[infoman]

Hi there

I an old Sony CCD-TR1100E Hi8 video camera which no longer seems to work. When tapes are played there is sparkles on the screen at various points and no sound comes out. I have cleaned the heads with a tape cleaner but that's made no difference. It's certainly not worth repairing.

I would like to get all the tapes, mainly Hi8 but some 8mm, onto a computer at some point or at least have the option to do so over time. However after doing some research on here, I read that Digital8 cameras have problems playing Hi8/8mm recordings made in LP. Of course I mostly recorded in LP as it was cheaper to do so.

Will it be a problem if I wish to buy a second hand Sony Digital8 video camera, purely to play my tapes from? Would I be better off buying an AVDV convert in this case and trying to find an old Sony Hi8 video camera that still works? I need to make sure of course that what ever I use includes a Time base correction at some point in the process. It would also be useful to be able to pass through VHS tapes. However the Hi8/8mm is far more important. VHS could be dealt with using other means later.

Now days do all my recording to MiniDV via a Panasonic NV-GS500, which I purchased in July 2006. At the time I purchased it I decided I was better off purchasing a camera for my needs now, rather than worrying about whether it would play legacy formats. It seems I was right since Sony gave up on the Digital 8. Of course I record to MiniDV as LP but again it's because I can store more per tape and it's cheaper to do so. I've given tapes to 1 other person before and they haven't had any problems recording them straight to DVD.

Any comments or advice would be gratefully received?

Kind regards

Tim
PS What is the purpose of tags? Does it help when people search? I would like to have put LP in it but it's considered too short.

[senu]

Originally Posted by infoman

Will it be a problem if I wish to buy a second hand Sony Digital8 video camera, purely to play my tapes from? Would I be better off buying an AVDV convert in this case and trying to find an old Sony Hi8 video camera that still works?

Better option although this involves buying 2 bits of kit.

However the I need to make sure of course that what ever I use includes a Time base correction at some point in the process. It would also be useful to be able to pass through VHS tapes. However the Hi8/8mm is far more important. VHS could be dealt with using other means later.

TBC is an additional cost option not available in any D8 or even lower end ADVC kit. If you need it you may need deep pockets,,

Now days do all my recording to MiniDV via a Panasonic NV-GS500, which I purchased in July 2006. At the time I purchased it I decided I was better off purchasing a camera for my needs now, rather than worrying about whether it would play legacy formats. It seems I was right since Sony gave up on the Digital 8

Good thinking . I bought into MiniDv too ( Earlier models MX350/500 ) for the same reasons even though I still have a usable D8 camcorder , and was similarly proved right

. Of course I record to MiniDV as LP but again it's because I can store more per tape and it's cheaper to do so. I've given tapes to 1 other person before and they haven't had any problems recording them straight to DVD

With due respect , you have been lucky.. LP is fraught wth issues
Even the same brand of camcorder , let alone differen brands handle LP differntly.
I speak as one who havs had several SD MiniDV, a D8 and now one or 3 HDV tape camcorders.. LP is maily for expediency, not the norm

PS What is the purpose of tags? Does it help when people search? I would like to have put LP in it but it's considered too short.

I wouldnt worry about it
LP would tag for long playing vinyl record , not Long play mode on tape any way as it is less usual

[Peter Brereton]

Sorry for the short reply, here's a re-hash of my previous message. I've recently digitised my own collection of 8mm tapes ...some from 20 years ago, recorded on various camcorders in both LP & SP modes without any problems. I used a GV-D200E & DCR-TRV480E. I've only experienced LP compatibility problem with mini DV recordings.

All Sony Digital 8 PAL (UK system) models. Models marked * will play old 8mm analogue PAL recordings made in Standard 8, HI8, in both (SP) and (LP) modes. All models marked * have switchable timebase correction.

Peter

DCR-TR7000E *
DCR-TR7100E *
DCR-TR8000E *
DCR-TR8100E *
DCR-TRV110E *
DCR-TRV120E *
DCR-TRV125E *
DCR-TRV130E
DCR-TRV140E
DCR-TRV145E
DCR-TRV147E
DCR-TRV210E *
DCR-TRV230E *
DCR-TRV235E *
DCR-TRV238E *
DCR-TRV239E *
DCR-TRV240E *
DCR-TRV241E *
DCR-TRV245E
DCR-TRV250E
DCR-TRV255E
DCR-TRV265E
DCR-TRV270E
DCR-TRV285E
DCR-TRV310E *
DCR-TRV320E *
DCR-TRV325E *
DCR-TRV330E *
DCR-TRV340E *
DCR-TRV341E *
DCR-TRV345E *
DCR-TRV355E *
DCR-TRV356E *
DCR-TRV410E *
DCR-TRV420E *
DCR-TRV430E *
DCR-TRV460E *
DCR-TRV461E *
DCR-TRV480E *
DCR-TRV510E *
DCR-TRV520E *
DCR-TRV525E *
DCR-TRV530E *
DCR-TRV620E *
DCR-TRV720E *
DCR-TRV725E *
DCR-TRV730E *
DCR-TRV738E *
DCR-TRV740E *
DCR-TRV820E *
DCR-TRV828E *
DCR-TRV830E *

Deck only ( No camera )
GV-D200E *
GV-D800E *

[senu]

Good luck in finding one
.Last D8 was manufactured in 2007 or so. The latter models did not have backwards compatibility with Hi8 /8mm
Im not sure how the Lp issue works but yull find out when you get one

[infoman]

Thank you Senu and Peter for your replies. Most helpful.

Why does LP cause so many problems for MiniDV? The manual certainly doesn't give the impression it should be avoid but then when have manuals ever been critical. I like LP because if I'm filming a concert for example, I can get more on one tape. Hi8's could last for 3 hours (if using 90 min tape) so I could get a complete concert on one tape. Now I have to use 2 tapes in some cases, even when recording using LP mode. Tapes are not cheap when one is videoing from pleasure rather than profit. Even videoing now and again for family events or when out walking in the countryside quickly fills up tapes.

I got into MiniDV because hard disc recorders were not as good in summer 2006. Have they improved? Not that I'm wish to upgrade any time soon as my camera is fine for quite a few years yet.

Anyway I will look into the cameras you mention and wait for something reasonably priced to come along.

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by infoman

Thank you Senu and Peter for your replies. Most helpful.

Why does LP cause so many problems for MiniDV? The manual certainly doesn't give the impression it should be avoid but then when have manuals ever been critical. I like LP because if I'm filming a concert for example, I can get more on one tape. Hi8's could last for 3 hours (if using 90 min tape) so I could get a complete concert on one tape. Now I have to use 2 tapes in some cases, even when recording using LP mode. Tapes are not cheap when one is videoing from pleasure rather than profit. Even videoing now and again for family events or when out walking in the countryside quickly fills up tapes.

I got into MiniDV because hard disc recorders were not as good in summer 2006. Have they improved? Not that I'm wish to upgrade any time soon as my camera is fine for quite a few years yet.

Anyway I will look into the cameras you mention and wait for something reasonably priced to come along.

it is a fact mini dv tapes recorded in lp usualy play fine in the machine used to record them but very often give trouble playing on any other machine,i always used sp in my mini dv days, if your cam records fine in lp and the recordings are not being used on other machines so be it,i think tapes are cheap now at around a pound each if you search.

[dafo.dill]

Hi Guys,

With regard to the post by Peter Brereton and the lovely list you show, can I ask a question about it? You say that :-

'Models marked * will play old 8mm analogue PAL recordings made in Standard 8, HI8, in both (SP) and (LP) modes.'

Does this mean that these models can convert Hi-8 tapes to digital or that they can record onto hi-8?

I am looking to buy a sony DCR camcorder but I'm having trouble getting a definitive list of the ones that convert hi-8 rather than the ones that will record onto hi-8 tapes. In particular, do you know if the TRV-320E's can convert my hi-8 to digital?

Sorry if it seems I'm asking the same question.

thanks

[Peter Brereton]

Models with asterisk will convert all pal recorded 8mm formats & output the signal in digital form via the Firewire connector. The DCR-TRV320E will do this. None of the DCR range of camcorders record in analogue mode although tapes marked Hi8 can be used for digital 8 recording.
HTH
Peter

[dafo.dill]

Thanks Peter.

And thanks for taking the time to write the list out in the first place.

Do any of you have experience where to get any of those camera's online or in shops in Europe? I can't seem to find any, except some very expensive D800's.

[BoomBoomBarney]

I have a Sony DCR-TR7000E in good working order.....

If it's of use to you, feel free to make me an offer.

[senu]

Originally Posted by BoomBoomBarney

I have a Sony DCR-TR7000E in good working order.....

If it's of use to you, feel free to make me an offer.

If you are loaning it for a fee.. fine
If offering it for sale
Classified Ads.

[BoomBoomBarney]

Apologies....

Item now in classifieds.