Video 8 - NTSC Tapes with PAL Camcorder?

[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.