Advise on converting Hi8 tapes to digital copies?

[Robstene]

Sorry in advance if this is the wrong place to post this question:

Can anyone tell me how I can download my Hi8 tapes into my mac, although obviously Hi8 not being a digi tape..?

Someone suggested running my old hi8 camera through my dvx and then into my computer...??

Is this possible and can someone tell me how to do this please..?

Also the camera that I've started viewing the old Hi8 tapes on seems to be somehow playing the tapes faster than the original tapes recorded it at..? Hmmm...most infuriating


Thanks in advance

Robstene

 

[Dick Campbell]

As long as the Hi8 tapes were recorded in SP mode (not LP), you should be OK. Does your Hi8 camera have Firewire output (I would guess not)? You need to find a Sony Digital8 camcorder (it will have Firewire digital out) which you can then connect to the mac and use an NLE to capture. You will probably have to manually play the camera in VCR mode. The Sony D8 cameras also played back Hi8 material. Not sure why someone suggested the dvx since it is miniDV.

Your only other option is to install some sort of analog capture card in your mac, such as a video card that has this function. These kinds of capabilities are getting dated however.