Very technical question...any takers?

[G_Eeyore]

.. hello all!

iwas wondering if anyone knows how to transfer video tape,
specifically 8mm camcorder, to a pc?.. can this even be done?... what would be needed, etc?.. thanks for the input.

regards, george

 

[LisaTx]

I've played around with video captures a bit, but I by no means know what I'm doing. Mr. Cricket knows a lot about that kind of stuff, but he won't be back until Monday.

Here's a website I found that may answer some of your questions. Video transfers

 

[G_Eeyore]

for the reply.. i actually found a video camera that has a usb port for connnection to a pc and with software for that..its by sony , now i gotta run and get it..thanks a bunch !

 

[Caskbill]

George, don't know what kind of equipment you have, but I do this on my Sony system. It's a Vaio PCV-RX580 computer, but sony makes others that will also work. Mine runs at 1.8 GHz with 80 Gb hard drive, CD, and read/write DVD.

My sony digital camera records digital video that will go directly onto the computer using Sony's iLink cable system. The camera will also play regular 8mm or Hi-8mm tapes and digitize the output and feed it directly to the computer. This enables me to work with tapes I made on earlier cameras that were analog 8mm.

The computer also came with software for editing the video, and to output the video to DVD. (It uses DVD-R, or DVD-RW disks).

The DVD drive also will write to regular CD's as CD-R, or CD-RW.

Anyway, if you want to, you can buy regular systems like this that are specifically configured to do video. I believe HP also makes a similar system.

Or, if you really want to get serious, look into the Apple computers. On the PC, much of the software used to process video was actually developed and licensed by Apple. On the downside, Apple systems for doing video can be at $4000 easily.

 

[Chris C]

Oh! I can vouch for Apple's video editing capabilities! I currently use one of those sexy new flat panel iMacs... you know the one... you've seen the TV commercials... Yup! That's the one! The one with the "bendy neck", rather resembles a desk lamp, but has a CD-RW/DVD-R Superdrive and ahem... 768MB of RAM...

With the suite of applications that come standard with Apple's new OSX, you can do just about anything relating to digital audio and video regardless of your "techie abilities" and end up with a professional looking project. It's simple, easy, and clean. A true plug and play type of deal.

Of course I say all this with a very strong bias toward the Apple/Mac platform... (been using them since 1983) if you want to do digital anything get a Mac.

I could go on and on and on and on... If you don't believe me... just look at what your friends are saying!

(A top of the line iMac with all of the aforementioned capabilities will really only set you back about $1800... drop the DVD Drive, you can pick one up for around $1400)

 

[Cricket2]

I do mostly audio editing but I (for once) do agree with getting a MAC if you are going to do a lot of video editing. The Motorola chips that MAC's use were originally designed for the video production industry and they are hands down faster than the equivalent PC doing the same task.

Now I'm going to have to listen to Chris gloat for weeks!

 

[Penny12]

<i>Disneymad faints</i>

Penny

 

[Cricket2]

Get that girl a cool towel!

It will be ok Penny, life still goes on MAC free in my house!

JC

 

[Penny12]

And you still live there...why?!?!?! Hehehe

Penny

 

[Chris C]

Me?

Gloat for weeks?

It'll be more like months, or maybe even years.

 

[Cricket2]

I knew I shouldn't have come in today.

JC

 

[Penny12]

Surrender now J.C. We have you surrounded...

Penny

 

[Cricket2]

You win this round Super MAC, but I'll be back, and when I am, I will terrorize your world with applications that you can't run and formats you just can't use!

Haaaaa ha ha ha ha!
Haaaaa ha ha ha ha!
Haaaaa ha ha ha ha!

JC

 

[LisaTx]

I've got your back, JC.

I think maybe I'll go chat tonight. Want to join me, Chris?

 

[Jeff in BigD]

LOL! You know what they say...once you go Mac, you never go back!

I guess it depends on which ideology you support - the innovative ways of Apple & Walt...or the assimilate the world ways of Microsoft & Eisner. The choice is yours

 

[Cricket2]

Can't I just assimilate the world dressed up in a Pooh costume?

JC

 

[Chris C]

Ouch Lisa.... That hurt!

JC as Pooh, hehehehe.

Sorry but I can't imagine something looking like this being able to assimilate much of ANYTHING.

 

[Cricket2]

Don't forget the "Sta-puft Marshmallow Man"!

JC

 

[Ricola]

Originally posted by Mr. J. Cricket

You win this round Super MAC, but I'll be back, and when I am, I will terrorize your world with applications that you can't run and formats you just can't use!

Hmmm. Which apps and formats would those be? (I'll wait while you restart.....)