Insert the tape to a compatible tape deck or video camera in “VCR” mode.
Cue the 8mm tape using the tape deck or video camera. Press the buttons “Play,” “Stop,” “Pause,” “Rewind” and “Fast Forward” to check the contents of the tape and set it to the beginning to prepare it for digitizing.
Connect the deck or camera to the computer using the appropriate RCA or USB cable.
Open your video-editing program and make a new project. Provide a project name for your file.
Click the “Capture” button in your video-editing software. While its location depends on the video-editing program used, this is typically found under the “File” menu. Wait for the “Capture window” to appear on the computer screen.
Make a test playback by pressing the “Play” button in your tape deck or camera. The footage will play on the “Capture window” if the deck or camera is properly connected to the computer.
Press “Now,” “Capture,” “Record” or any similar button to confirm the digitizing of the footage being played by the deck or camera. The button name depends on the video-editing program used.
Press “Stop” on the "Capture window" or “ESC” from the computer’s keyboard to finish the capturing process for the footage being transferred from the tape to the computer. Each captured file gets stored in an applicable folder found in your video-editing program’s editing interface.
Continue capturing all footage intended for digitizing by cueing the video in your tape and pressing the digitizing button in your “Capture window.” Press “Stop” or “ESC” to finish each capture process.