What is the easiest and least expensive way to transfer old 8mm movies onto CDs or DVDs?

I would like to transfer my old video camcorder 8mm tapes to CDs or DVDs but I'm not sure what equipment or software I need to do it. If it's too expensive or complicated to do it myself, I would consider paying someone else to do it, but I imagine that would be quite expensive as well. I have approximately 25 8mm tapes to transfer.

Any helpful information or advice would be greatly appreciated. Asked by newbie_in_NH 37 months ago Similar questions: easiest expensive transfer 8mm movies CDs DVDs Computers > Hardware > Desktops & Laptops.

Similar questions: easiest expensive transfer 8mm movies CDs DVDs.

The easiest and least expensive method depends greatly on what equipment you own . . .

Recognize first of all that the easiest method may not be the least expensive. And the least expensive may not give you the best quality. And the best quality may not be the easiest.

You will need to research the methods available, and decide for yourself what combination of price, ease, and quality is right for you. There are two steps in the process. First, you need to capture the video into digital format on your computer.

Second, you need to burn that video onto DVDs or CDs. I'm assuming that you already have a computer and a DVD burner or CD burner. There's lots of information about burning discs, and lots of software to do it on the web, so I won't cover that here.

I'll address the slight more arcane task of capturing video. Let's talk about the least expensive method first. The least expensive method will generally be the one that doesn't require you to buy anything.So it depends greatly on what equipment you already own.

Do you have an 8mm camera with a standard A/V (RCA) output? If so, you can use a video capture card -- either internal or external (like a Dazzle device) to capture the output. If your 8mm camera has firewire, and your computer does also, then your camera probably came with software that allows you to control the camera and transfer the video into digital format that can be burned to DVD or CD.

I've used this method myself with an older 8mm video camera I own, and I recommend it. Here's another guy who recommends it, from forum.digital-digest.com/archive/index.p... "The bottom line here is that if you are wanting to transfer analog 8mm video, only use a capture card or external device if you DO NOT care about the quality. Pick up a Digital8 camcorder that is capable of playing analog 8mm tapes (not all of them do this) and use firewire to capture the video.

" If your camera has firewire, but your computer doesn't, it's simple and pretty inexpensive. Firewire cards from from about $20 to about $60. This simple upgrade will allow you to take advantage of the software and firewire capability that came with your camera.

If you have neither firewire on your camera, or a video capture device, you have some decisions to make. You can buy a camera that has firewire, like the writer suggests in the quote above. You can borrow a camera that has firewire but will play your tapes.

Or you can do some research and buy a video capture device, either embedded on a video card, or external using a fireware or USB link. I agree with the write above that says firewire is the way to go, but I have also know others that used Dazzle and other video capture devices successfully. I have also taken old stuff to local services and had it done for me.

You're right -- it's not necessarily cheap. But if you decide to go this route, I recommend finding someone local -- you may get a better price than going with a large commericial shop, or buying the services you want online. I once found a guy who works out of his home who converted a number of old 8mm films (not video) onto video tape for a reasonable price.

That was quite a few years ago, but I'm sure there are people out there who would do the same for video to digital transfers. Good luck! Sources: http://forum.digital-digest.com/archive/index.php/t-30624.html Gundark's Recommendations Adaptec 3-Port USB 2.0 & 2-Port FireWire PCI Controller Card Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 2 reviews) .

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1 Not hard.............Hook the camcorder to computer ( that becomes the player ),,,,,,,capture the video from it to hardrive ( make a new file for the movies ): Once they are uploaded: Use a movie cd/dvd creator application to make the cd/dvd: Like Nero for one example. If you have old movies that do not play through the camcorder..the equipment needed for transferring is a special cable.....runs around 50 dollars...which transfers for example from VHS to upload to hardrive.Blessings........Annlee .

Not hard.............Hook the camcorder to computer ( that becomes the player ),,,,,,,capture the video from it to hardrive ( make a new file for the movies ): Once they are uploaded: Use a movie cd/dvd creator application to make the cd/dvd: Like Nero for one example. If you have old movies that do not play through the camcorder..the equipment needed for transferring is a special cable.....runs around 50 dollars...which transfers for example from VHS to upload to hardrive.Blessings........Annlee.

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I have many,many feet of 6o year old family 8mm movies. These are film only and as you surmise, would like to transfer.

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