Sony Handycam CCD-TVR88

Hello Mary,

your camcorder is a Hi-8 model that records analog signals. In order to convert your footage to DV (digital), you can employ an analog/digital converter box like the ones from Canopus:

http://www.canopus.com/products/videoconversion.php

Several MinDV camcorder models allow for analog/digital conversion (so called pass-through). You could spend a little more here, but you also get a camcorder (that connects directly to your Mac via Firewire), not just a converter box.

hope this helps

mish

Hello Mary,

I have also heard that I can get a Sonydcr-trv330 that will play my Hi-8 tapes and connect with firewire to the Imac. Any confirmations on this?
That's correct - I almost forgot about that solution 😟

mish

Unless you have a lot of tapes to capture, I would recommend a MiniDV camcorder with analog inputs and pass-through support over a Digital-8 camcorder. Such a camcorder provides the same conversion functionality as the Canopus box, but you also end up with an up-to-date digital camcorder.

Is the TRV330 still on the market? The Sony website only shows one Digital8 model, and that one does not play analog Hi-8 tapes.

Sure it is still available.

Sony DCR-TRV 330

I have one and it plays Hi-8 tapes and does a great job transferring analogue to dv.

:)Sue

Sure it is still available.

Sony DCR-TRV 330

Did you notice that it says "Item currently not available" at Amazon? I asked because this model is at least 6 years old. I didn't see one on eBay either.

Rats! No, I didn't see that, Tilman.

But, I found one on ebay Click Here

:)Sue

I may bid myself, if the OP doesn't! 🙂