where to buy used Hi8 for transfer

Chuck Silverman · September 13th, 2008, 11:02 AM

hi

I live in Los Angeles, CA. I'm looking for a Hi8 camcorder with a Firewire interface to transfrer Hi8 tapes to digital. Recording video is not a priority at all.

Does anyone know a reputable dealer whom I can contact or does anyone know where I can purchase said camcorder. I do prefer Sony.

Thanks

Chuck S
Los Angeles, CA

Robert M Wright · September 13th, 2008, 01:08 PM

I don't think Sony is making Digi8 cameras anymore. You could certainly buy one used on eBay (be careful) or you might take a look at this:

GV-D200 | GV-D200 Digital8<sup>®</sup> Video Walkman<sup>™</sup> VCR | Sony | SonyStyle USA

Richard Alvarez · September 13th, 2008, 02:03 PM

Did Hi8 utilize firewire??? I don't think it did. It's an analogue format, not digital. Digital 8 cameras did, and some were also backwards compatible I think. But if you can find an old Hi8 camera, you'll need to transpose the tapes to digital through a trancoder/deck.

Bill Pryor · September 13th, 2008, 02:15 PM

Even though your tapes are Hi-8, you'll need a Digital 8 camcorder to transfer them via firewire. The digi8 will play both, but a Hi-8 won't play a digi8. EBay is probably your best bet to try to find a used one.

B&H still sells the old Video Walkman, which is a Digital 8 deck with firewire, and it will play your Hi-8 tapes.

(Google is your friend)
Digital 8 & DV VCRs | B&H Photo Video

Personally, I would look for a cheap Digital 8 camera. But the format died almost before it came out, so there aren't all that many of them around.

Chris Hurd · September 14th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Silverman

I'm looking for a Hi8 camcorder with a Firewire interface ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Alvarez

Did Hi8 utilize firewire? I don't think it did.

There's no such thing as a Hi8 camcorder with FireWire.

However most (not all, but most) Sony Digital8 camcorders have FireWire, and they can play back Hi8 tapes. The Sony GV-D200 Digital8 deck is probably the best way to go, if you can find one.

Boyd Ostroff · September 14th, 2008, 05:21 PM

I have a lot of old Hi-8 archive tapes of our performances, and fortunately our ancient Sony camera still works. I have been gradually converting them to DVD, using an s-video connection to a DVD recorder. If you don't need to edit the footage then you might consider this approach. Afterwards I just rip the DVD's and store the images on a firewire drive for future use.

If you can't find a digital 8 camera, then this box is a cheap way to go from analog to firewire with a Hi-8 camera: ADS Technologies | Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional | API-558-EFS

September 13th, 2008, 11:02 AM	#1
Chuck Silverman New Boot Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 8	where to buy used Hi8 for transfer hi I live in Los Angeles, CA. I'm looking for a Hi8 camcorder with a Firewire interface to transfrer Hi8 tapes to digital. Recording video is not a priority at all. Does anyone know a reputable dealer whom I can contact or does anyone know where I can purchase said camcorder. I do prefer Sony. Thanks Chuck S Los Angeles, CA

September 14th, 2008, 05:21 PM	#6
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 10,950	I have a lot of old Hi-8 archive tapes of our performances, and fortunately our ancient Sony camera still works. I have been gradually converting them to DVD, using an s-video connection to a DVD recorder. If you don't need to edit the footage then you might consider this approach. Afterwards I just rip the DVD's and store the images on a firewire drive for future use. If you can't find a digital 8 camera, then this box is a cheap way to go from analog to firewire with a Hi-8 camera: ADS Technologies \| Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional \| API-558-EFS __________________ http://tech.operaphilly.com \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

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September 13th, 2008, 01:08 PM	#2
Robert M Wright Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Watkins, Minnesota (USA) Posts: 1,294	I don't think Sony is making Digi8 cameras anymore. You could certainly buy one used on eBay (be careful) or you might take a look at this: GV-D200 \| GV-D200 Digital8<sup>®</sup> Video Walkman<sup>™</sup> VCR \| Sony \| SonyStyle USA

September 13th, 2008, 02:03 PM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,558	Did Hi8 utilize firewire??? I don't think it did. It's an analogue format, not digital. Digital 8 cameras did, and some were also backwards compatible I think. But if you can find an old Hi8 camera, you'll need to transpose the tapes to digital through a trancoder/deck.

September 13th, 2008, 02:15 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 3,307	Even though your tapes are Hi-8, you'll need a Digital 8 camcorder to transfer them via firewire. The digi8 will play both, but a Hi-8 won't play a digi8. EBay is probably your best bet to try to find a used one. B&H still sells the old Video Walkman, which is a Digital 8 deck with firewire, and it will play your Hi-8 tapes. (Google is your friend) Digital 8 & DV VCRs \| B&H Photo Video Personally, I would look for a cheap Digital 8 camera. But the format died almost before it came out, so there aren't all that many of them around.