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converting Hi8 to digital with XHA1
I have a lot of archival footage in the Hi8 format and am using the XHA1 to put it in digital format. I don’t see any way to get true S-VHS into the camera as there is not any input for it that I see. Included in the hardware was a normal audio/video cable with a single point input into the camerea which I’m assuming is not true S-VHS. Am I missing something or is there a better solution, or does it really matter? TIA-Gary
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8 Replies
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A really good solution to this is to buy a Digital8 format camcorder.
These are/were very common and relative inexpensive.
Buy one that will PLAY Hi8 analog and send it out the FireWire jack.
The camera will do the A-to-D internally.
If you have a lot of Hi8, this should help you.
An example-
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCRTRV460-Digital8-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B0001BW0U6
Sony DCRTRV460 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder
from $299.99
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To answer your direct question-
The list of specs for the Canon XH A1 at
https://www.camcorderinfo.com/specs/Canon/XL%20H1.htm
says-
SVideo input – YES.
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I cannot find any images of the camera showing an SVideo port of any kind.
The B&H site lists the following:
Input and Output Connectors
Audio: XLR (x2 Input)
BNC Video
Component Video
Composite Video
FireWire
Microphone: 3.5 mm
Headphones: 3.5 mm
LANC Terminal
—————————No mention of SVideo there.
If you intend to use this camera for your archiving, I stand on my first post of converting the Hi8 analog to FireWire DV inside the Digital8 camncorder.
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Matte, really appreciate your time. I think the above link is for the XL1, not XHA1 and if there’s a S-VHS input on this camera it’s well hidden-lol-will look into the other camera you mentioned and that sounds like an excellent solution. I doubt that anyone could probably tell whether I used S-VHS or regular 8 anyway except some real pros. Thanks again and all the best-Gary
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Matte, I bit the bullet and got on E-bay and ordered a Sony D-8, hope I don’t get screwed-lol-Appreciate your input and think this will be an excellent solution, even though I’m disappointed Canon didn’t simply put a S-vhs input in when they have every darn thing else-all the best-Gary
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[Goldbuggary] ” bit the bullet and got on E-bay and ordered a Sony D-8, hope I don’t get screwed-lol”
Let me know how it works for you.
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Okay, problem solved. I just bought a Sony GV-D800 video Walkman. This is a Digital8 VCR. It is backwards compatible and I started transferring Hi8 tapes yesterday. I paid $566 for it new and I am truly impressed with this unit and it even has TBC for stability of Hi8 playback. The only reason I needed this is that I’m producing some documetaries and wanted the best quality available for capture. If you are just doing hobby work a Digital8 camcorder should suffice and many models are available on E-bay. I’m using the upgraded Adobe CS3 for capture and the process has been flawless with the GV-D800.
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Matte, I didn’t know if my latest post would be sent to you so posted this. just look at my latest for results on the Hi8 transfer-thanks-Gary
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