<p>We no longer have an 8mm video camera that works, but do have twenty-somewhat tapes of the kids’ childhoods. I’d like to easily transfer them onto multiple copies of DVDs. What recommendations to you have to efficiently and safely do this? I am reluctant to send them out for fear that they will get lost … but I am overwhelmed with the task of somehow doing this myself.</p>
<p>Ideas?</p>
<p>Take the tape to a local pro level camera store and they can probably copy the tape to DVD. You will then have a “master” that you can use to burn additional copies on your computer.</p>
<p>Thanks. I think that is very costly and understand that there is a way to do this at home with some sort of machine that copies 8mm and VHS to DVD. Perhaps someone has done this …</p>
<p>In Consumer Reports a few months ago (perhaps the May or June issue?), there was an article about transferring music from albums to CDs, and I am pretty sure there was some mention of transferring 8mm and VHS to DVD. (I’m not positive, because I’m at work and don’t have the issue with me). I wasn’t interested in the video part, so I didn’t read it all that carefully. </p>
<p>I was interested in being able to transfer music from our old albums to CD and MP3, and the issue had several helpful suggestions about how to do it yourself, including advice on what equipment and what software you would need. We ended up getting the equipment and software we needed for well under $200, which we thought was great. I think, but again I’m not positive, that there was some mention of how to transfer the movies yourself. In any case, it’d be worth checking it out, because I think it also had advice about aspects of sending the old movies out for someone else to transfer for you and some discussion of cost.</p>
<p>We bought a DVD/VHS combo recorder last year that dubbs both ways precisely for the same reason–to convert all the old home videos to DVD. We research two models–one by Sony and one by LG and ended up buying the LG one as it seemed more versatile as far as being able to play most formats. The cost was around $400. We think it is worth it as we are able to convert VHS tapes to DVD easily and also record TV programs to DVDs directly if we want. However, it will not convert 8 mm directly, you would need to first convert to VHS.</p>
<p>I just found the Consumer Reports issue in which I had found information about this. It’s the June 2007 issue, pp. 28-9. They recommend not doing it yourself if you’re converting Super 8 film because of the cost of the necessary equipment, but they give information about a number of different places that can convert to DVD for you, and it seems the prices vary rather widely. Anyhow, I’d recommend reading the article to get some ideas and recommendations.</p>
<p>We bought a machine that transfers video to dvd for 230. and offset the cost by sharing the unit and expense with other family members who needed it.</p>
<p>Look for a Sony Digital 8 camcorder that will both play analog 8mm tapes and will also convert them to digital. We bought one a year or so ago for >$300. All you need to do is plug it into a PC or DVD burner. It’s slow, but we find it much cheaper than spending $30+ per tape to get it done professionally.</p>
<p>I did the same thing with Hi-8 and VHS. I just did it myself by buying a DVD recorder (they’re pretty cheap now - < $200) and connecting my Hi-8 camera to it in the one case and a VHS player in the other case. </p>
<p>After you transfer them to DVD you can copy the contents of the DVD to your PC’s hard disk and have a backup location if you want by just copying t he files from the DVD. You can then watch it on the PC/laptop directly from the hard disk.</p>
<p>THere is a website called HomeMovie.com. If you send them your old videos (not sure about 8mm) they have a service where you start an account with them and can edit them online, then either download them yourself onto DVD, or they will do it for you. I sent in our old baby videos, and because I’m so lame at computer-related everything, have yet to edit them. I should get going though, because after a certain amount of time they charge you for “keeping” them for you. They do return your originals.</p>
<p>Boojum, Did you buy a new Sony that plays 8mm and digital? Or was it used? I have the same problem–my old 8mm camcorder doesn’t work, but I didn’t see any of the digital8 cameras in the stores.</p>
<p>Are you sure you’re talking about “video”, “VHS” and “Camcorder” when referring to 8mm and Super 8?</p>
<p>I thought 8mm and Super 8 were film that needed to be developed (as opposed to tape that can just be played.)</p>
<p>I’m fairly certain that converting 8mm and super 8 film to video tape or DVD requires specialized equipment - if you want decent quality reproduction. However, some people still have their old 8/super 8 projectors, and they just take a video of the movies as they are projected on a screen…sort of like the bootleg DVD versions of current movies that come out within days of the movie opening. Although there is a decrease in picture quality, one of the nicer aspects of reproducing the film this way is that you can add sound and commentary (which wasn’t available with most home 8mm and Super 8 cameras.)</p>
<p>I am referring to 8mm videotape that was made for camcorders (I had a Nikon) in the mid-late 1980’s. I did transfer the first few to VHS but most of my tapes are still in the 8mm videotape small cartridges.</p>
<p>We’ve had our 8mm film (from when we were kids) transferred onto VHS years ago. Now I need to get that transferred to DVD too!</p>