As media technology advances, many people worry about preserving the memories they have on older types of film. Converting standard 8mm film to DVD allows you to view your old films again, while also providing the option of creating a back-up file in case the DVD or film is damaged. While many video transfer services allow you to mail your 8mm film out for professional conversion to DVD, you can also convert 8mm yourself with the help of current recording devices and software.
Instructions
1. Locate the firewire port on your home computer before playing the 8mm film. The firewire port may be rectangular or pentagonal depending on the version, and has a metal rim inside the port, as well as a receptor slot for pins in the firewire cable.
2. Connect the Digital 8 camcorder to your computer using the firewire cable. Find a cable for connecting the camera to your computer in the box when you buy your Digital 8 camcorder. Check that the cable fits a slot on your computer, because depending on the age of your computer and the type of serial inputs it has, you may need an adapter to connect the cable to your computer. Buy an analog-digital converter if necessary to convert the signal from V8 to DV when recording 8mm to DVD.
3. Use the Digital 8 camcorder to play the V8 or Hi8 tapes of standard 8mm film while the camera is connected to the computer.
4. Record the 8mm film playback as a digital file on your computer using software included with the camcorder. Try the noise reduction and editing options available in most digital film editing software to clean up the recording before burning to DVD, but remember to save an original file of the recording before editing.
5. Burn the digital recording of your 8mm film to DVD using a DVD burning drive. If your computer has a built-in DVD burner, insert a blank DVD and use the DVD burning program to burn the file. If your computer does not have built-in DVD burner, buy a peripheral DVD burning drive and connect it to your computer using the USB port. Use the instructions included with the drive to install and start burning files to DVD.
6. Back up your recordings by saving files in several locations and by burning additional DVD copies in case the original film or the burned DVD is lost or damaged.
Tags: your computer, computer using, Digital camcorder, your computer using, built-in burner
