How to Convert Hi8 Film to DVD Format
Hi8 film is shot using a Hi8 camera, the improved successor of the Video8 format. While it is possible to convert Hi8 footage to DVD through video service companies, you can can convert Hi8 footage to DVD by using an operational Hi8 camera or Hi8 videocassette tape deck, an analog to digital cable and a video capture device connected to your computer. The digital copy imported from the camera or deck shall be used to burn a video copy in DVD.
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Things You'll Need
- Hi8 camera or videocassette tape deck
- Analog to digital cable connecting the camera or deck to the computer or the video capture device
- Video capture device
- Cable connecting the video capture device to the computer
- Video editing software
- Computer with DVD/optical drive
- DVD burning software
- Blank DVD disc
Instructions
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Put the Hi8 videocassette tape in an operational Hi8 camera or Hi8 videocassette tape deck. If using a camera, open it in "VCR" mode. The player used for Hi8 tape playback must have the applicable analog cable that can be directly connected to the computer via the USB or FireWire port or to the hub that comes with the video capture device, which is usually connected to the computer via USB or FireWire as well. The connection depends on the instructions from the video capture device that you are using.
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Connect the cable from the Hi8 camera or deck to the applicable port in the computer or the video capture device.
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Select the "Capture" button of the video editing program and wait until it recognizes the connected camera or deck. Once the capture window appears, click the "Record" icon. Press the "Play" button on the camera or deck to begin playing the footage in the Hi8 tape. The video starts playing, and at the same time recording, as seen from the editing program's capture window. The footage plays real time during the capturing/digitizing process.
Press "ESC" to stop digitizing the Hi8 footage anytime. Start recording again by pressing the "Record" button.
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Click the DVD burning software's "File" menu. Select "Open" to browse the files in your hard drive and locate the captured/digitized video file or files you want to include in the DVD.
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Insert a blank DVD disc into your DVD drive and wait until the computer recognizes it. Choose the "Video" option in your DVD burning software to burn a DVD playable in standard DVD players. Configure the settings including the DVD name, number of discs for burning and writing speed. Confirm the DVD burning process by pressing "Record," "Burn" or any similar button. The button name depends on the software used.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the video files compatible with your DVD burning software. Captured file formats from most editing programs, such as Final Cut Pro, Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro and Sony Vegas, are readily compatible with most DVD burning programs. Popular video file formats include .mov, avi, .mp4 and .mpg.
You can actually choose whether you want your video files to be saved in your computer's internal hard drive or an external hard drive connected to your computer. Configure the editing program's "Preferences" or "Video Settings" menu to set the destination of the captured files. The menu name for this change of setting varies per editing program.
Pinnacle Systems, StarTech and Sabrent are popular video capture devices used for converting tape-based footage from older video cameras like the Hi8 to digital format.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit a dvd-r disc image by wayne ruston from Fotolia.com
