Digital 8 on regular 8 tape? at DVinfo.net

Robert Bobson · February 10th, 2006, 07:18 AM

I've been supplied some Digital 8 footage on two tapes. One is HI8, and the other is standard 8 tape.

I'm wondering if there is a quality issue for Digital 8 recorded on standard 8 tapes. Is that normal? (I don't know much about the Digital 8 format)

I searched online - and most definitions say "Digital 8 is recorded on HI8 tape".

and I can't find anything that says exactly what the difference is between the HI8 and standard 8 tape formats.

thanks

Chris Barcellos · February 10th, 2006, 09:52 AM

Digital 8 records digital information on the tape. You are recording 1 and 0 to the tape. Hi8 and regular 8 are not digital formats. However, many if not all Digital 8 cameras will play the non digital tapes and transfer them to your computer by digital signal. This is one of the primary benefits of the Digital 8 format, when it was introduced.

John C. Chu · February 10th, 2006, 10:40 AM

I have a Hitachi Digital 8 camcorder and you can record digital on either types of tapes. Hi-8 or regular 8mm.

The Hitachi manual says, however that it prefers Hi-8 tape though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Bobson

I've been supplied some Digital 8 footage on two tapes. One is HI8, and the other is standard 8 tape.

I'm wondering if there is a quality issue for Digital 8 recorded on standard 8 tapes. Is that normal? (I don't know much about the Digital 8 format)

I searched online - and most definitions say "Digital 8 is recorded on HI8 tape".

and I can't find anything that says exactly what the difference is between the HI8 and standard 8 tape formats.

thanks

Jason Hunt · February 10th, 2006, 01:11 PM

It's a digital format so you would expect the same quality on both. Hi8 tapes were recommended but many users said they used normal 8 tape with no problems.

Jason

Robert Bobson · February 10th, 2006, 03:09 PM

Thanks all

I found that Sony also "recommends" HI8 tape for digital 8 recording, although I can't find a reason why.

Jason Hunt · February 10th, 2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Bobson

Thanks all

I found that Sony also "recommends" HI8 tape for digital 8 recording, although I can't find a reason why.

They cost more.

Arguably they are better quality but thats really more beneficial for analogue recording.

Jason

Chris Barcellos · February 10th, 2006, 05:30 PM

I seem to recall from a long time ago that there was a slight difference in width, but can't swear by it. You were supposed to run the risk of having drop outs on the regular 8 if you recorded with it in Digital 8. I think that is why there was even a difference in HI 8 tape. It had to be a little wider to get the additional info on there. From there, the Digital 8 was designed to use the HI 8 form factor.

Dale Guthormsen · February 15th, 2006, 10:22 PM

My first camcorder was digital 8.

We used both types of tape and I can not see any visible difference after post production of noth in the same project.

I reckon it is sales pitch.

gus

February 10th, 2006, 07:18 AM	#1
Robert Bobson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 585	Digital 8 on regular 8 tape? I've been supplied some Digital 8 footage on two tapes. One is HI8, and the other is standard 8 tape. I'm wondering if there is a quality issue for Digital 8 recorded on standard 8 tapes. Is that normal? (I don't know much about the Digital 8 format) I searched online - and most definitions say "Digital 8 is recorded on HI8 tape". and I can't find anything that says exactly what the difference is between the HI8 and standard 8 tape formats. thanks

February 10th, 2006, 09:52 AM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Difference digital 8 and Hi 8 Digital 8 records digital information on the tape. You are recording 1 and 0 to the tape. Hi8 and regular 8 are not digital formats. However, many if not all Digital 8 cameras will play the non digital tapes and transfer them to your computer by digital signal. This is one of the primary benefits of the Digital 8 format, when it was introduced. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 10th, 2006, 05:30 PM	#7
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Tape Difference I seem to recall from a long time ago that there was a slight difference in width, but can't swear by it. You were supposed to run the risk of having drop outs on the regular 8 if you recorded with it in Digital 8. I think that is why there was even a difference in HI 8 tape. It had to be a little wider to get the additional info on there. From there, the Digital 8 was designed to use the HI 8 form factor. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 15th, 2006, 10:22 PM	#8
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	digital 8 My first camcorder was digital 8. We used both types of tape and I can not see any visible difference after post production of noth in the same project. I reckon it is sales pitch. gus

February 10th, 2006, 01:11 PM	#4
Jason Hunt New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Leicester, UK Posts: 12	It's a digital format so you would expect the same quality on both. Hi8 tapes were recommended but many users said they used normal 8 tape with no problems. Jason

February 10th, 2006, 03:09 PM	#5
Robert Bobson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 585	Thanks all I found that Sony also "recommends" HI8 tape for digital 8 recording, although I can't find a reason why.