Convert 8mm tapes to preserve memories.
Make sure your memories are long-lasting by converting 8mm cassettes to DVD. Although 8mm technology is obsolete, many people still have 8mm tapes. During its era, 8mm camcorders were available in analog and digital formats. Those tapes can be converted to DVD to preserve the memories on a more stable technology. The DVD format will also allow you to share old videos with friends and family. Create DVDs from your old 8mm cassettes using a converter.
Instructions
1. Place the 8mm cassette into the 8mm camcorder and plug it into the power outlet. Install a converter on your computer such as the Dazzle DVD Recorder Plus from Pinnacle, available for $49.99 as of January 2011. Connect the converter to the television using the USB cable to allow fast analog video transfer.
2. Connect the AV cable from the camcorder into the converter inputs and open the converter software on the computer to begin the transfer process.
3. Click the "Import" option on the upper left hand corner of the software interface. Choose the Pinnacle device on the "Import From" selection menu since the camcorder is connected to the computer using the Pinnacle hardware. Below the import menu verify that the right destination folder is selected.
4. Click the file type that the video will be imported as at the upper right hand corner of the screen under the "Mode" menu. Turn scene selection on or off to separate the video being uploaded. Set the "Stop at tape end" option at "ON" to stop importing the video when it is done. Select the file name for the video below the "Mode" box in the "Filename" area.
5. Click "Start Capture" to begin the transfer of the video from the 8mm camcorder to the computer. Once the transfer is complete the video files can be edited using the software. Click "Make Movie" tab and set the "Disc Type" to DVD. Click the "Create Image" button to record the video to the DVD disc. Finalize the DVD to complete the recording process and allow the disc to be shared.
Tags: begin transfer, from camcorder, hand corner, preserve memories