Video8/Hi8/Digital8/DV/Betamax Buying Guide for quality conversion

[BW37]

A factoid more than anything...

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

As far as I know TBC was used only on certain Hi8/D8 camcorders.

I'd assumed the same until reading through the manual for a Sony CCD-TRV87 I found this:

Menu_settings_for TRV17,37,57,67&87.jpg

The manual covers models CCD-TRV: 17, 37, 57, 67 and 87. The first 3 are Video8, the last 2 Hi8. The models vary in many ways but the (confusing?) manual seemed to indicate that ALL have the TBC and DNR functions. So, ever curious, I found a "parts only" CCD-TRV57 cheap enough to buy just to satisfy my curiosity. It has major problems, but the menu system works and Low and Behold, it does have a TBC option! I'll need to do some repairs (if I can) to tame it's run-away drum motor, etc. but I hope to actually confirm it's TBC functionality in operation at some point .

Since "working" units of these (17, 37 and 57) seem to cost as much on eBay as working Hi8 models, there is no reason to look for them since they do NOT have the desired s-video out. Only the Hi8 67 and 87 have that. Note also that the 67 is mono audio out while the 87 is stereo. Only the 87 has video/audio IN (can record from another video device).

BW

[HomeVideoProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

Well after checking that model it turns out to be a Video8 camcorder, As far as I know TBC was used only on certain Hi8/D8 camcorders. Only Hi8 and D8 (with analog playback) camcorders that have TBC and S-Video out are recommended for analog tapes capture. It has been mentioned numerous times on this forum.

The one on my desk has "video Hi8" printed on it's side. Picture attached.

[latreche34]

Look in the menu then to see if there is a TBC option, how hard can that be?

[HomeVideoProject]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

Look in the menu then to see if there is a TBC option, how hard can that be?

Yeah, I just confirmed a few posts back that I couldn't find anything related to TBC in the menu.

[BarryTheCrab]

I think the TRV-138 is to be removed. Correct me but no S-video.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryTheCrab

I think the TRV-138 is to be removed. Correct me but no S-video.

No, not removed.

138 is 2005 release, one of last Hi8. Tracks better than most, and composite is not really soft like 99% of other composite devices. I keep both NTSC and PAL units due to tracking quality.

[NJRoadfan]

The earlier CCD-TRV128 has the S-Video jack, but is otherwise identical to the 138. The CCD-TRV138 is indeed the last analog Hi-8 camcorder Sony sold. The S-Video port omission was a cost saving measure.

[BarryTheCrab]

While watching a 12voltvid presentation, he was working on a Hitachi Hi8 camcorder. Hitachi VM-H675LA.
For kicks I looked up the manual and was surprised to see it has TBC as well as some kind of tape analysis function probably along the lines of BEST.
Is there some reason Hitachi is less-than-desirable for playback and capture? Asking for a friend...
A friend told me to watch the entire video and read the comments. Cheap, and not a Sony, but better than others.

[vwestlife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryTheCrab

For kicks I looked up the manual and was surprised to see it has TBC as well as some kind of tape analysis function probably along the lines of BEST.

If that's like Sony's ORC (Optimal Recording Condition), then it only affects recording, not playback.

Thanks to 12voltvids, I also learned that playing a Hi8 tape through a composite output is no different than using a Video8 player with Quasi-Hi8 playback. So that "last gasp" Sony Hi8 model without an S-Video output (CCD-TRV138) wasn't even actually Hi8, it was just Quasi-Hi8, unless you took out the tape you recorded on it and played it on another machine which did have S-Video output.

p.s. The circuit traces for the S-Video output are actually still there on the circuit board -- they just left out the S-Video jack and covered it up with a blanking plug.