[pyjamaman]

Hi, I have some old Video 8 tapes from Canada that I'd like to put on DVD for relatives. The camcorder they were recorded on is now long gone and all I have access to is a Sony Handycam DCR-TRV270E, which is PAL.

I tried playing back the tapes in the Handycam on the off-chance that it would forget it is PAL and play the NTSC tapes, unfortunately it didn't, all I got was a blue screen in the LCD monitor. I thought I'd at least get some kind of picture, but I guess not. I checked the menu to see if there was any way to change the Handycam from PAL to NTSC, but no luck there either.

Is my only option to purchase an NTSC camcorder from the US, or is there an alternative method of capturing NTSC video 8 tapes onto a computer?

Thanks in advance for your advice...

[senu]

Originally Posted by pyjamaman

Is my only option to purchase an NTSC camcorder from the US, or is there an alternative method of capturing NTSC video 8 tapes onto a computer?

Thanks in advance for your advice...

You certainly need a playback device which can take a native NTSC footage and output it into "intelligible " footage so Im guessing you need an NTSC camcorder

For the sake of " conversation", Some higher end Prosumer Mini Dv camcorders can record in either formats ( selectable) and playback either but I dont think this extended to Video8

While there may be Pro Spec video8 playback "decks" capable of this , they are probably rare as hen teeth and woud be costly to boot


Realistically I would scout around for a cheap and cheerful NTSC Video8 camcorder . Im have a feeling they abound in the second hand North American market .
Even here in the UK there are probably more long abandoned but still working Video 8/ Hi PAL units ( One is gathering dust in my Study and may end up in a skip eventually..)

[pyjamaman]

Thanks for the advice Senu, that completely makes sense to me. I'll start hunting for an old NTSC camcorder online.

[AdamR2]

I'm in the exact opposite situation.

My PAL Video8 Sony handycam broke down ages ago (a tape is still in there) and I have dozens of Video8 tapes in PAL format.

Converting them costs $15 Canadian/each tape.

Is there anywhere I can find a cheap PAL Video8 Camcorder online, perhaps from the UK or Europe.... eBay users in the UK want to charge me $100 in shipping on top of camera costs.


Is there like an online store with a flat fee?

[nvingo]

Europe isn't the only area to use PAL.
Although subtle differences abound in the broadcast standards, the baseband and tape formats will be common across areas of PAL, and likewise areas of NTSC.

Here is a list of countries and standards used.

[NicholasV]

Hi there
I have a similar problem and i was wondering if anyone could help me out. i bought recently a Cannon VH40 over the inetrnet that it is NTSC without realizing it. The problem is that i leave in Britain that means Pal as you know. I have some Pal dv tapes recorded previously and this camera cannot play (or transfer and capture in my computer for that matter)for the reasons mentioned above in the forum i guess. Senu mentioned something about a playback deck for the video 8 tapes. I was wondering if anyone knows if instead of selling my newly bought (and perfectly working) camera, to buy another to work with pal, if i could get one of those decks for pal dv tapes so i can always use it when i have a pal dv tape to capture in my mac.
Thank you

[MarkE19]

DV decks are (semi)pro devices and as such carry a hefty price tag. If you want to play back PAL miniDV (standard def) tapes then I suggest you just buy a miniDV camcorder - even second hand should be fine. This will allow you to play the tapes and capture the footage to a PC or Mac without the need to spend too much.

Mark.

[NicholasV]

Thank you Mark
I will have a look about that as you suggested. Nevertheless, do you know a site that sells good quality of those Dv decks just to check the price, see if is worth it because i might use it pro later on.

[bsuttie]

Sony's DSR11's a likely choice for switchable PAL / SECAM DV use.

regards

Brian

[MarkE19]

AFAIK Sony no longer make a miniDV deck, just an HDV deck, the GV-HD7000E that is priced around the £1,000 mark - see Here for a list of retailers. The older DV deck, the GVD800E etc are all discontinued but may crop up second hand at some point.
IIRC Panasonic & JVC made some DV VCR's, but yet again they are discontinued models.

Mark.

[NicholasV]

Thank you guys. Your info is very helpfull.