Insert the Hi8 videocassette tape in an operational Hi8 camera or Hi8 videocassette tape deck. If using a camera, open it in "VCR" mode for playback functions instead of the "Camera" mode used for recording video.
Connect the analog end of the cable to the camera or deck. Connect the digital end of the cable to the Mac computer's USB port.
Go to the video editing program and select the "Capture" button. A typical Mac computer is equipped with the capability to connect an external device such as a camera or tape deck to the computer via USB connection. Wait until the editing program recognizes the connected camera or tape deck. The capture window will appear and the footage coming from the camera or deck.
Click "Record" from the editing program's capture window icon to start importing the footage. Press the "Play" button on the Hi8 camera or deck. Press "ESC" to stop the import process anytime. Start recording again by pressing the "Record" button.
The tape must be played in real time to record all the footage into the computer. Check the imported footage from the files in your hard drive, depending on where the video editing software puts the captured video files. You can actually set where you want the video files to be saved under the editing program's "Preferences" or "Video Settings" menu. The menu name varies per editing program.