HI8 tapes to dvd

[jetcrew]

Ok tech people...

I have a heap of high 8 tapes and want to store them on DVD as when the camera dies I will no way of playing them.

I do not have a FIREWIRE port so that rules out into the computer or so I am told...?

So If i buy a cheap DVD recorder and simply plug the av leads into that machine hit record will the footage be transferred onto the disk just likje tv would.?

Got vids of the kids when young so need to save them on disc as the camera is starting to play up.

Any advice appreciated ..

Thanks jet

[nbd73]

Don't see why not. If your old video camera has audio (red&white) & video (yellow) cables for plugging into a tv for viewing then a DVD recorder will do it. Most still have those input plugs. If your old camera is not widescreen then when playing back from disc you may have to change the aspect ratio on the viewing screen. The key item to look for when getting the cheapo recorder is what format discs it records to.  DVD-R is usually the most widely accepted format for playback in other machines (eg car player). Then if you can get a PC with a DVD player and appropriate software you might be able to get the videos onto a hard drive, but not 100% on this, others will know more on that. Hope that helps.

[carinya]

If you're really keen on fiddling with the computer, you could get a firewire card, anywhere between $30  and $80, and easy to install. Then go to town with a video editor and spruce the old movies up a bit.

[tonym]

You can buy a USB interface for under $50 that will let you record the camera onto your computer.
Here is one I found on a quick Google. http://jjbypc.com.au/usb-20-display-adapter/108-usb-20-audio-video-capture-cable-dvd-maker-editor-32-64-bit-3400.html

Use the S-Video side if possible as the quality is better. This way you can edit the video if you want to.

Also using a DVD recorder will work well for you, again use the S-Video (sometimes called SVHS) input if possible.

[Renno]

I have one from AverMedia you are welcome to try. I lost the remote in the move but I don't think you need it to do what you want. Ill pull it out and give it a test run if you want.

Renno

[jetcrew]

You can buy a USB interface for under $50 that will let you record the camera onto your computer.
Here is one I found on a quick Google. http://jjbypc.com.au/usb-20-display-adapter/108-usb-20-audio-video-capture-cable-dvd-maker-editor-32-64-bit-3400.html

Use the S-Video side if possible as the quality is better. This way you can edit the video if you want to.

Also using a DVD recorder will work well for you, again use the S-Video (sometimes called SVHS) input if possible.

Champion thanks mate ..I just ordered one $32 delivered , now to work out how to use it when it arrives LOL

I have one from AverMedia you are welcome to try. I lost the remote in the move but I don't think you need it to do what you want. Ill pull it out and give it a test run if you want.

Renno

Thanks heaps mate greatly appreciated , but for $32 hardley seemed worth putting you to the trouble , hope all is well down your way with the water mate ..

jet

[yogi]

Theo ... With this sort of thing its best to work backwards. As if you’re not interested in high quality then it makes it a little easier and they will take up a lot less room to store on the DVDs. On the other hand if you want the best quality then they will take up more room. You will also require some kind of video editing software to do the conversion / formatting depending on how you want the end product formatted ie sounds and picture quality. For example if you want DVD quality then you will only get 120 minutes per single layer DVD. The end quality will also be totally dependent on what format and quality your initially use to extract the video to your HDD as there is only so much you can do with formatting / conversion utility’s.

yogi