Digitize VHS, Hi8, file size/type, equipment/software needed?

[Eric805]

Hello there.

Found this site when I googled a question about “best capture software for VHS to digital”. After reading the forum thread that popped up with the search, I realized that I could benefit from first backing up and asking a few general questions first to see what areas/techniques with have the greatest impact, and if I’m approaching it correctly… If someone with experience is willing to take a look and respond.

So I am not a complete newbie to the video digitization and editing/creating process. I have made decent progress with my mini DV tapes and Movie Maker legacy software with good outcome.
However, as I get into the Hi-8, and VHS digitization process, it looks like there is a big learning curve and possibly equipment acquisition to do this best. Hoping to find a good balance between getting decent quality without getting too bogged down in this phase so that I can more quickly move on to the editing and creating phase of the project.

Background:
I started this project in 2014 and then stopped. Picked it up again 2025. For my MiniDV in 2025 I imported via fire wire directly from camcorder to a laptop that had a fire wire port. Played with the WMM capture settings and compared, and figured largest file size would give me best Quality. I’m not sure if that’s the case, but regardless, I ended up with .AVI format at about 170 MB per minute (MBpm) resultant file size. I then use that raw file and create final video (with captions, cuts, etc.) using Windows movie maker and end up with finished video in .mp4 format at about the same file size (170 MB per minute). I have lots of storage and am finished with the 45 or so mini-DV tapes so not gonna go back on that one. But just letting you know where my head was at.

For the VHS and Hi-8: As mentioned I started this in 2014 and stopped. But I believe I had a Roxio capture device/software at that point, and believe I was simply using red white yellow outputs from standard VCR (VHS), and similar from my Sony handicam (Hi-8). I did not finish most of the capture so am prepared to go back and redo what I’ve done with whatever technique I end up using for what still needs to be done…based on input here.

I do not have that capture device/software any longer so we’ll need to get a new one and I’m looking for input on that (Elgato, etc.)

So previously here’s what I ended up with Raw captured files:
VHS (using Roxio and VCR): .wmv file, with resultant file size approximately 15 MBpm (2 Hr tape)
Hi-8: .avi file approximately 210 MBpm

Most of the Hi-8 raw files look OK, but a few of them have some apparent Technical issues (noise, lack of sound, fluttering) issues.

Here is where I started questioning whether or not large file size has much of an impact on Quality - versus other factors. I considered for time, taking VHS into a camera shop and just see what they would come back with. So gave them, as a test, a two-hour VHS tape and got back on a flash drive an .MP4 file, with file size approximately 32 MBpm . That is obviously much smaller than most of the raw files I have done myself. But Quality was decent as compared to the original VHS.

Equipment that I have:
Toshiba VCR (no S video) SD-V296-k-TU (Craigslist, but in good shape); Panasonic Omni vision VCR PV-S7670 with S. Video (got that from eBay. Not sure how clean the heads are); I no longer have my Sony handy camcorder for the Hi-8. But I have since inherited a Sony EV-S7000NTSC which I plan on using for the Hi-8.

I have about 10-15 VHS tapes and about 25 Hi-8. I’m leaning towards doing the Hi-8 myself. I have to get capture software anyways for those, so probably can do the VHS as well. But if input that I receive back from this forum suggests that what I got from the camera shop is better than what I can do myself. I may just give them those. But it becomes kind of pricey with the Hi-8's.

Any input is very much appreciated.

For the equipment that I have and my abilities:
1.) What type of capture software is recommended?
2.) What type of file, and resultant file size should I be shooting for?
3.) If I’m not asking the right questions, I have thick skin. Be Frank.

Thank you!

[DeePeeGee]

All you questions are answered on this forum a million times over. Just use the search function and read, read, read...

[vwestlife]

What kind of analog-to-digital conversion are you using now? I skimmed through your post a few times but failed to see any mention of it.

And what kind of MiniDV camcorder(s) do you have? If they have an A/V In -> DV out passthrough mode, they generally do an excellent job at digitizing analog video sources, since they have a built-in TBC (Time Base Corrector).

[latreche34]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric805

For my MiniDV in 2025 I imported via fire wire directly from camcorder to a laptop that had a fire wire port. Played with the WMM capture settings and compared, and figured largest file size would give me best Quality. I’m not sure if that’s the case, but regardless, I ended up with .AVI format at about 170 MB per minute (MBpm) resultant file size.

That's not the case, miniDV tapes should be transferred losselessly at constant 25Mbps using WinDV or Sclive, You should not end up with 170Mbps?

[vwestlife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

That's not the case, miniDV tapes should be transferred losselessly at constant 25Mbps using WinDV or Sclive, You should not end up with 170Mbps?

170 megabytes per minute = 2.83 megabytes per second = about 24 megabits per second, which is close enough that I think they were capturing DV-AVI.

[latreche34]

I did not catch per minute, I though he wrote per second, my bad.

[Eric805]

Hello there and thanks for your reply. I didn't get an email alert to your responses so sorry for the delay. I do not have an analog-to-digital conversion method presently. That was one of my questions that led me to this forum.

Previously when I attacked this project before, I was using some version of Roxio, but no longer have that. I was considering an "Elgato Video Capture – USB 2.0 Capture Card Device", but then realized there may be other considerations/equipment just as critical, thus my reach out.

I don't think my mini dv camcorder will do it, Sony DCR-HC52. I don't see how to pass through. It has ilink and A/V connections but I think those are “output” only, unless you know differently (I scoured manual and didn’t see that mentioned). A/V in and ilink out would be pretty cool.

I do have a Sony EV-S7000NTSC, for the Hi-8, but will still need the capture device.

And then my other questions were for the 10 or so VHS tapes I had. I’m assuming, pending no further input, that I’ll just use one of the VCR’s I’ve acquired with the same conversion software I end up acquiring.

And then for both VHS and HI-8 conversion, some input on ideal file type and file size I should be shooting for??

Thank you for your response, and future response if you have a chance.

[vwestlife]

The DCR-HC52 does not have analog passthrough mode.