Looking for an 8mm Camcorder

[JRNYMAN]

I am looking for an 8mm camcorder to purchase. My Sony took a shit recently and I have a bunch of video tape that was shot with an 8mm camcorder which I need to transfer to digital. If you have one of these dinosaurs lying around and would be willing to sell it, please let me know. Although it doesn't have to be loaded with features, it must have Audio/Video out via RCA jacks and of course be in working condition.

Thanks much!

Steve

[Everett]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

[StevePerryHair]

eBay?

[Rockindeano]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

Dude, that shit was on all day long on the Fear Channel. I bought into it at first....Just found out it was a fake, but nicely done I thought.

[JRNYMAN]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

Dude, that shit was on all day long on the Fear Channel. I bought into it at first....Just found out it was a fake, but nicely done I thought.

Nicely done and for only $65,000 and filmed start to finish in 6 weeks.

[JRNYMAN]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

LOL, no I'll leave the box office hits to the pros and stick to recording my kids and the girls I coach.
Thanks! It shouldn't be too hard to find one - I hope.

[JRNYMAN]

eBay?

Yeah, I could go that route but with these cameras being such ancient technology, I guess I'd feel more comfortable if I bought it from someone whom I feel I can trust more than a complete stranger on eBay. The other thing I'm hoping is that someone will see my post who forgot they even had one and is willing to let it go really cheap.

I could rent one locally to finish this project but they're as spendy for a week's rental as I can probably buy one for. Sheesh!

[Rick]

eBay?

Yeah, I could go that route but with these cameras being such ancient technology, I guess I'd feel more comfortable if I bought it from someone whom I feel I can trust more than a complete stranger on eBay. The other thing I'm hoping is that someone will see my post who forgot they even had one and is willing to let it go really cheap.

I could rent one locally to finish this project but they're as spendy for a week's rental as I can probably buy one for. Sheesh!

Just a quick glance on Ebay and they have them aplenty. I saw one with 5 bids on it and it was at $25 with bids ending in 17 hours. It had the composite video/audio jack you need also.

[kgdjpubs]

I'd go with Digital8 as a format if I were you. Find one with that supports firewire (aka 1394 cable) and you get pure digital out --> no signal degradation. Very easy for transfer work. Use it all the time for transferring old Hi8 footage to DV tape.

[JRNYMAN]

I'd go with Digital8 as a format if I were you. Find one with that supports firewire (aka 1394 cable) and you get pure digital out --> no signal degradation. Very easy for transfer work. Use it all the time for transferring old Hi8 footage to DV tape.

Unfortunately, my tapes aren't Hi8.They're just standard 8mm. Some of the tapes are 20 years old and filmed on a camera just as old so I'm not expecting anything more than a viewable picture with sound if it happens to be there to begin with.

[kgdjpubs]

I'd go with Digital8 as a format if I were you. Find one with that supports firewire (aka 1394 cable) and you get pure digital out --> no signal degradation. Very easy for transfer work. Use it all the time for transferring old Hi8 footage to DV tape.

Unfortunately, my tapes aren't Hi8.They're just standard 8mm. Some of the tapes are 20 years old and filmed on a camera just as old so I'm not expecting anything more than a viewable picture with sound if it happens to be there to begin with.

doesn't matter--Digital8 is backwards compatible. It will play 8mm. Depending on the tape used, you may get "perfect" condition with little to no deterioration. You're obviously limited by the quality of the original camera, but unless the tape itself has gone bad (dropouts or brightening of picture being the 2 primary issues), you are set.

[Everett]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

Dude, that shit was on all day long on the Fear Channel. I bought into it at first....Just found out it was a fake, but nicely done I thought.

Same goes for paranormal activity.

[JRNYMAN]

I'd go with Digital8 as a format if I were you. Find one with that supports firewire (aka 1394 cable) and you get pure digital out --> no signal degradation. Very easy for transfer work. Use it all the time for transferring old Hi8 footage to DV tape.

Unfortunately, my tapes aren't Hi8.They're just standard 8mm. Some of the tapes are 20 years old and filmed on a camera just as old so I'm not expecting anything more than a viewable picture with sound if it happens to be there to begin with.

doesn't matter--Digital8 is backwards compatible. It will play 8mm. Depending on the tape used, you may get "perfect" condition with little to no deterioration. You're obviously limited by the quality of the original camera, but unless the tape itself has gone bad (dropouts or brightening of picture being the 2 primary issues), you are set.

So if I'm understanding you correctly, there's a camcorder that is capable of playing regular 8mm tapes as well as other variations of 8mm (Hi-8, Super 8, etc.) It was my understanding that all the other versions of the 8mm format would play nice together but that the original standard 8mm was the bastard child that can't/won't play in any other device than one specifically mad for its own kind. If that's the case, then what you suggest opens up a lot of options for me as well as the possibility that what I recover from the tapes might actually be gotten with some quality left in the picture.

I have roughly 85-100 tapes which are all home video of my kids from birth up through about 10 yrs. old or so. That's when we bought a new camera and never used the 8mm Sony again. A little over a year ago, I realized just how old the tapes are and also that they are the only copies in existence in some cases. I started transferring them to my PC via RCA to USB cable which was working just fine.... then the camcorder's life abruptly ended. I had pretty much forgotten all about the entire project until a few days ago when the wife asked me about it and reminded me that our oldest daughter is moving out on her own for the first time in about 6 weeks. The wife wants to make a video presentation for my daughter using the footage taken throughout her life so I need to get the rest of them transferred and having it done professionally is not an option.

Sorry for the novel here.... not sure why I went into all that detail.

Please elaborate on the method you are suggesting.

Thanks!

Steve

UPDATE:

After I posted the above diatribe, I did a bit of research and learned that you are absolutely correct. (I realize you're not surprised but I am. The site that offered the explanation of the whole process as well as the reasons why it's possible was very enlightening - as were you! There's definitely a lot of reasons to do it the way you suggested, (quality, speed, enhancements, etc.) Thanks for the suggestion. Without it I would not have learned this very valuable info!

[Everett]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

Dude, that shit was on all day long on the Fear Channel. I bought into it at first....Just found out it was a fake, but nicely done I thought.

Nicely done and for only $65,000 and filmed start to finish in 6 weeks.

Yup. I first saw it when i was 13 or 14 scared the CRAP outta me

[JRNYMAN]

Are you trying to make another blair witch project?

Good luck in your search

Dude, that shit was on all day long on the Fear Channel. I bought into it at first....Just found out it was a fake, but nicely done I thought.

Nicely done and for only $65,000 and filmed start to finish in 6 weeks.

Yup. I first saw it when i was 13 or 14 scared the CRAP outta me

It didn't so much scare the crap outta me as it annoyed me... or I should say the chick annoyed the fuck outta me! I was hoping she would get snuffed by halfway through the movie. I just wished it would have been one of the guys she was with. That would have been sweet vengeance!

[JRNYMAN]

eBay?

Yeah, I could go that route but with these cameras being such ancient technology, I guess I'd feel more comfortable if I bought it from someone whom I feel I can trust more than a complete stranger on eBay. The other thing I'm hoping is that someone will see my post who forgot they even had one and is willing to let it go really cheap.

I could rent one locally to finish this project but they're as spendy for a week's rental as I can probably buy one for. Sheesh!

Just a quick glance on Ebay and they have them aplenty. I saw one with 5 bids on it and it was at $25 with bids ending in 17 hours. It had the composite video/audio jack you need also.

Cool beans! Thanks Rick, I'm still exploring all my options but if it ends up being eBay, then so be it. I've done PLENTY of commerce on eBay and with the exception of just a couple of minor issues I've come out pretty much unscathed. *knocks wood*

[kgdjpubs]

I'd go with Digital8 as a format if I were you. Find one with that supports firewire (aka 1394 cable) and you get pure digital out --> no signal degradation. Very easy for transfer work. Use it all the time for transferring old Hi8 footage to DV tape.

Unfortunately, my tapes aren't Hi8.They're just standard 8mm. Some of the tapes are 20 years old and filmed on a camera just as old so I'm not expecting anything more than a viewable picture with sound if it happens to be there to begin with.

doesn't matter--Digital8 is backwards compatible. It will play 8mm. Depending on the tape used, you may get "perfect" condition with little to no deterioration. You're obviously limited by the quality of the original camera, but unless the tape itself has gone bad (dropouts or brightening of picture being the 2 primary issues), you are set.

So if I'm understanding you correctly, there's a camcorder that is capable of playing regular 8mm tapes as well as other variations of 8mm (Hi-8, Super 8, etc.) It was my understanding that all the other versions of the 8mm format would play nice together but that the original standard 8mm was the bastard child that can't/won't play in any other device than one specifically mad for its own kind. If that's the case, then what you suggest opens up a lot of options for me as well as the possibility that what I recover from the tapes might actually be gotten with some quality left in the picture.

I have roughly 85-100 tapes which are all home video of my kids from birth up through about 10 yrs. old or so. That's when we bought a new camera and never used the 8mm Sony again. A little over a year ago, I realized just how old the tapes are and also that they are the only copies in existence in some cases. I started transferring them to my PC via RCA to USB cable which was working just fine.... then the camcorder's life abruptly ended. I had pretty much forgotten all about the entire project until a few days ago when the wife asked me about it and reminded me that our oldest daughter is moving out on her own for the first time in about 6 weeks. The wife wants to make a video presentation for my daughter using the footage taken throughout her life so I need to get the rest of them transferred and having it done professionally is not an option.

Sorry for the novel here.... not sure why I went into all that detail.

Please elaborate on the method you are suggesting.

Thanks!

Steve

Steve,
I think I know where the confusion may lie. There is 8mm movie film and 8mm video tape--and they are totally different formats. 8mm movie film (and the better Super8) is reel-to-reel movie film. Depending on how much length there is, the processed film can range in size from something about the size of a cd up to a vinyl lp. 8mm tape (and the better Hi8) is a video tape format that records on what is roughly the same size as an audio casette. You have 8mm tape as there is simply no way of transferring 8mm movie film without either a) a very expensive transferring machine, or b) shooting the projected film on a wall or screen. Make sense?

I just looked at the manual for the camera I have (Sony TRV-840...also same basic system as 240, 340 and 740 camcorders--you can download the manual online). It says it will play 8mm in addition to Hi8 and Digital8. I don't have any 8mm tapes here, as I never shot the format, but I know someone who has transferred 8mm with a Digital8 camcorder with success. Checked with another friend who has done a BUNCH of transferring, and his comment was that he had seen some 8mm tapes that wouldn't play on certain cameras, but would on others. In other words, it's the specific camera itself that wouldn't support 8mm. As long as the tape size is identical (basically the size of an audio cassette), it should be fine in theory. Sony should be able to confirm if you call them.

Either way, once you have a Digital8 camera that has a firewire (aka 1394) port, you can get a firewire to USB cable which will be perfect resolution of whatever is left....as opposed to degrading by using a RCA cable. With a Digital8 camera, you can do a pure digital transfer of the tapes with no quality loss.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more assistance/clarification,
Kevin

[JRNYMAN]

I'd go with Digital8 as a format if I were you. Find one with that supports firewire (aka 1394 cable) and you get pure digital out --> no signal degradation. Very easy for transfer work. Use it all the time for transferring old Hi8 footage to DV tape.

Unfortunately, my tapes aren't Hi8.They're just standard 8mm. Some of the tapes are 20 years old and filmed on a camera just as old so I'm not expecting anything more than a viewable picture with sound if it happens to be there to begin with.

doesn't matter--Digital8 is backwards compatible. It will play 8mm. Depending on the tape used, you may get "perfect" condition with little to no deterioration. You're obviously limited by the quality of the original camera, but unless the tape itself has gone bad (dropouts or brightening of picture being the 2 primary issues), you are set.

So if I'm understanding you correctly, there's a camcorder that is capable of playing regular 8mm tapes as well as other variations of 8mm (Hi-8, Super 8, etc.) It was my understanding that all the other versions of the 8mm format would play nice together but that the original standard 8mm was the bastard child that can't/won't play in any other device than one specifically mad for its own kind. If that's the case, then what you suggest opens up a lot of options for me as well as the possibility that what I recover from the tapes might actually be gotten with some quality left in the picture.

I have roughly 85-100 tapes which are all home video of my kids from birth up through about 10 yrs. old or so. That's when we bought a new camera and never used the 8mm Sony again. A little over a year ago, I realized just how old the tapes are and also that they are the only copies in existence in some cases. I started transferring them to my PC via RCA to USB cable which was working just fine.... then the camcorder's life abruptly ended. I had pretty much forgotten all about the entire project until a few days ago when the wife asked me about it and reminded me that our oldest daughter is moving out on her own for the first time in about 6 weeks. The wife wants to make a video presentation for my daughter using the footage taken throughout her life so I need to get the rest of them transferred and having it done professionally is not an option.

Sorry for the novel here.... not sure why I went into all that detail.

Please elaborate on the method you are suggesting.

Thanks!

Steve

Steve,
I think I know where the confusion may lie. There is 8mm movie film and 8mm video tape--and they are totally different formats. 8mm movie film (and the better Super8) is reel-to-reel movie film. Depending on how much length there is, the processed film can range in size from something about the size of a cd up to a vinyl lp. 8mm tape (and the better Hi8) is a video tape format that records on what is roughly the same size as an audio casette. You have 8mm tape as there is simply no way of transferring 8mm movie film without either a) a very expensive transferring machine, or b) shooting the projected film on a wall or screen. Make sense?

I just looked at the manual for the camera I have (Sony TRV-840...also same basic system as 240, 340 and 740 camcorders--you can download the manual online). It says it will play 8mm in addition to Hi8 and Digital8. I don't have any 8mm tapes here, as I never shot the format, but I know someone who has transferred 8mm with a Digital8 camcorder with success. Checked with another friend who has done a BUNCH of transferring, and his comment was that he had seen some 8mm tapes that wouldn't play on certain cameras, but would on others. In other words, it's the specific camera itself that wouldn't support 8mm. As long as the tape size is identical (basically the size of an audio cassette), it should be fine in theory. Sony should be able to confirm if you call them.

Either way, once you have a Digital8 camera that has a firewire (aka 1394) port, you can get a firewire to USB cable which will be perfect resolution of whatever is left....as opposed to degrading by using a RCA cable. With a Digital8 camera, you can do a pure digital transfer of the tapes with no quality loss.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more assistance/clarification,
Kevin

You must have been typing your latest reply at the same time I was updating mine which precluded you from seeing the updated post in which I explained that I had done some quick research and discovered that you are absolutely right. I also complimented the crap out of you so you'd better scroll back up and read it damn-it! LOL!

It wasn't the difference between the media used in the two different 8mm formats which confused me. It was the fact that I swore I had read somewhere that standard 8mm tape which was all the rage in the late 80's and early 90's was actually a different size/format than that used with its predecessors, (Hi-8, etc.) and therefore the two could not be played in the same device due to the incompatibilities presented by those differences.

Thanks again for taking the time to educate me and help me out with this. Isn't it just freakin' great when 2 people can have a discussion about something online where one is schooling the other and at the end of the conversation neither is threatening to rape the other's family and cut the heads off of their respective pets? LMAO!!!

In the immortal words of Bruce Springsteen, "You're the goods, babe!"

[kgdjpubs]

You must have been typing your latest reply at the same time I was updating mine which precluded you from seeing the updated post in which I explained that I had done some quick research and discovered that you are absolutely right. I also complimented the crap out of you so you'd better scroll back up and read it damn-it! LOL!

yes, I noticed that after the fact. Nice to be appreciated every now and then!

It wasn't the difference between the media used in the two different 8mm formats which confused me. It was the fact that I swore I had read somewhere that standard 8mm tape which was all the rage in the late 80's and early 90's was actually a different size/format than that used with its predecessors, (Hi-8, etc.) and therefore the two could not be played in the same device due to the incompatibilities presented by those differences.

Thanks again for taking the time to educate me and help me out with this.

8mm predated Hi8. Hi8, which came out in roughly 1989ish was simply an improved resolution of regular 8mm, and 8mm fell out of fashion fairly quickly.

Isn't it just freakin' great when 2 people can have a discussion about something online where one is schooling the other and at the end of the conversation neither is threatening to rape the other's family and cut the heads off of their respective pets? LMAO!!!

In the immortal words of Bruce Springsteen, "You're the goods, babe!"

Keep up with the Bruce Springsteen comments and the threats will return in VERY short order!
Kevin

[JRNYMAN]

Keep up with the Bruce Springsteen comments and the threats will return in VERY short order!
Kevin

THERE it is... I knew something seemed not quite right - especially considering which website/forum we're having this discussion in....

[JRNYMAN]

Keep up with the Bruce Springsteen comments and the threats will return in VERY short order!
Kevin

THERE it is... I knew something seemed not quite right - especially considering which website/forum we're having this discussion in....

One last question Kevin if I may....

Considering the superior quality and the many benefits of a Digital8 camcorder, what can I expect to pay for a used camera? Any idea? I haven't started to search for one yet just thought I'd ask hoping you might know.

Again, thanks!

Steve

[kgdjpubs]

Keep up with the Bruce Springsteen comments and the threats will return in VERY short order!
Kevin

THERE it is... I knew something seemed not quite right - especially considering which website/forum we're having this discussion in....

One last question Kevin if I may....

Considering the superior quality and the many benefits of a Digital8 camcorder, what can I expect to pay for a used camera? Any idea? I haven't started to search for one yet just thought I'd ask hoping you might know.

Again, thanks!

Steve

looking at completed listings on Ebay, I see a TRV840 sold for $265--and that was after a bidding war. No idea how often they turn up, and mine is not for sale! Considering all you want is the firewire port, you can go for a cheaper model instead of the top-of-the-line model.

[kgdjpubs]

Keep up with the Bruce Springsteen comments and the threats will return in VERY short order!
Kevin

THERE it is... I knew something seemed not quite right - especially considering which website/forum we're having this discussion in....

prodding for a reaction, huh? Well, that should be expected here...

[JRNYMAN]

Keep up with the Bruce Springsteen comments and the threats will return in VERY short order!
Kevin

THERE it is... I knew something seemed not quite right - especially considering which website/forum we're having this discussion in....

prodding for a reaction, huh? Well, that should be expected here...

And ya know.... I do. I've lurked on this site for a little over 3 years and although I didn't start posting and participating in discussions until a couple of months ago, I feel like I know so many of the regular posters here just due to the fact that I've followed their discussions, rants, fights, humorous banter, etc. And since I began posting I've had to stop myself from replying in a way that's too familiar or post a smartass reply - even though I might have been completely joking. I have to stop myself and remind myself that just because I sorta know them, they don't know me and have no reason whatsoever to give me the benefit of the doubt. It sorta suck to some extent but then again it's my own damn fault for being such a pussy and avoiding interaction here just because of the high homicide rate, the violence against women, children and minorities that takes place each and every day and .... okay, enough with the funny guy routine. Luckily, there are a few very cool people here who know me or remember me from the Journey forums (BackTalk as well as JF. When JF shut down a while back, I spent a fair amount of time in the Plokker's forum) as well as AP's official site.

Fact is, this is the most sedate I've ever seen this place. You'd never know Journey released an album a week ago, that's for sure.

[Rip Rokken]

Isn't it just freakin' great when 2 people can have a discussion about something online where one is schooling the other and at the end of the conversation neither is threatening to rape the other's family and cut the heads off of their respective pets? LMAO!!!

It definitely is... which message board are you talking about though?



If you are still looking for an 8mm cam, I may be willing to part with my Samsung SCL810 (Hi if it's compatible. It's about 8 years old but in new condition, with probably less than 6 hours total use. Got it as a gift and recorded my daughter's birth (they didn't actually let us film the 'birthing', I'm sure for legal liability reasons in case someone screwed up). Other than that, it's in perfect condition. Heck, it even still has the stickers on it.