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How to Connect an Hi8 to a Sony MiniDV Handycam

As home video formats move forward, sometimes it's necessary to transfer old videos to new media to keep them compatible with the current technology. It's easy to transfer Hi8 video to MiniDV with a camcorder for each type. By connecting the camcorders with the basic red, white and yellow audio/visual cables, and setting both cameras to the VTR setting, transferring the Hi8 video to the other camera only takes slightly longer than the time to play the tape.

Things You'll Need

  • Hi8 camcorder
  • Sony MiniDV Handycam
  • Hi8 tape
  • Blank MiniDV tape
  • Red, white and yellow audio/visual cable
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the two camcorders side by side and connect them with the AV cables. Connect one end of the cables to the output outlets on the Hi8 camcorder and connect the other end to the Handycam's input jacks.

    • 2

      Power the cameras on and set both to VTR playback function. Insert the Hi8 tape into the Hi8 camcorder and rewind it to the beginning. Insert the blank MiniDV tape into the Handycam.

    • 3

      Press the "Record" button on the Handycam, then the "Play" button on the Hi8 camcorder. Wait for the Hi8 tape to finish playing, then stop both cameras. Rewind the MiniDV tape and play it back on the Handycam to ensure the video was transferred.

Film Production

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