Can I copy Hi8 tapes to my mac

[rumfitt]

Please can anyone advise me. I have an old Sony Handycam which is Hi8 tape, I would really love to be able to get these tapes onto my mac somehow so I can burn them onto DVD. Can this be done? Is there a special cable I will need to buy and software? Do I need to be able to convert them in iMovie? Are there any firms that offer this service I am resident in the UK. Or is it all a Pipe Dream!

 

[solvs]

Yes, if you get a digital converter. This was just released today, and there are several others like it on the market. Or you could get a Digital8 camcorder from Sony (Hitachi used to sell one too). The low end ones won't do it, but the higher end ones do. Check eBay. I bought a DCRTRV330 from someone awhile ago, and it's got video in and out, as well as reading old Hi8 tapes. It connects to the computer via firewire.

 

[balamw]

Or you could get a Digital8 camcorder from Sony.

Note also that my middle-of-the-road 5 years ago MiniDV Sony DCR-TRV20 easily functions as an S-video/composite to Firewire converter. I have used it to take stuff off my TiVo and VHS tapes.

I presume that most firewire enabled miniDV camcorders will also do that. Maybe you can find one cheap on eBay that has a broken screen or lens or something that would not affect this function and just pass your video through it.

EDIT: There's a DCR-TRV33 with broken cassette transport listed now for parts which might do the trick http://listings.ebay.com/aw/plistings/category20333/index.html?from=R11

B