Convert 8 mm Video to DVD
8mm video was a popular consumer format in the late 1980s and 1990s used for shooting non-professional footage. With the advent of digital formats such as mini-DV, 8mm has become obsolete and working 8mm video decks are becoming scarce. Further, the 8mm is a fragile medium with a limited shelf life. For that reason, transferring 8mm video to a popular and accessible format like DVD has become a highly desirable option.
Instructions
1. Obtain a Digital 8 video camcorder. It will be able to play all formats of 8mm video (Video 8, Hi8, and Digital 8) and has built-in noise reduction and time-base correctors for stabilizing analog video. Besides providing better image quality, a Digital 8 camcorder will be able to connect directly to your computer, eliminating the need to purchase an analog-to-video conversion box.
2. Using your Digital 8 camera, take a look at the 8mm cassette you plan to convert to DVD. If you are looking for specific footage that was shot decades ago, you may need to scan a few tapes unless they are meticulously labeled.
3. Hook up your Digital 8 camcorder to your computer via the FireWire port.
4. Acquire software that captures video. Most video-editing applications such as Final Cut Pro, Vegas, and PowerDirector have a module for capturing footage from an external video camera. They will automatically detect your camera via FireWire when you launch the application.
5. Following the instructions of your chosen software, capture the desired footage from your 8mm cassette. Unlike older analog cameras, many Digtal 8 camcorders allow you to control playback of cassettes directly from your computer so you will be able to scan footage without manually operating the controls on the camera itself.
6. After capturing the desired footage, save it to a digital file on your hard drive. If possible, save the file in MPEG-2 format which is ideal for DVD.
7. Purchase blank DVD-R's. They are for sale at most computer and office supply stores. Be sure to spend a little extra on high-quality, name-brand discs. Cheap DVD-R's can degrade rapidly and freeze during playback.
8. Obtain DVD video burning software. Mac users most often use Toast or Burn. PC users can use Nero, Roxio Creator, or Cyberlink DVD Suite.
9. Consult the instructions of your chosen application and burn the digital file to DVD. In order to minimize the odds of an unsuccessful burn, be sure to choose the slowest write speed and do not use other applications during the burning process.
10. Test out your "burnt" DVD-R on a DVD player. If it works, repeat above steps as needed.
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