canopus ADVC55 which is firewire powered and sits between you analog video device (camcorder or VHS etc) and your PC" - I don't have a firewire port on my PC to use the ADVC55.

Does it come with cabling to overcome this?

I'd be glad of any other info on the ADVC55 before I buy - they are approx. 200 Euros here in Ireland.

Vincent

Meeplerem Posted 8 months, 4 weeks ago Joined: N/A

What do you mean?

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