How to get Hi8 video to a computer?

Transfering Hi8 cassette film from a Sony TRV208E to my computer.?

• I have the above video camera and many,many cassettes over many years ago that I wish to edit on my computer. The only procedure shown in the handbook is using a VHS recorder and TV. Firstly, the camera is supplied only with an A/V connecting cable. There is an S-video out port too. My husband has a Panasonic DV camera ( NV-MX500B) but this machine only handles smaller cassettes. How can I get his camera to RECORD the cassetes off my Hi8 machine, because I am able to use my computer for editing in this instance. Also, is there any way that I make this transfer with additional cables/software/ or another external device attached to my computer other than a VHS machine? My computer is a Compaq Presario SR5107 with a IEEE 1394 port. It's plenty big enough to handle this sort of job. Many thanks to any advice from anyone!

• Answer:

  Based on what you have, the solution is to transfer your Hi8 videos to the DV camera and then download to computer via IEE1394 for editing. Considerable time needed due to double transfer. You can connect the two cameras using A/V connection - one RCA for composite video and two RCA for stereo audio. First start the recording on the Pansonic DV camera followed by playback on the Sony cam. Leave it running for the duration of the Hi8 video making sure you have sufficient recording space on the Pansonic camera. I presume you would be familiar with the transfer of video from Pansonic camera to your computer. A faster solution would require purchase of video capture equipment that can digitize the Hi8 video directly to your computer. You can search for answers here regarding this topic.