How can analog video recorded with an 8mm or Hi8 camcorder be converted to the digital format?

Unfortunately, video converters tend to have issues with drivers . Most external video capture devices come with capturing and editing software, such as the example shown below.

Capture Video video from USB Video Capture Software

Online sharing – most video transfer services offer a way to store your videos on their secure servers so you can send links to friends and family for sharing and playback. Prices of thes USB video capture devices have dropped and their sizes have grown smaller. When you search for solutions for converting old tapes to digital, you will usually get results about video converters or video capturing devices.

If after capturing video to your computer and editing it, you need to burn it to DVD, you would need a DVD writer installed in your computer. 8mm camcorders come with AV ports not supported by computers by default. To convert 8mm to DVD yourself , you need to have the necessary equipment. That would be ideal if you have an 8mm tape or two to convert.

Transferring Super 8 Film via Film Projector

A simple video editing software in also thrown in to enable you to capture video and simple edits. If you don’t have the budget to use a tape to digital service or don’t want to take the risk of using one, then you would have to convert 8mm to DVD yourself. If the camcorder records on MiniDVD discs, it may have a USB port , but some may not. If it has a USB port, you can connect the camcorder to a PC using a standard or mini/micro-to-standard USB cable. Copy the video to a computer with Audio/Video (A/V) inputs using video capture software . Insert one end of the AV cable into this port and the other end into the capture device.

The decision to use professional services for digitizing MiniDV videotapes will depend on your specific needs, budget, and risk tolerance. It’s crucial to carefully evaluate these factors and research service providers before making a decision. Although it comes with a price, it can be affordable depending on your chosen service. Current video-capturing or converter devices are easy to use and offer high-quality footage capture.

Launch your video editing software that comes with your video capture device. With over 25 years of experience, we convert Hi8 to digital or DVD at the highest quality, as well as all other home video tape formats. Converting Hi8 tapes to digital or DVD is the only way to ensure that your captured memories are preserved and protected, forever. We are the professional online video transfer service provider most choose to convert those 8mm tapes.

Video Capture Device

Connect the USB output of the video capture device to a USB port on the PC. If you want to take a hands-off approach, you’ll want to use a professional digitization service to scan your 8mm film.

Read more about video 8 to digital here.

For additional tips, consult your camcorder, VCR, or DVD recorder user guide. There should be a page on how copying tapes from a camcorder, copying from one VCR to another, or from a VCR to a DVD recorder. Plug the camcorder’s audio/video cables from its AV outputs to the AV inputs on the front or back of the VCR or DVD recorder. Copying your camcorder tapes to a more current format preserves your footage more reliably and allows you to edit it.

Most Digital8 camcorders and tape players can play back Hi-8 tapes. They come with Firewire or IEEE1394 ports which allow you to transfer video from any 8mm tape to a computer. This video capture card must be attached to the computer.

Assume roughly 10GB per tape , then multiply by how many tapes you have. If you’ve never heard of firewire I discuss in great detail what is a firewire card is for PC desktop and laptops, and if you’re a MAC user there’s some info in there for you too. Every Legacybox kit includes a pre-paid return UPS® mailing label for you to use when sending us your analog media. We know how important every home movie and photo is, so we’ve pioneered our very own, industry leading, online tracking system. Still, if you insist your captured file be burnt to DVD, then you can opt for an external DVD writer, which you can plug into your computer USB port.