I have a first generation TRV-103 that is similar to yours.

The early generation 100 series did play analog tapes. Could I use the camera's s-video out instead and connect to an external TBC + DV converter (as mentioned) and get the 'better to best' results you're talking about? Or is their something about the fact that my camera is, first and formost, a Digital8 camera that would prohibit me from getting the same results a dedicated Hi8 cam/deck would give? Hope that makes more sense. I have a bunch of family Video8 cassettes and specifically sought out this model for its analog pass-thru via firewire, aka 'iLink.' I have used it to capture the Video8 tapes to Final Cut Pro on a Mac.īut based on your comments above, I'm now curious if using the firewire out is the best way to go. I can confirm that this model does play analog tapes. If you are asking about your D8 recorded tapes, you are better using the Firewire output. Your TRV120 won't play Video8 or Hi8 legacy analog tapes. Is there a fundamental difference in how a Hi8 cam processes analog video versus a Digital8 cam that makes the former a better choice? That is, why couldn't I use the s-video out of a Digital8 cam + TBC + DV converter, as mentioned above, and get similar quality results? I don't understand your question. I have seen dedicated Hi8 cams previously recommended here as being superior for analog tape capture.

I have a Digital8 camcorder (Sony TRV120) with analog output as well as DV firewire. Or is that risky, given that my own Sony Video8 analog camera died in its sleep? (It worked fine, until it didn't work at all.) Digital8 (with analog tape playback capability) is the easiest way to go and will have 'good' quality to DV Firewire.įor 'better to best' quality you would use a good Hi8 cam/deck + TBC + DV converter. So, for converting old, somewhat degraded analog Video8, would buying a used Digital8 camcorder be my best bet for good quality at the lowest cost?

Hi8 analog to digital converter box