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

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpalomaki

With all this discussion of Video8/Hi8 audio, keep in mind that as implemented all audio is nominally recorded as Hi-Fi. While VHS Hi-Fi is recorded as a left and right channel at separate frequencies, Video8/Hi8 records audio as a mono track (L+R) plus a difference track (L-R). Akin to how FM radio broadcasts stereo. There is no linear track (although the original 8mm video design provided for one, it was rarely if ever implemented) .

This design provides backward compatibility with mono playback devices yielding a HiFi mono signal.

The quality of the stereo effect recorded by the camcorder will depend on the individual camcorders audio design. But in general camcorder mounted mics do not provide good audio, they can provide ambient sound from the venue or of a large ensemble, with poor rendition of talent located more than a couple feet from the camcorder. Further they often suffer from AGC effects and intrusion of sound/noise sources closer to the camcorder.

Wisdom worth repeating.

[Nathalas]

Hi all,
I have signed up to say that i have a CCD-TRV820E and I can tell that it has TBC/DNR, S-Video output and stereo audio output which you can switch to mono if you want to, just in case you want to add it to the list.

[latreche34]

It is already in the list.

[Nathalas]

Ah, sorry, i thought i read DCR-TRV820, at the digital 8 camcorder section
not the Hi8 camcorder with stereo that said CCD-TRV820E

[latreche34]

You're right, it's the digital model, I've added an extra column in the original Excel file with the model name and Y for TBC, If you can fill in the rest of the information accurately please do so and upload it here, Just fill out as much as you can and leave the rest blank.

[KhAoS182]

Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR820E (PAL)
Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR1100E (PAL)
Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR2200E (PAL)
Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR3100E (PAL)
Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR3200E (PAL)
Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR3300E (PAL)
Hi8 - Sony CCD-TR3400E (PAL)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TRV65E (PAL)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TRV66 (NTSC)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TRV300E (PAL)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TRV815 (NTSC)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TR840E (PAL)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TR913E (PAL)
Hi8 XR - Sony CCD-TR917 (NTSC)

Digital8 - Sony DCR-TRV240 (NTSC)
Digital8 - Sony DCR-TRV120E (PAL)
Digital8 - Sony DCR-TRV238E (PAL)
Digital8 - Sony DCR-TRV325E (PAL)

All of those are stereo with TBC and DNR.

Anyone who has actually tested the 3000 series, especially the 3200, knows that there isn't a camera with better definition than that. Tested with a test pattern tape.

[radiokom]

One of the best Hi8 - Sony CCD-TRV99E (PAL)
I believe without E is NTSC

[vwestlife]

All Digital8 models with analog Video8/Hi8 playback have a TBC. Not all of them let you disable it; the lack of a TBC setting in the menu means it's permanently on.

[evilnat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwestlife

All Digital8 models with analog Video8/Hi8 playback have a TBC. Not all of them let you disable it; the lack of a TBC setting in the menu means it's permanently on.

What about stereo output? I think they are all stereo, but not sure.

[KhAoS182]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwestlife

All Digital8 models with analog Video8/Hi8 playback have a TBC. Not all of them let you disable it; the lack of a TBC setting in the menu means it's permanently on.

Could you explain why you're confirming this? Thank you!

[KhAoS182]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilnat

What about stereo output? I think they are all stereo, but not sure.

Some Digital8 models are mono, you can check the manual. Within the same model range, only the higher-end versions have stereo audio.

[lordsmurf]

Disregard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwestlife

All Digital8 models with analog Video8/Hi8 playback have a TBC. Not all of them let you disable it; the lack of a TBC setting in the menu means it's permanently on.

This can't be true, because not all Digital8 cameras have Hi8/Video8 playback ability. Without analog playback, there's zero reason to have a TBC.

Reference: https://www.sony.com/electronics/sup...icles/00026519

Quote:

The following models of Digital 8® camcorders cannot play tapes recorded in the analog 8mm or Hi8™ formats.
DCR-TRV130
DCR-TRV140
DCR-TRV250
DCR-TRV260
DCR-TRV265
DCR-TRV280

But that list may not be 100% complete, as manufacturer documentation is rarely 100% accurate.

[Haunted_TBC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KhAoS182

Anyone who has actually tested the 3000 series, especially the 3200, knows that there isn't a camera with better definition than that.

Was it better than the Hi8 XR units like the TRV-95/99 or the Japanese TR-555 with six-blade iris, built-in ND filter and a periscope style lens?

[vwestlife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KhAoS182

Some Digital8 models are mono, you can check the manual. Within the same model range, only the higher-end versions have stereo audio.

All Digital8 camcorders are stereo. In fact, as soon as Digital8 was introduced, Sony stripped stereo off of all their analog Hi8 camcorders, to force you to step up to Digital8 if you wanted stereo sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

This can't be true, because not all Digital8 cameras have Hi8/Video8 playback ability.

That's why I said "All Digital8 models with analog Video8/Hi8 playback have a TBC".

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwestlife

That's why I said "All Digital8 models with analog Video8/Hi8 playback have a TBC".

It's been one of those days.