How do I Convert Hi8 to 1394 Firewire?

You can convert your Hi8 tape to 1394 Firewire.

Hi8 was first introduced in the late 1980s as an improvement on the then popular 8mm home consumer tape format. Although the format has since been supplanted by the DV (Digital Video) format, Hi8 still remains in use. Firewire and 1394 cables are the industry standard for transferring the DV format across computers. Although they are the same protocol, Firewire is the name brand used by Apple, while 1394 cable is the industry standard name. You can use a device called a breakout box to convert your Hi8 tapes for transferring over both Firewire and 1394 cable.

Things You'll Need

• Breakout box
• RCA cables

Instructions

1. Connect the breakout box to your computer. How this is done depends exactly on your model of breakout box. The majority of these will connect to your computer through a USB or 1394 port. Install any software that came with the breakout box. Connect the box to a AC power source, if needed.

2. Set up your Hi8 camera next to the breakout box. Ensure that the battery is fully charged or that it is plugged in to an AC outlet.

3. Connect the audio and video outputs on the Hi8 camera to the audio and video inputs on your breakout box. In the majority of cases, the Hi8 camera will have RCA type connectors. These are the barrel shaped connectors seen on many TVs, VCRs and stereos. There will be one yellow-colored output for the video, and either one (white) or two (white and red) outputs for audio. Connect the outputs on the camera to the inputs on the breakout box using an RCA cable.

4. Start your capture software. This could either be the capture software that came with your operating system (iMovie on Apple, Windows Live Movie Maker on PC), or your breakout box might have come with capture software. Ensure that the input in the capture software is set to and recognizes your breakout box.

5. Rewind your Hi8 tape to the point where you want to begin capturing. Use the tape viewfinder or monitor to find the correct position.

6. Press "Start" or "Record" in your capture software. Hit "Play" in your Hi8 camera. Monitor the progress of your capture in the "Preview" window in your capture software. End the capture by pressing "Stop" or "End Capture" in your software. Stop the Hi8 camera.

7. Export the captured file to DV (digital video). This format is compatable with Firewire and IEEE1394 devices. From your capture program's main menu, select "Export." A screen will pop up with a number of choices. Look for "Recording Codec" or "Compression Format." Ensure that "DV" is selected. Press "OK" or "Export." Allow the computer to render the file. The completed file will be compressed in DV format for transfer through 1394 or Firewire.

Tips & Warnings

• Some breakout boxes will automatically encode imported analog video into DV format for transfer in Firewire or 1394 cables. Check your manufacturer's guide for more information.

References

• Video Help: Capture Guides

Resources

• Microsoft Support: Using 1394 Devices With Windows XP