Can I play an analog video tape in a digital 8 video camera and then capture on computer to edit? The footage was originally taken using video 8 camera.

Re: Analog video footage to digital footage

Sure can. This procedure requires a video capture card which can be purchased reasonable cheaply from the local pc shop. This also turns your pc into a TV and video recorder, which might have some merit for you. That said, there are times when using a pc is not the best option. This is one of them. A commercial DVD TV recorder will provide a seriously better outcome. You will be able to plug the camera in to transfer the V8 tape to DVD. The capture card is cheaper, but if you want results, then you get what you pay for .....

Chris B

Analog Video Footage to Digital

Unfortunately, many DVD recorders that have a FireWire input, to allow conversion of a Digital8 or DV tape recording from a camcorder or VCR, will not accept a signal that does not have digital time-code on it. Analog RC time-code won't work in this case. When you play an analog 8mm or Hi-8 tape recording in a Digital8 camcorder or VCR, it will send out a digital signal that does not have time-code on it. However, it can be sent to a computer capture card, which typically will accept it without time-code.

To get digital time-code on the recording, so most DVD recorders will accept it for conversion to a DVD format, you first have to re-record it on Digital8 or DV tape. This requires two camcorders or VCRs, one of which must use digital tapes. Play the 8mm tape in either an 8mm or a Hi-8 camcorder and send the signal by A/V cords to a digital camcorder or VCR for the re-recording. Or, you can play the analog tape in a Digital8 camcorder or VCR and send it by FireWire to another digital camcorder or VCR to be re-recorded with the time-code added.

Analog Video Footage to Digital

Unfortunately, many DVD recorders that have a FireWire input, to allow conversion of a Digital8 or DV tape recording from a camcorder or VCR, will not accept a signal that does not have digital time-code on it. Analog RC time-code won't work in this case. When you play an analog 8mm or Hi-8 tape recording in a Digital8 camcorder or VCR, it will send out a digital signal that does not have time-code on it. However, it can be sent to a computer capture card, which typically will accept it without time-code.

To get digital time-code on the recording, so most DVD recorders will accept it for conversion to a DVD format, you first have to re-record it on Digital8 or DV tape. This requires two camcorders or VCRs, one of which must use digital tapes. Play the 8mm tape in either an 8mm or a Hi-8 camcorder and send the signal by A/V cords to a digital camcorder or VCR for the re-recording. Or, you can play the analog tape in a Digital8 camcorder or VCR and send it by FireWire to another digital camcorder or VCR to be re-recorded with the time-code added.