Well, I'm looking at a Hi8 sony camera. As I was reading up on it, it says,
Video Input/Output: No/Yes (Special)
Audio Input/Output: No/Yes (Mono, Special)
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Does this mean I can hook it to my computer, play it back, and have it upload into my computer?
If your not sure, check out the site it's at http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=CCDTRV138&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_Hi8HandycamCamcorders | Quote: |
Video Input/Output: No/Yes (Special)
Audio Input/Output: No/Yes (Mono, Special)
|
It is just saying that there is no input, you cannot play the video from an outside source on the camera screen, but there is output meaning you can play it from the camera onto another screen like a television.
Same goes for the audio.
This information is not the same as the ability to upload to your computer. This camera records to a small tape that is analog in nature, meaning that You can not upload directly to your computer. You need an intermediary source of some sort, such as a video capture card or device with digital video output. Most of the time you would use this camera to just play back raw footage onto a television.
I recommend not getting a hi8 camera at all, instead I would go with a MiniDV or Hard Drive camera. These have better picture quality and are made to transfer directly to your computer by easier means such as firewire connections. I own a MiniDV camera that is a few years old, and still works quite well.
Hope this helps! 
[/quote]Dude, at LEAST buy a DV camcorder...
My friend has a hi8, and he can plug it right into his computer. he has a program, that when you play it back from the camera, it uploads slowly to your computer
He probably has a digital8 camera with digital out, or a special graphics card. Just get a digital output format camera to edit on your computer.
If you are looking to use this and expect to "grow" as a videographer. Make sure you have a jack for an external microphone. Problems with sound are one of the typical problems with video. This way you can use a wireless mic and actually hear your subject in a crowd.
The only way to get a Hi8 into a computer is to get a USB or PCI piece of hardware. If you have a PCTV it may work too. The PCTV will be a little crude. The digital stuff is quicker and a little more clear. I have some Hi8 sony cameras and the quality is good enough for personal work. Try looking at the digital stuff before you totally abandon the hi8. Digital is easier to work with but it depends on your purpose.
It would be better to go digital video. Especially because they are not much more expensive. For me the external mic feature is more important then the format. If you can't hear, it will not be a good video.
I think I'm getting the 300 dollar handycam mini dv, with all the outputs on it ( a/v ) and infered, for christmas. I SURE HOPE SO! I need a camera.
The problem is of course that hi-8 is not a digital format....now digital 8 is a digital format so don't mix them up. You can get a converter to convert your signal into a digital signal that you can edit on your computer....or you can just buy a mini DV cam. If you don't want to buy a mini DV cam, here's a link for a converter......it costs around $175
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/market/marketdisp.html?PartNo=708540&sourcecode=s10142&promocode=se02T9
Here's the description of it....
Use ADVC55 to connect VHS, Hi8 and other analog video equipment to a DV camera, deck or editing system. ADVC55 is a compact and easy to use digital video converter compatible with Windows and Mac OS computers.
Features include:
Broad Compatibility
Broad video equipment and software compatibility ensures ADVC-55 provides a long product life and a high return on investment.
Intelligent Input/Output
ADVC-55's intelligent usability allows for easy setup and connection in any video environment. Automatic input signal detection and convenient front / back connectors ensure easy setup and operation.
Proven DV Codec Technology
At the heart of ADVC-55 is Canopus 's proprietary DV codec chip providing the industry's best picture quality preservation during analog-to-DV conversion.
Benefits include:
Connects to all widely used DV and analog video equipment
Compatible with Windows and Mac OS DV editing systems
Compatible with leading editing and DVD authoring applications including Canopus EDIUS, Canopus Let's EDIT, Sonic Foundry Vegas, Final Cut Pro, Avid Xpress DV, Adobe Premiere Pro, Pinnacle Edition, Ulead Media Studio Pro, and Windows Movie Maker
No need to install drivers or any software applications
Powered by IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connector
NTSC and PAL compatible
System Requirements:
Macintosh
Mac OS X (10.2.7/10.2.8/10.3)
Windows
Windows 2000 (requires Service Pack 3 or higher), Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional (requires Service Pack 1 or higher)
DirectX 8.0 or higher If you get a Hi8 Camera you'll need an Analog to Digital Bridge to get the film off the camera onto your computer. Here is a good one: 
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=882297 I got the one that takes tapes.. And I can just play it back on the computer and it does it for me
I guess the answer here kinda depends on whether or not you actually already have the camera in mind. If you're asking what kind of camera to get, definitely spend a little more and go with MiniDV instead of Hi8. If you've already got the Hi8, not to worry. It's still very much possible to get the video onto your PC... Just using a little more equipment.
A couple posts above this one there was mention of using the "bridge" ... That's what you're going to have to do either using a PCI card or a breakaway USB unit like the one pictured above. I think Dazzle makes a pretty cheap one that even comes with decent editing software.
Good luck!
