Wanted Video Camera/Player for Hi8 Tapes

Seems our old Sony Camera has gone belly up. I don't care that it doesn't record... but it also doesn't play... so we don't have any way to transfer our tapes to files or DVD.

Looking to borrow your old Hi8 camera to transfer my tapes, or buy it from you.

[Have already investigated service to do transfer, too expensive for the number of tapes we have. Have also tried eBay, but keep getting outbid around $100 and trying to find cheaper solution.]

Please holler if you've got an old camera you're willing to lend a neighbor, or part with for a cheap price.

Note: I have a work colleague also looking, so it's possible this camera would get recycled to another user.

 

I have one and would be happy to lend it out in exchange for some Tech Committtee help on how you transfer these to DVD

 

I just used Costco to transfer two HI-8 tapes to DVD. They did a great job, although not cheap.

 

Do you know how much it was per tape at Costco? We have several we need done.

 

I honestly don't remember, but I also used a coupon. Call the Costco Photo Center and ask them about pricing. I do know that it's a per DVD price so if you can fit 2 tapes on one DVD that will save you money. I had a lot of footage on both tapes so they had to put them on separate DVDs.

 

I also have a camera that you could borrow.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

I just used Costco to transfer two VHS tapes to disc, although one of the tapes probably only had about 20 minutes on it. They will stop the tape if there is longer than 3 minutes of "dead" space, and do not edit etc. I believe it was $19.99 or there about. They gave me two copies, when I said I only asked for one, they said you automatically get two. Quality seems pretty good, especially considering the VHS tapes are about 25 years old. I would like to be able to do it myself, so that I could edit down the collection of family movies.

 

You might consider a Sony Digital8 camcorder... cool thing about it is that you could use it to capture your old hi8 analog tapes via firewire to the computer. I sold mine for good $ because they are still popular for people looking to transfer their old analog video collections to digital. Just make sure you have a good backup strategy once you go all-digital!

 

eBay one and then sell it again once you're done with it =) Sony Digital8 camcorders are selling from $60-130 it seems.