What is the easiest and cheapest way to convert few VHS (Hi8) cassette content to DVD format in U.K.?

Find a Digital8 camcorder. Digital8 cameras can read your Hi-8 cassettes. Sony still makes them, and you can purchase one for a very economical price from places like Amazon. If you can also borrow one from someone. Connect the Digital8 camera from the Firewire (or i.Link) port on the camera to the computer the same way you connect miniDV camcorders. You can then use Windows Movie Maker in Windows or iMovie in iLife on a Mac to capture and edit your Hi-8 video. You will probably need to add an external hard drive if you do not have at least 320gb of free space. We recommend getting a 500gb USB hard drive (for $100 USD) or larger.

link VHS player output to DVD recorder input, play VHS, record DVD

HI, check around the people you know - you'd be amazed how many use/have a camcorder hidden away and many of these are capable of playing Hi8 tapes (including some that play Digital8 tapes - size is the same but format is not quite the same ... don't worry the camcorder will either play them or it won't. It doesn't damage either the camcorder or the tapes even if it won't play them). Another alternative is to post a "Wanted" ad on Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) and ask if someone is getting rid of a camcorder that will play them - you'd be surprised what people GIVE AWAY! Once you've located a camcorder use the 3.5mm output socket and the phono connectors on the DVD recorder; sleect the channel (AV1, AV2 etc) and record away Hope this helps Tony