Sony Hi8 and Video8 Tapes

[crapex]

Hi.. my sony digital8 camera wont read the older analog hi8 and video8 tapes.. any suggestions on how to digitise these old analog jewels?

 

[jaegersing]

Are you sure the tapes are OK? Or is it that the cam is faulty, because digital8 cam should be able to digitise the analogue video8 and hi8 tapes no problem.

 

[crapex]

Dont think they are faulty.. i've tried like 5 old tapes they will play (tape will roll) in the camera but it only shows blue (no footage)

 

[Rollsch]

Not every sony digital 8 camcorder can playback recorded video/hi 8 tape. The instruction manual will mention if that particular model is able to do it.

 

[DXNMedia]

Other possibilities:

1) The Video8/Hi8 footage is shot with a NTSC/PAL camera and the playback Digital8 cam is of the other format.

2) The Video8/Hi8 footage is shot with LP mode and the Digital8 camera cannot handle playback in LP mode....If I recall correctly, Digital8 cameras can only play SP Video8/Hi8 tapes.

3) The old Video8/Hi8 tapes may have clogged up the playback head drum on your Digital8 machine. Try cleaning up the heads.


Do let us know how you managed to solve your issue. :thumbsup:

 

[crapex]

thanks for the reply

eh i forgot what i shot with already.. its a long time ago since my hi8 camcorder spoilt.. the tapes were left there since then until recently i managed to get my hands on a digital8 camcorder to digitise..

erm i have a feeling its the NTSC/PAL fps prob or i had shot in LP back then.. drums shld be ok

any other ways of digitising my video8 and hi8 tapes other than through a cam corder and firewire? I have alot of tapes

 

[jaegersing]

any other ways of digitising my video8 and hi8 tapes other than through a cam corder and firewire? I have alot of tapes

Of course, but must pay money one!

 

[crapex]

uh. i was trying to aviod that lol! its ALOT of tapes haha! Really no way arhhz.. maybe i go hunt down an old sch hi-8 cam will that do me any good?

 

[jaegersing]

uh. i was trying to aviod that lol! its ALOT of tapes haha! Really no way arhhz.. maybe i go hunt down an old sch hi-8 cam will that do me any good?

Hi 8 cam should be cheap to pick up somewhere, but it will only give you analogue video out, not digital, so you would need a means of digitising the footage. If your PC doesn't have it, how about a DVD recorder? One of these will capture your videos in DVD format MPEG2 which is useful if you are not going to do much editing.

Be careful though. If your problem is due to recording in LP mode, even a Hi 8 cam might have playback problems due to head misalignment. I suggest if you are planning to buy one that you take along a couple of tapes to audition the cam and make sure playback is OK.

 

[crapex]

ahhax thanks for the pointer! i hav a dvd recorder so guess thats my way out! now where to hunt for an old hi-8 cam....... i go try those flea market or maybe cashconverter

Thanks!!

 

[Ramanathan Rajesh]

Hi Crapex,

I have Hi8 Video Camera, do you want to buy it, it is working in very good condition. But, I have to convert my tapes before selling to you. Please contact me at 81983348.