I've looked at your capture guides (and newbie buying guide), but I don't see anything relating to capture devices for 8mm, hi8, digital8, etc. I know that you advise using a SVHS VCR while capturing vhs to increase the quality of the output. When you capture from a 8mm source do you simply use a camcorder capable of playing 8mm or is there some other device you use that achieves "superior" playback?
Also, based on answers received at www.videohelp.com, is it correct that the JVC HR-S9911 will not "clean" a signal unless the tape is being played in the machine? In other words, will it improve quality if I play a 8mm tape on an 8mm camcorder, then input that to the JVC HR-S9911, then output to the next device (TBC, in my case) in the chain?
Thanks and great site.

The JVC VCR does nothing for passthrough. It will not help with 8mm. A proc amp or hardware noise reduction device may help, but not too likely. TBC will stabilize the signal, of course.

For 8mm, use VHS-like settings.
For Hi8, use SVHS-like settings.
Digital8 is DV data on a 8mm tape.

I rarely use 8mm-based formats. In fact, almost never. Pretty much just playback using the camera it was recorded on.