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General discussion

Import Video From analog 8mm tapes

Sep 14, 2005 10:58AM PDT

Hi,

I have some old 8mm tapes that I want to transfer over to my mac. Is there any spacific hardware that I can use so I can get the best video quality. Any software? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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One Solution
Sep 14, 2005 12:23PM PDT
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Import Video From analog 8mm tapes
Sep 15, 2005 1:07AM PDT

Couple of other options.
If you just want to copy the 8mm without editting to DVD you can get a stand alone DVD recorder and use the analog out from 8mm camera to the recorder.
If you are thinking about getting a MiniDV camera, you can get one that has the analog to digital pass through.
The MiniDV can then be use to capture the 8mm video and import to your Mac. I have done this on mine.
What MAC OS do you have??? iMovie and iDVD do a good job.
John

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Update
Sep 15, 2005 10:56AM PDT

I have Mac OS X 10.3

Are there any devices that can improve video quality and/or sound as it is imported? One problem I have had in the past is that the resolution on the tapes is relatively bad when viewing it on iMovie. any feedback on that? Thanks for your help so far!

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resolution on the tapes is relatively bad when
Sep 19, 2005 4:22AM PDT

Well 8mm video quality is about the same as standard VHS,
Which is 320x240 in computer terms. If it was Hi8mm it would look better. You would have to get Final Cut Express to have more options, but this is a Pro video program and as such has big learning curve. John

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I Have FCE
Sep 20, 2005 11:35AM PDT

I already have Final Cut Express, not version 2.
Would that help in any way?

Thanks!