How Does Capture Hi8 to Digital Conversion Work?



When we transfer Hi8 to digital, we preserve your legacy using high-quality equipment designed to produce a professional result, guaranteed.

Converting Hi8 to digital is easy using these three simple steps:

Create your order using the button below. Then gather your Hi8 home movies and any additional information that you want to provide.

Send us your Hi8 tapes by adding a shipping label during the checkout process and then dropping them off at your local UPS store.

In less than 30 days, you will receive your new digital video versions as well as your original analog Hi8 videotapes in the same condition (or better if they require repairs or cleaning).

Why Should You Convert Hi8 to Digital Format?



There are many reasons to turn analog video cassettes into digital video format, including:

The magnetic tape in your Hi8 tapes deteriorates in 10 to 25 years but converting the home movies into digital files can preserve those cherished moments for eternity.

A Hi8 tape transfer to digital can protect your memories from floods, fires, and theft.

You will be able to rename, archive, and add additional information to digital copies of your home movies.

Hi8 video cassettes might be smaller than VHS tapes, but they still take up a lot of space compared to digital downloads that can be stored and viewed on your Mac or Windows computer, hard drive, or in the cloud using iCloud or Google Photos.

As Hi8 camcorders and TV adapters become more obsolete, a Hi8 tape transfer makes it easy for future loved ones to view, share, and enjoy your precious memories.

By converting Hi8 to digital, you ensure that all your friends and family can enjoy your priceless moments without fighting over a single cassette. Plus, it is easy to share digital files around the globe on social media and via email.

With digital copies of your Hi8 tapes, you can use platforms like Google Photos to take advantage of modern features like search and reminder tools.

After digital transfer, you can use your own video editing software or digital audio tools to improve the quality of your home videos or even create new memories by combining old footage with new digital video.

What is the Difference Between Hi8 Tapes, Video8, and Digital8?

Hi8, Video8, and Digital8 are three separate formats of 8mm tapes, which means they use 8 mm magnetic tape for audio/video recording.

Video8 was the original format. However, Sony later released the higher-quality Video Hi8, short for High-Brand Video8, to compete with the Super-VHS format. Digital8 was yet another improvement that used digital recording instead of analog within the 8 mm tape format.

These tapes were much smaller than VHS tapes, which made it easier to record home movies because of the much smaller and lighter Sony Handycam. Later, the VHS-C format was released to offer a compact and VCR-compatible alternative to Hi8. Capture can transfer all these 8 mm video tape formats and more!



Get Started Now

What Options are There to Transfer Hi8 to Digital?


There are a few different options to convert Hi8 to digital at home or by using a professional transfer service. Each offers different benefits and downsides.

Digital converters can attach to your Hi8 camcorder or other Hi8 playback device to turn analog cassettes into digital copies. While easy to use, you will still need a camcorder and possibly an extra HDMI or FireWire adapter to use the Hi8 to digital software. Video capture card options on Amazon, like the ClearClick Video to Digital Converter, can work well, but they are still time-consuming and may not produce the highest quality result. One thing to note is that not all of these options will work with the NTSC Hi8 format.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Mediocre video quality as Mp4 or MPEG files
  • Time-consuming (will transfer in real-time)
  • Must already have a Hi8 camcorder

If you have a Hi8 camcorder or 8 mm cassette recorder, then you can simply use a tripod to set up a digital camera or smartphone to record your home videos while they play. This is a cheap and easy way to preserve your home movies, especially if they are deteriorating. However, the quality will be subpar at best.

Pros

  • Affordable (if you already have a smartphone or digital camera)
  • Works with most Mac and PC computers
  • Easy

Cons

  • Time-consuming
  • Requires some technical knowledge to transfer Super 8 to digital
  • Will record outside noise
  • Low quality may show glares, dust, debris, and jitters

Using our professional service is the best way to convert Hi8 to digital because you get high-quality results, friendly service, affordable prices, security for your memories, and guaranteed satisfaction. We even offer videotape repair and case replacement as needed. Plus, compared with other services that take 70+ days to deliver your original tapes alongside digital copies, we can preserve your memories in less than 30 days.

Pros

  • Affordable starting at $29.99 for the first two hours of Hi8 video (and $29.99 for every 2 hours after)
  • Professional results are guaranteed, or we will reprocess your Hi8 tapes free of charge
  • Fast process in less than 30 days compared to the industry average of 70+ days

Cons

  • We don’t enhance colors or improve the resolution of your home videos (but you can use video editing software on the digital copies yourself!)

 What Makes Capture the Best Hi8 Transfer Service?

Trusted by top retail brands

We have exclusive partnerships with major retailer brands like Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Google Photos, and CVS.

A state-of-the-art tracking and security system

By tracking your media every step of the way, you can have peace of mind knowing that your precious memories are in good hands.

Guaranteed results

If you’re dissatisfied with the results, we will reprocess your Hi8 tapes for free.

Automatic Integration with Google Photos

Automatically transfer your digital copies to your Google Photos library (or upload media to your iCloud account with our help!).

Sensitive Information Protection

Our secure Memory Cloud storage system guarantees only customers have access to their memories.

Complementary backup

We offer a complimentary 60-day backup of your digitized memories, so your home movies are never lost.

Fast Turnaround Time

You will receive your digital versions (and original tapes) within 30 days instead of the industry standard of 70+ days.

Quality Care

We handle your analog videotape memories with care while creating priceless digital heirlooms that are guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Media Repairs

We fix minor issues with your Hi8s including mild ribbon damage and mold on your magnetic tape.

Rated 4.9/5

12 Million Happy Customers

Henry

They did an excellent job! The transfer of my vhs camcorder cassette to dvd looks great, and I had good email updates throughout the process to know where it was at.

Massachusetts

Mike

I highly recommend Capture for VHS to DVD transfers. They do quality work. The music they use to showcase certain footage enhances the quality and the memories.

US

Phil

It was amazing what you did to digitize my 40 year old movies. They appear to be better than the original movie itself. Picture quality is very sharp and crisp.

Conneticut

M. Camp

This means so much to me – you don't know. My dad was a movie taker, and now it's me who is passing along the tradition.

Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions

Sony introduced Hi8 tapes as a high-quality version of Video8 in 1989 to compete with the S-VHS format. Hi8 tapes are a type of 8mm tape, which means they can be used with the Handycam device, much smaller than a VHS camcorder tape, which made making home movie memories easier than before. Other companies made camcorders compatible with Hi8 as well, including RCA, Canon, Samsung, and Nikon.

On their own, old Hi8 video and audio cassettes aren’t worth much. You can find them on eBay for cheap, but the memories contained on them are priceless. That’s why it is important to convert Hi8 to digital before you lose your home movies as the magnetic tape begins to decay.

No, because a standard VCR is designed to play VHS tapes. To view Hi8 tapes on a VCR, DVD player, or anything other than a specific Hi8 camcorder or player, you will need to transfer them into DVD, USB flash drive, or digital copies.

As long as you have a Hi8 camcorder or recorder, you can use a digital converter to transfer your memories into digital format yourself, but it is time-consuming and may not offer the best quality. For professional results, it’s best to use a Hi8 to digital service like Capture.

By using Capture, you can convert Hi8 into digital download, DVD, or USB drive copies. Plus, we will secure your cherished memories for 60 days with a complimentary backup.

Yes! Additionally, Capture provides regular email updates and a revolutionary barcode tracking and security system that ensures we know exactly where your precious memories are throughout the entire conversion process.