Video8/Hi8/Digital8 transfers video99.co.uk  



The UK's most affordable and flexible Video8, Hi8 and Digital8 to DVD transfers.

A personal service by an engineer with 20 years of video experience.

Costs just £12 for up to 2:30 hours, extra copies £3.50 or less.  Discounts for quantity.  Lowest prices in the UK but the highest quality.

Video8 / Hi8 / Digital8

Video 8 and the higher performance version Hi8, were much the most popular type of camcorder sold right the way through the 1990's and are still sold today.  Picture and sound quality is very good, and at best can be outstanding.  Since the 8mm tape is completely different to VHS, no Video8 or Hi8 to VHS adaptor could ever exist, we need to play these tapes on the appropriate equipment.

You have come to the right place for your Video8 and Hi8 to DVD transfers, video99 has simply the best 8mm video equipment.  I can transfer your camcorder tapes to DVD with brilliant pictures and sound, using my semi-professional Hi8 edit equipment costing well over £1000.  The signals are processed through a Digital Timebase Corrector to remove any flutter and wobble, and get the benefit of a digital dropout compensator in my player.  Then the video signals are handled in S-Video form for the ultimate in colour performance, to my DVD recorder or computer system where it is recorded to DVD with outstanding picture and HiFi stereo sound.  I can also deal with PCM digital audio recording tracks (most people can't do this).  What all this means is that the results will be much better than you can get by just playing the tape in a camcorder.  I've had cases of customers coming to me after other video transfer companies were unable to handle LP recordings and international recordings, but video99.co.uk won't let you down.  

Hi8 camcorders from 1998 onwards may include Hi8-XR (Extended Resolution) technology with suitable XR tapes.  If your tapes are recorded with this feature, let me know since I will make a point of selecting appropriate equipment to get the very best from your recordings.

One of three identical Semi-professional Video 8 / Hi8 edit decks used for copying camcorder tapes to DVD.

Basic Menu, £12: Up to 2:30 hours on one DVD, but most camcorder tapes are only 90 minutes which fits nicely.  The menus are limited to just a title, but you get a chapter point every 5 minutes so it is easy to move around the DVD.  Extra copies of these DVDs cost just £3.50 each and are recommended.

Deluxe Menu £18:  Up to 1:30 hours on one DVD, so most camcorder tapes fit in one go.  Nice menu icons showing what is on that part of the recording, and if you email me with titles I will put them on the DVD for you too.  I place the chapter breaks at points of interest or new recordings.  These menus look like professionally recorded DVD films.  Extra copies are very cheap, just £2.50 each, and well worth taking.

In the last few years a new variant of 8mm video recording has arrived, called Digital8, marketed by Sony and Hitachi.  Camcorders of this type use standard Hi8 video cassettes, or Digital8 cassettes which are essentially the same, to record digital signals of the same type as other digital camcorders.  The quality is excellent and with suitable equipment, it is possible to transfer these recordings to DVD in a completely digital way, retaining outstanding performance.  

Hitachi Digital8 camcorder.

You can't tell by looking at an 8mm video cassette whether it has an analogue Video8 / Hi8 recording on it, or a Digital8 recording.  A clue may be in the vintage, recordings prior to year 2000 will be analogue, and later than that could be either.  If you have only a Video8 or Hi8 camcorder or player, and get a Digital8 tape to play, you see a grey screen full of speckles and the sound will just be a loud buzz.  Since I can transfer all of Video8, Hi8 and Digital8, there will be no problems with any of them.  Some transfer outfits will get caught out by Digital8 recordings as they cannot run them.  Furthermore I can handle recordings made on equipment from around the world, at no extra expense.

Basic Menu, £12: Up to 2:30 hours on one DVD, but most camcorder tapes are only 60-90 minutes which fits nicely.  The menus are limited to just a title, but you get a chapter point every 5 minutes so it is easy to move around the DVD.  Extra copies of these DVDs cost just £3.50 each and are recommended.

Deluxe Menu £18:  Up to 1:30 hours on one DVD, so camcorder tapes usually fit in one go.  Nice menu icons showing what is on that part of the recording, and if you email me with titles I will put them on the DVD for you too.  I place the chapter breaks at points of interest or new recordings.  These menus look like professionally recorded DVD films.  Extra copies are very cheap, just £2.50 each, and well worth taking.

Also available, Video8/Hi8/Digital8 to MPEG or AVI(DV) files for your own computer editing.  The price is small quantities is the same as Deluxe Menu.  For larger quantities of tapes there are good discounts possible.  In particular, if you would like to transfer Video8, Hi8 or Digital8 to hard disk, the price can be as low as £7 per hour and then we also have the option of using the even higher quality AVI DV file format.  Just email me for details.

There is a limitation of the Digital8 format:  Hi8 or Video8 90 minute tapes record for 60 minutes with the Digital8 format unless LP (long play) is used to extend this to 90 minutes.  If LP (long play) mode has been used using a cheaper Video8 tape, it is possible that the recordings may not play so well, occasional blocks and patterns are possible.  So far I've never experienced this effect on my equipment.

* Note about NTSC recordings (USA television standard):  Other companies in the UK may say they can run these, but most will get stuck if your recording is in Long Play.  We have imported Hi8 NTSC equipment from USA for this reason and so won't let you down.  However such Long Play NTSC recordings may not have stereo sound available.

How to request a Video 8 to DVD transfer, Hi8 to DVD or Digital8 to DVD transfer.

We have a new and easy order page, just select what kind of tapes you have and supply your details.

If for any reason you get stuck filling out the form, just email me and I'll help you personally.  It's a personal service I offer, not like some of the big video editing houses.  I understand that in many cases you will not be able to tell how much material is on the original recordings.  In which case, assume that the tapes are fairly full and send payment accordingly, I will refund any surplus by means of a cheque sent with your finished recordings.  

If recorded on equipment from another country, see the Television systems explained.

If you want your tapes back after you have the DVD copies (recommended):

Not everyone needs their tapes returned once they have the DVDs, but if you do, please remember to include postage costs. For a single video tape in the UK, this is just £1.50 For larger quantities, and tapes from outside the UK, I will let you know.  Ideally can you ensure you send the tapes in a package which is sufficiently large and robust for me to use to send back your original tapes. Usually I will send the DVDs to you ahead of returning your tapes, then when you've confirmed you are happy with the DVDs, I will return your tapes. This way I can help you further if necessary - for example you can now see you want a different part of a tape transferred on its own or you want extra copies.

When you receive your tapes back, you may notice that the record tabs have been switched to safe. The first thing I do with a tape is make sure that it cannot be recorded on, so protecting your important recordings.

Please read our Terms and Conditions, which form part of the agreement.

Back to the main www.video99.co.uk page.

Also see the video99.co.uk Questions and Answers (FAQ)

If you have a Video8 or Hi8 video recorder, click here to join the Video8/Hi8 Video recorder Yahoo group, it's free.

TESTIMONIALS  

Some previous testimonials for www.video99.co.uk Video8, Hi8 and Digital8 video transfers

• "“I shopped around online for ages, looking for someone to convert a load of video8 tapes to DVD. The prices being quoted were crazy. Then I discovered video99 and was amazed by how cheap they were – but then worried about what the quality would be like. I needn’t have worried. I have to say that this company is one of the few these days to offer brilliant customer service, excellent quality output and at incredibly cheap prices. Can’t rate them highly enough and will certainly use them again when I have more tapes. Sue"  Quantity of Video8 tapes transferred to DVD.  14.01.10
• "Dear Colin I would like to thank you for the recent transfer video99 did for me of my old Video8's to DVD. These tapes held many precious memories and I am so glad I entrusted your company with carrying this out. Not only were the transfers done quickly, very efficiently and at an extremely good price, the customer service I received throughout the process was second to none. The added extras such as the pictures on the covers was a real bonus. I would not hesitate to recommend video99 to all! Kind regards Tom, Bedford"  11 Video8 tapes run to DVDs with colour printed boxes, urgent job done in time for Christmas.  16.12.09
• "The DVD's have arrived and all is well. I've not seen this footage since the children were tiny, it's lovely to look at it again. By way of testimonial, I would wholeheartedly recommend you to friends and family. I've really appreciated your prompt service, technical know-how and awareness of how precious the contents of the videos are.  best wishes Andrew"  Several Video8 tapes run to DVD-Rom in MPEG4 format for editing on a Mac.  11.12.09
• "Video99 is highly recommended, they were really helpful, did exactly what they promised far faster than I expected. The result was excellent and if I have any more tapes they'll be straight down to them. Paul" Video8 tapes to DVD. 24.11.09
• "Hello I have now had a chance to look at all of my DVDs. I am delighted with the results. The quality is very good and it has taken me back twenty years to see all of those moments after such a long time with no working video camera to view the originals. I would recommend your work to anyone looking to re-live all of those holidays and memorable events that we had stored on tape. I wonder why I waited so long!  I’m going to look around to see if I have any more tapes hidden anywhere! Regards Roger"  Quantity of Video8 tapes to DVD with editing and Deluxe Menus.  24.11.09
• "I would highly recommend Video99 for speed and quaility of service for copying my Video 8 tapes to dvd and avi files. I had been looking on ebay for a suitable replacement for my ailing camcorder, one such camcorder went for over £75.00. Then if I had bought it. There is still how do you get it onto the computer. So was glad when I found Video99. As it was money well spent. Thanks again. Your sincerely Geoff"  Quantity of Video8 tapes to hard disk in DV-AVI files.  20.11.09
• "Colin A belated thanks for the DVD's received. I have been away for a few days. We are very pleased with the results especially as the family had forgotten about the original films. Very nice to be able to revisit old memories. Very pleased with the service which we will be happy to recommend. Best regards Neil"  11 Video8 tapes to DVDs with colour printed boxes.  12.10.09
• "I took my Video 8 tapes for DVD transfer to a high street shop in Coventry – simply to save the trouble of posting them. Big mistake! When the discs came back they were on totally the wrong format, unplayable on my very common DVD player, and, it turned out, over-compressed. Colin at Video 99 quickly identified the problems, kept in touch with me personally to discuss issues in the transfer process. In short, he did a thoroughly professional job. He was fast, efficient, courteous and much cheaper than the high street rates. You may think you’ll save time and effort by dropping your tapes off at a photo shop – but mine fell into the hands of total amateurs; I ended up disappointed and out of pocket. I’ll certainly use Colin’s services next time – he knows his stuff and he cares about the quality of his work. Thanks again! Peter"  Customer had some DVD+RW disks supplied by the shop be mentions.  Put them across to much more playable DVD-R disks.  Also ran some Video8 tapes to DVD for him, with much better quality than the ones from the shop.  10.09.09.
• "Hi Colin the dvds are fantastic thanks very much for doing this!!!!! Steve."  Mixed Video8 and miniDV tapes to DVD.  31.08.09
• "Many thanks for a efficient and terrific service. Kind regards Linda"  VHS and Video8 tapes run to DV-AVI files on hard disk, 24.08.09
• "Hi Colin Just to say that I'm very impressed and pleased by your speedy turnaround time bearing in mind the number of videos and camera cassettes that I have sent in total. I have already spread the word and recommend you whenever I can! Thanks very much indeed Lesley"  VHS and Hi8 tapes to DVD.  20.08.09
• "Hi Colin, Thanks for the discs that arrived today. I have checked them and they all seem fine to me and look very professional. Overall, we have been very impressed with your efficient and speedy service, thank you. I shall hopefully be in touch next week. Kind regards Elizabeth"  Interesting job this, a batch of tapes from a training event, the customer believed were Hi8, needed to be edited so that each participant had all their appearances put onto their own DVDs.  All to be completed against a very tight deadline.  The tapes were actually Digital8, but no problem for us.  Whole job completed a day ahead of schedule and on budget (discounted rate despite being urgent).  05.08.09
• "Hi Colin Thanks for the DVD’s, they work fine in my DVD player. I’ve seen video footage that I hadn’t ever seen before from about 15 years ago! It’s an eye-opener. I’m happy to give you a testimonial, I think the service you have given me has been second-to-none, super fast and efficient. I’m really pleased with the results too, thank you so much. Regards Vicky"  Video8 tapes to DVD, 22.06.09
• "Colin dealt with my enquiry and then the transfer of video 8 tapes to DVD in an excellent manner. Quick, helpful and most importantly the end product wastop quality. Highly recommended – have already passed his name on to a friend.  David."  !2 Video8 tapes to DVD.  28.05.09
• "Thank you very much for all your help, I couldn't have asked for better service and I'm very pleased with everything that you have done for me. I shall certainly pass on your details should anyone I know need such services. Regards Alan"  7 Video8 tapes initially put to Deluxe Menu DVD, but then also taken on hard disk as DV-AVI files.  30.04.09
• "Contacted Colin with just a week to go to my husbands birthday. I sent him masses of tapes for transfer and Colin was able to meet my tight time schedule. The finished product is fantastic, the professional covers a much appreciated extra and we now have all our precious memories safely stored. Thanks Colin for a brilliant job. Would recommend you to any one who is looking for a great finished product and excellent customer service. Thanks again Lynda 21/3/09" VHS, VHS-C and Video8 to DVD, urgent job.
• "Colin DVDs arrived today, and they are excellent, beyond my expectations, thank you very much indeed. I really did not think that what you did was possible. I have found clips of film that I didn’t know I had and they have brought back loads of memories. Your service is exactly as described on your website Thanks again for a wonderful, courteous and efficient service. Best Regards Fred PS There is no point sending back the original tapes, please dispose of them and if you have charged for postage already just keep the money, you deserve it. PPS I have already passed your details onto 2 other friends, hope they get in touch with you."  Video8 tapes to Deluxe Menu DVDs.  12.02.09.
• "Many thanks for your fast, friendly and above all, helpful service. I will be engrosed in memories for many hours to come. Thanks again Denise"  VHS and Video8 tapes to DVD.  28.01.09
• "Colin You have done a truly superb job on the tape. Clearly 25 years old and suffering it has been brought back to life. You have done a very good job with the sound track as well. The first section is some footage of my late father which I am very happy to be able to see. The remainder is my cousin's footage of a reunion of old friends which he hopes to be able to show to them at the next reunion this summer. Thank you again for a very prompt and professional service." NTSC Video8 tape put to PAL DVD.  The audio level was very low on this tape but I was able to boost it enough to make it audible.  21.01.09
• "colin ,many thanks for your service,1st class,dvd's play great,so if you could dispose of the old tapes i would be greatfull" Video8 tapes to DVD.  07.11.08
• "Yes the dvd worked really good Thanks again Billy".  NTSC Long Play Hi8 tape run to PAL DVD.  Other companies may say they can run NTSC tapes, but will get stuck on Long Play recordings.  At video99 we have imported real NTSC equipment for just this purpose.  25.10.08
• "Hi Colin My apologies for not contacting you sooner. The DVD's arrived safe and sound and I have gone through them. Thanks for a great job. I will certainly recommend you for a very quick and efficient service. Now I can share the memories with my family once more. If I come across any more cassettes I had forgotten about, I will contact you. Thanks again Anne"  Number of Video8 tapes to DVD.  10/10/08.
• "Thank you very much for your prompt service, to send 12 tapes and receive high quality DVDs within a week is indeed superb service and at a very reasonable price. Having had 12 tapes which we could no longer play, spanning the last twenty years - we can now relive all those memories from the past on DVD. Thank you very much for you helpfulness and communications I would certainly recommend VIDEO99 to others. Many thanks Mike"  03.08.08
• "Dear Colin The DVD arrived this morning and we have just spent the last hour reliving our 1996 Holiday in Spain. Everything has turned out fine and your service has exceeded our expections. Thank you so much for your help. It will be in order to return the original tape in the next day or so. Best wishes Roy"  12/06/08, Video8 to DVD.
• "Hi Colin, The DVD’s have arrived and I could not be more delighted. You have made a great job of them. I will not hesitate to recommend your excellent service to anyone needing your specialised expertise. Thank you so much for your helpful advice and complete co-operation, and I wish you every success for the future. I take it that as I am very pleased with the results you will forward the tapes to me at your convenience. All the very best, and again, many thanks, Ron"  Video8 tapes to DVD. 12.06.08
• "Dear Colin Just to let you know that I have received the DVDs and they are great. The service was incredibly quick and they arrived on Friday. I had previously recorded my video8 tapes onto VHS video but these were grainy and the deficiencies were even more apparent when we got a modern large screen TV. The quality of the new DVDs is amazing. The grain has gone and the pictures are really sharp. I would recommend this service to anyone to help preserve treasured memories. Kind regards Andrew"  Two Video8 tapes to DVD.  09.06.08
• "Excellent communication and service. Very flexible and quick with transfer. Transfer at very high quality. Definitely recommended. Thanks, Tom"   Video8 tapes to hard disk in DV-AVI file format.  25.05.08.
• "Colin DVDs received, and very pleased we are with your work. At all stages you have been quick to respond to queries, and the finished articles are well worth the money. We will definitely be recommending you to friends and family, as it is clear you strive to provide a friendly, professional service. If you could return the tapes at your earliest convenience, it would be appreciated - I'm off to rake around in my old videos to see if I need anything else transferred! Thanks Steve" Digital8 tapes to DVD.  24.05.08
• "Hi, i received the dvd's today... their absolutely wonderful!! thanks very much... good quality i will definately leave you a testimonial... thanks again for a really good service > > Jacquie"  That's all the testimonial required.  Several Video 8 tapes to DVD.  12.05.08
• "Colin I have now had time to play the tapes on both DVD player and my computer.They are superb in both picture and sound quality.The titles are also well worth having and as you say give a very proffesional look. Your suggestion to put the wedding/cine on an extra disc was inspired. You have saved some special memories for me and my family. In conclusion many thanks for a great service Kind Regards Peter"  23.04.08, Video8 tapes to DVD with Deluxe Menu and editing.
• "Hi, Received dvds this morning and just watched it. Very impressed with the menu and chapter selection. Thank you so much we are very happy with the outcome. Best Wishes Michael and Claire"  Wedding video edited and put to Deluxe menu DVD.  17.03.08.
• "What an "eye-opener". My wife and I are, how can I put it, ecstatic, delighted, amazed. We could fill this page with adjectives without running out of them. The clarity and resolution are absolutely superb. Thank you SO MUCH for doing such a wonderful job with our precious memories. Can't wait to get the time to sit down and watch all eleven films.  Derek"  11 Digital8 tapes copied to DVD.  07.02.08

For older testimonials, hundreds of them, see the archive of testimonials.

Can I play Video8 or Hi8 tapes on my Digital8 camcorder?

Which Digital8 camcorders support analogue Video8 or Hi8 playback?  I've been asked which Digital8 camcorders play Video8 or Hi8 tapes.  Most, but not all, Sony Digital8 camcorders can also play older analogue Video8 or Hi8 recordings.  Here is a list I have put together from information collated from user manuals.  It is supplied as-is with no responsibility for errors.

If you are interested in Video8 or Hi8 video recorders, join the free Yahoo group.

If you have any questions, just email me and I'll reply promptly.   Also see the video99.co.uk Questions and Answers (FAQ)  All material on this web site is copyright www.video99.co.uk and www.colin99.co.uk though trade marks remain with the manufacturers.

Last updated 14 January 2010

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