How to transfer analog Hi8 tapes to iMovie?

I am assuming that your Digital Handycam is a Digital 8.

Use the Record function in QuickTime Player that is on your Mac.

How to use QuickTime Player - Apple Support

Connect your cam as you did before with the FireWire cable .

You may want to experiment with the Quality setting before capturing everything.

With a small sample compare quality with File size , and then make your choice .

You will then need to import this into iMovie.

The reason that it will not import into iMovie version 10 is that the conversion from analog

to digital via a Digital 8 cam does not carry TimeCode.

If the tape had been a Digital 8 recorded tape then TimeCode would be present.

Both iMovie version 10 and FCPX require TimeCode for import.

QuickTime Player does not require TimeCode and neither do some older versions of iMovie.

Certain models of Sony Digital8 do not support analog; there is a list of those

here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital8 in 'analog recordings' section. For

8mm & Hi8 playback on Digital8 models, including supported, see Sony list...

The other method usually requires a digital video converter, and cabling to

match the Mac, Hi8 device, + digital/analog converter. And a video editing

software may be helpful. {In the olden days of PM8500/132/150 you could've

used that Macintosh to internally convert analog-to-digital video, w/ audio.

There used to be a physical Hi8/8mm-to-VHS adapter so the small cartridge

fits into the standard VHS; then the small tape could be converted in one of

those 'VHS to DVD player-recorders'. I was going to do that with my Sony Hi8

recordings; then in my more recent PPC Mac could edit with iMovie + iDVD.

A simple idea - if yours just works:

How to Transfer Hi8 to iMac | eHow

If your Digital8 Sony is one of those with 'analog tape playback' function, you'd

more than halfway there. The output should be digital...

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

There used to be a physical Hi8/8mm-to-VHS adapter so the small cartridge

fits into the standard VHS

There used to be a VHS C ( VHS Compact) to VHS adapter.

This was for VHS C camcorders.

I don't think the physical size of a Hi8 tape is the same as a VHS C tape, 8mm versus 1/2 inch

and also the video formats of Hi8 and VHS are different.

VHS C and Hi8 look similar but are different.

Yes the attributes for those formats and electrical impulses were different.

I'd only seen one adapter that fit inside a standard size video cassette

recorder-player, for ungainly price, for a limited time. ~ It had electronics.

The other work-around, I have here between a few video appliances; to

use the patch cord from a working Hi8 Sony HandyCam to any other

conversion analog-digital device is the shorter path. I've also a two in one

unit that can be used to convert analog to digital and save that on DVD...

{Those have standard inputs: one need not start out with VHS to save to DVD.}

Once on DVD, the only problem may be the player may not see that format

if not suited to a usable standard in a computer or other type player... Once

the content is digital, one could use VLC or other graphic; if not iMovie.

Perhaps if your Digital8 vintage device isn't applicable, a pawnshop or sale

listing on craigslist may have second-hand unit, capable of the conversion.

Obsoletism is nearly a religion... To upgrade 'too quickly' without archival

means to retrieve vintage/obsolete nowadays may mean finding the retail

services of a small business who offers a conversion from one to another.

{Just like there are those who, for a price, will convert analog photo images.}

Sorry to have no solution to your issue; however this is a discussion...! 🙂

The good news for cir22 is that the analog video is being converted to digital as he can see the video in iMovie

via the FireWire connection.

I feel confident that if QuickTime Player is used to record/import this digital video then it will be successful.

Hopefully cir22 will report back and let us know.