How to Convert an Hi8 Video Camcorder to DVD
Hi8 Video Cameras were the video recording option of choice for much of the 1990s, but digital recording equipment makes their analog storage obsolete. If you still have backlogs of home video on Hi8, transferring them to DVD extends their lifespan and allows for easier copying and viewing in the future.
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Instructions
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Connect the Hi8 camera or deck to your computer. Turn the device on and insert the Hi8 tape.
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Transfer the footage. Non-linear editing software like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, iMovie and Windows Movie Maker capture footage directly from external devices. Choose the "Capture" option from the software's menu to bring up the capture utility. Record the entire tape, or select the section you want to transfer using the "Fast Forward" and "Rewind" controls.
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Export the footage. Drag the footage to the timeline work space of the editing software. Export the video and save it to your computer.
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Open a disk-authoring program. Windows includes DVD Maker, and iDVD comes packaged with OSX, though other programs work as well. Browse to the video file on your hard drive and add it to the disk. Choose menu and design layouts for your disk and click the "Burn" button to create a DVD.
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Tips & Warnings
Some editing software exports directly to DVD, so you may skip a step and burn a disk instead of saving to your computer. Some DVD players also burn disks, allowing you to capture the tape through your television rather than a computer.
Not all Hi8 cameras have the proper connections for your computer. You may have to copy the tape to another format in order to capture the footage. Remember that analog footage degrades slightly with each transfer.
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Resources
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