Help me convert hi8 tapes to dvd...?

Question

i have a sony handycam which uses hi8 tapes. i have a few hi8 tapes that i want converted to dvd but the tapes are very precious to me as it has my son as a baby on them. i dont really want to send them off to be converted somewhere as 1. im scared they will get lost or damaged in the post and 2. its so expensive to get just one tape converted let alone 3!!

i have a pc with a dvd burner and i can get hold of most formats of dvd converters, burners software etc but what other wires/cables do i need to do this myself?! and how easy can it be or how difficult?!! dummies guides are most welcomed! =)

i really wnt to put these on dvd as tapes dont last forever! thanks for your help

blondie

Answer 1

It would be easier to use a domestic DVD recorder if you can borrow one.  If not, they are cheap to buy.  You connect your video camera to the DVD recorder using its standard video and audio lead.  Play the tape while recording it on the DVD recorder.  That's it.  Job done.

Just a minor warning:  there is no evidence that DVDs last for ever either.  Tapes will deteriorate but DVD's just stop working. If the recording is precious, better to make more than one copy.

Answer 2

Hi Blondie,

I used DVD Xpress.

With DVD Xpress you can transfer your video to your hard drive and then edit it if you desire. DVD Xpress comes with basic video editing software. I got mine at Sam's for $59.95. They are cheaper now. You can look at one & read about it here - http://www.usb-ware.com/ads-dvd-xpress.h...

I saw a newer model at WalMart recently. It was the DVD Xpress2. I can't remember what it cost.

You connect the composite output of your Handycam into the DVD Xpress and connect the DVD Xpress to your computer via a USB cable.

Norm

Answer 3

answerer 3 suggested exactly what i do with mine.... i just hook it up directly to my dvd recorder... no more complicated than a vcr, and record from the inputs on the front.  if you are scared the dvd won't last indefinately, you can always record the dvd onto your pc when it's done

Answer 4

If you want to do it yourself then you need a capture card . You can buy one at your local electronics store. You probably want to digitize it via a decent editing program. Adobe Prmiere is a basic program that will enable you to do it.

After that you will need to convert the files to Mpeg-2 files. Premiere may have an exporter for that or look online for a converter.

And finally assemble the files in your DVD program and burn it onto DVD.

Answer 5

Need to see your camera and computer. I would speculate there is an output so you can play media to your television.  try this http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....

This y-adapter could be used to interface your handycam with a dvd recorder. If you don't have a dvd recorder try this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....

Use this to interface your camera with the video card of your computer.

someone could really help if you described what types of inlets you have to your computer and what types of outlets you have on your camera.

Answer 6

Even though I have the capture card on my computor,I use portable DVD recorder to coppy from camcorder(casstte) to DVD.Yes make more than one coppy and keep one in the shelf. Because after getting small scratches,DVDs stop working.