Converting Hi-8 to PC

I looked in many stores and many websites to see if there was some way to convert old HI-8 to PC. I did find a hub that was almost every type of connector to PC ($200.00) and I also found a simple A/V to USB for $5.

So my question is, is there any other way to do this without spending $200 dollars on a hub with ports I wont even use? Or will the USB wire work fine, even if it wont be the high quality?

-thanks

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2024

That might help.

Dazzle isnt what im really looking for....

I am looking for a simple wire that will take S-Video or A/V and put it to Fire Wire or USB. Dazzle seems way too expensive.

As stated by coasterdude, the link he provided kind of covers what you're talking about.

The problem is that all the converters come with software, which means you have to purchase a $15 adapter with $60 software. Check CompUSA's website, they have adapters that are sold seperately the last time I checked. They all come with S-Video/Composite Video-Audio plugs to USB.

Dazzle and Pinnacle both provide the adapters + software. Although with Hi8 there will be loss since the video is not digital encoded to begin with and you may notice some lack in quality.

If you have a miniDV camera you can always just copy your footage to Mini DV then capture from the DV camera. That's how I would do it.

--Robb

Dazzle and Pinnacle both provide the adapters + software. Although with Hi8 there will be loss since the video is not digital encoded to begin with and you may notice some lack in quality.

Try capturing old VHS....yikes, I'm getting a ton of pixelation unless I capture at the hightest setting.

For Hi-8, does capturing through S-video make that much of a difference? I've only done some test runs using composite and, I'm not totally impressed. Now if I could just find that S-video cable.....

The issue is the video is being converted into a digital format, hence the loss in quality. Hi8 should be less than a VHS tape .. but still won't be Digital8/MiniDV quailty as you see now-a-days.

Lowering the frame rate may increase some quality, but anything less than 29.96fps will look like utter crap.

I think we're getting tape formats confused here. Here's a rundown:

VHS … the standard taping format that most of us have used for many years. Most of us have VHS video tape players/recorders at home. We rent movies on VHS. It is a very inexpensive format. Most of our students have VHS VCR's at home. VHS is an ANALOG format.***

8mm … a different taping format. Uses a different camera type and different media. Produces a better quality product than standard VHS. These tapes cannot be played directly in a standard VHS VCR. Most 8mm camera makers provide the purchaser with a cable to connect the camera to a standard VCR or television. This will allow the copying of the movie onto VHS tape or to simply view the tape. 8mm is an ANALOG format.***

Hi8 … a different taping format. Similar to the 8mm format. A slightly more expensive camera and media. Higher quality product. Same provisions needed to make copies to the standard VHS format as with 8mm. Hi8 is an ANALOG format. Most Hi8 cameras will allow the user to export an S-VHS signal.***

MiniDV … another format. The actual video produced with a MiniDV camera is similar (although slightly better) in quality to a Hi8/Digital camera. Some differences can be found when comparing the MiniDV's ability to shoot in darker places, better quality sound etc. But in general, the video is the same. MiniDV media is a little more expensive than Hi8 media. MiniDV cameras are more expensive. MiniDV will also export directly to a computer attached with Firewire. MiniDV cameras will also use cables to attach to standard VHS VCRs to make copies. MiniDV is a digital format.***

Basically, the Hi8 is a step up from VHS, but doesn't have the sound and ability to shoot as well in the dark as miniDV.

When I bought my camcorder, Digital8 was brand new and I was told not to bother, as it wasn't worth the cost and DV cameras weren't available. Thus, I went with Hi8 as it can tape under S-VHS quality, a step up from VHS since I can output through S-video (higher quality video than the normal composite).

***These were taken from http://www.btathletics.com/vidprimer.htm

You forgot Digital 8....

It uses a Hi8 tape, but uses a digital format.

If you have a miniDV camera you can always just copy your footage to Mini DV then capture from the DV camera. That's how I would do it.

How? There is no A/V in on my camera, only out.