I have some old 8mm video tapes that I'd like to convert. I've dug out the old camcorder, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to play anymore. I've tried looking through the viewfinder and connecting it to the tv. I did have a little luck connecting it to the tv as I can see video but it's very distorted and when in play mode, the picture flickers (like it needs the old V hold adjustment). When I play and fast forward, it becomes a little clearer (you can tell there are people in the shots) but nothing playable/viewable.
So, what suggestions would you have to convert these movies to DVD? I have 4 tapes, three are 120 minutes and one is 60 minutes. I was hoping to be able to view through the camcorder to determine what I wanted converted as opposed to just handing over the tapes somewhere and paying by the minute, regardless of what is on the tapes.
Was thinking of converting some of these tapes as a Christmas gift.
Sounds like the camera's tape servo's gone out of adjustment.
If you've got a DVD recorder or are willing to buy one (cheap) you could get a working used 8mm video camera (cheap) and transfer the material yourself. That might be attractive depending on what the prices look like for a conversion service to do it...
Professional transfer shouldn't cost more then $80 for 4 tapes--you can edit the videos from there. Otherwise you'll need to buy/borrow an 8mm video camera.
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To follow up, I contacted a couple places. One place that has great reviews replied with the following:
Quote:
to convert to digital
media file, they are $35.00/hour, to DVD they are $12.00/hour. It will
take about 2 to3 business days to transfer them.
My questions from this:
1) Why is converting to a DVD cheaper than just providing me a media file (which is my first preference so that I can do some editing myself for a Christmas gift)?
2) If I go with the cheaper option, can't I just rip the DVD and get a media file this way?
I'm not sure it makes any sense that "media file" is more expensive than DVD. You could easily grab the Video-TS file from the DVD and edit it from there.
What on earth would they use to give the media file to you? I would suspect a DVD.
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Maybe the transfer to DVD is an additional $12.00 per hour.
Otherwise, my best guess is the difference in price means the transfer to DVD is a direct-to-dvd program. The media file requires a bit more effort.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macfury
What on earth would they use to give the media file to you? I would suspect a DVD.
That's what intrigues me too!
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So I found a place (I'll mention their name once I receive the completed product and am happy. They're doing it for $12/hr which is the cheapest I found. I'll just rip a media file from the DVD to do some editing myself.
Thanks for everyone's input. Will follow up with results.
Jason
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanadaRAM
See if you can borrow or rent a Sony Digital8 camera.
It can take both 8mm (Hi8) and Digital 8mm tapes, and it has a Firewire output that *should* be plug and play with iMovie.
They're doing it for $12/hr which is the cheapest I found. I'll just rip a media file from the DVD to do some editing myself.
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