Things You'll Need:
- Hi8 camera or player
- DVD burner, or computer that burns DVDs
- Cables
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Step 1
Transferring Hi8 tapes to DVD with a DVD burner is the easiest option. Simply connect cables from the Hi8 output to the DVD recorder input. Play your Hi8 tapes on your camera and press "Record" on the DVD recorder. You will get a DVD in real time.
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Step 2
Use a Digital 8 camcorder to convert your Hi8 tapes to digital. This is another simple option, and it gives you higher-quality copies. Play the analog tapes on the Digital 8 camcorder and send the information to your computer through a "firewire" cable. The Digital 8 camcorder will convert the Hi8 tapes to DV. You can then burn the information to a DVD on your computer.
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Step 3
Try a capture device that converts Hi8 tapes to MPEG2 files. This process is a bit more cumbersome than the previous two. You have to buy a piece of hardware that you may not use more than a few times. Connect your analog Hi8 camera to the digital MPEG2 converter box. Press "Play" and "Record." The device will burn your DVD.
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Step 4
Go through your computer if you want to edit your video before burning to a DVD. You can do this if your computer's editing software converts analog to DV. Connect your Hi8 camera to your computer. The result will be MPEG2 files of your Hi8 video. This will take quite a bit of time and fill up a lot of memory, but you will have the flexibility of editing your video before burning it to a DVD on your computer.
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Step 5
Pay someone to do it. This is the best option if you don't have the time or patience to dub piles of Hi8 tapes. There are many companies that will convert your Hi8 tapes to DVD for a price. But be sure you are dealing with a reputable company. If you aren't, you might not get your tapes and DVDs back.
Comments
apalmer said
on 4/4/2009 This would have been wonderful when I had Hi8's. Thanks for the information, I can pass it on! 5*
geeboy79 said
on 3/8/2009 Hooah!!! 5*
texasparky said
on 2/19/2009 I'm one of those people with piles of Hi8's...Thanks!