[Back Packer]

I have around 50 hours of un-edited Video 8 recordings which I wish to transfer to DVD by the quickest means possible before any obvious tape degradation occurs or my aging Sony EV-C45E video cassette recorder finally expires as this is my sole means of playback.

I do not have the time or inclination at present to edit the tapes before transfer but would like to have the option to do so at my leisure once archiving to DVD has been completed.

As I am intending in any case to purchase a DVD recorder/player, I would like to know -

1. Would it be possible to connect the Sony Video 8 recorder/player to the DVD recorder using my LCD TV as a monitor and then to transfer the tapes with the minimum amount of intervention other than to insert the media and start both players running ?

2. Would the contents of the resulting DVD’s be editable subsequently when time permits ?

3. What is the recommended hook-up for this method of transfer?

The Video 8 tapes each contain around 60 – 90 minutes of recording.
The Sony Video 8 recorder has output via Euro-AV 21 pin scart connector and Line Out video and audio jacks.

[redsox_mark]

You are on the right track - a set top DVD recorder is by far the easiest way to do this.

1. Would it be possible to connect the Sony Video 8 recorder/player to the DVD recorder using my LCD TV as a monitor and then to transfer the tapes with the minimum amount of intervention other than to insert the media and start both players running ?

Yes. You'd set the DVD recorder to the AV input, then press play on the Video8 machine and record on the DVD recorder.

2. Would the contents of the resulting DVD’s be editable subsequently when time permits ?

Yes.

3. What is the recommended hook-up for this method of transfer?

The Video8 will only have composite video out - either with the scart or with the video and audio jacks; you can use either (the video/audio jacks are probably more convienent, they are often on the front of the recorder).

[Papua]

you should also look at a dvd recorder that has timebase correction to get the best quality image. I have a sony with this feature and the transfers look fantastic. I have a philips without this feature and the transfers jump occasionally.

Originally Posted by Papua

you should also look at a dvd recorder that has timebase correction to get the best quality image. I have a sony with this feature and the transfers look fantastic. I have a philips without this feature and the transfers jump occasionally.

On the Sony DVDR does the TBC work on input? I am not sure if this is correct. I have a Philips S-VHS tape deck which has TBC which works on playback only - which is where I need it of course

[Papua]

Yes, the sony works on the signal that is input to it so that there is no jitter before encoding. I believe that there are many others that do the same, but not cheaper models. Mine is a few years old now when manufacturers used to claim if they had it or not. Nowadays they don't seem to shout about it, so it would be worth checking out the technical specs of a few and asking dealers too make sure. As I mentioned above there is a big difference of quality of what is recorded from my old vhs & video 8 sources between the philips and sony. Whereas on digital tv, there is no noticeable difference.

[Back Packer]

Thanks to everyone for your advice. Now to get a DVD recorder.

[Back Packer]

When copying Video 8 tapes using a DVD recorder would DVD-R be the recommended format for best playback compatibility with other DVD players/recorders or through my computer ?

Also, would the footage from the resulting DVD's need any further conversion before editing using a package such as Ulead VideoStudio 10 ?

[redsox_mark]

Yes - DVD-R tends to be the most compatible. Be sure to use quality media.

And Video Studio can import video from DVD and edit it directly. No conversion needed.

[Back Packer]

Thanks Mark once again for your help.
That seems to be all the questions, now for they action.

Philip