« Windows SP2 ready | Main | Expert Guide :: Video Editing »
August 10, 2004
Digital8 FAQ
The features offered in the Digital8 format are comparable to those offered in the Mini-DV camcorders, except for one key ability. The Digital8 camcorder can playback your old 8mm and Hi8 videos. The Digital8 format uses the 8mm tapes, but reduces the recording time. It can record up to 500 lines of resolution for one hour per tape.
1. Are the recording times for 8mm and
Digital8 the same?
2. Can I connect
a D8 camera to a PC/Mac?
3. Can I have
Video8 and Hi8 recordings on the same tape as D8
recordings?
4. Can I playback
D8 recordings on a DV or MiniDV player?
5. Can I playback
D8 recordings on a Video8 or a Hi8 player?
6. Can I playback
my current Video8 or Hi8 tapes on a D8 Camcorder?
7. Can I use a
Digital8 Handycam to convert other analog formats to digital?
8. Can I use my
Digital8 Handycam to edit on my computer?
9. Do Digital8
Handycams have Stamina?
10. Does Digital8
have an LP mode?
11. Do I need any other cable than the i.LINK
Cable to connect to a PC/Mac?
12. Do I need special Digital8 tapes?
13. Format
comparison at a glance ...
14. How can I make
copies of my Digital8 recordings?
15. How much better
will Digital8 look?
16. Is Audio Dubbing
possible with Digital8 comcorders?
18. So can I
still use my current Hi8 tapes to record in a D8 camera?
19. What does it mean
that Digital8 is backward compatible?
20. What is the
difference between Digital8 and DV?
21. What type of
sound quality does Digital8 offer?
22. Why should I
upgrade to Digital?
1. Are the recording times for 8mm and Digital8 the
same?
No. Although Digital8 uses the same 8mm tapes, recording times differ
as a result of recording in digital. For recording in the Australian
standard of PAL, the recording time is 2/3 of the analog recording time.
So on a P120 (120 minutes in analog), a Digital8 Handycam will record 80
minutes in SP mode.
Newer Digital8 models have an LP record feature which allow you to record the
same amount of video as analog SP mode (in thos example, 120 minutes).
back to top
2. Can I connect a D8 Camera to a
PC/Mac?
Yes. Using the built-in i.LINK terminal, you can easily connect a Digital8
Handycam to a personal computer by using an i.LINK cable, an optional capture
board and editing software. If you already have a computer with an i.LINK terminal
(also named FireWire™ or IEEE 1394), all you need is editing software. You can
even use the camera to convert your analog Video8 or Hi8 recordings into digital
signal for editing on your computer!
back to top
3. Can I have Video8 and Hi8 recordings on the same
tape as D8 recordings?
Yes. Playback momentarily pauses whilst the Handycam detects the different
recording system. The equipment automatically adjusts, and playback resumes.
4. Can I playback D8 recordings on a DV or MiniDV
player?
No. Although both systems are digital, the different tape sizes and the way
the information is arranged on the tape means they are not compatible. By using
Sony's optional LaserLink receiver; you can playback your recordings on your
TV without having to wrestle with messy connecting cables!
5. Can I playback D8 recordings on a Video8 or a
Hi8 player?
No. Due to D8 using digital recording technology, analog Video8 and Hi8 cannot
read the D8 format.
6. Can I playback my current Video8 or Hi8 tapes
on a D8 Handycam?
Yes! This is one of the unique features of Sony's D8 Handycams. You can enjoy
the superior advantages of digital recording without having to sacrifice your
precious analog library.
7. Can I use a Digital8
Handycam to convert other analog formats to digital?
Yes! Although possible in the 1999 range**, it's even easier with newer models
- with complete pass-through analog-to-digital conversion. This means you can
feed an analog signal into the video inouts of the camera, and it will immediately
convert it to a digital signal to the i.LINK socket. No need to buy a separate
converter box - Sony digital cameras have it built-in!
8. Can I use my Digital8
Handycam to edit on my computer?
You can use your Digital8 Handycam to edit on the Sony VAIO Digital Studio
series computers, and many other computers that feature either analog capture
capability, or full motion digital capture utilizing the i.LINK (IEEE-1394)
interface for digital connection between computer and camcorder. Video played
back in the Digital8 Handycam for the purpose of digital editing may not be
compatible with some other manufacturer's full motion digital capture/editing
devices. Please check with the device manufacturer for more information.
9. Do Digital8 Handycams have Stamina?
Yes! All Digital8 Handycam camcorders will record up to 10 hours on one charge
of the optional NP-F950 InfoLithium battery (with the LCD closed).
10. Does Digital8 have an LP mode?
Yes. Models introduced in 2000 will have an LP record mode.
11. Do I need any other cable than the
i.LINK Cable to connect to a PC/Mac?
No. The i.LINK cable will transmit all the picture, sound and other data both
to and from the camcorder. This means you have one cable, and less confusion.
12. Do I need special Digital8 tapes?
No. You can use standard 8mm or Hi8 tapes in your Digital8 Handycam. Sony recommends
Hi8 metal particle tapes for best performance.
13. Format Comparison at a Glance
| size=2>Video8 | size=2>Hi8 | size=2>D8 | size=2>MiniDV | |||
| Recording Technology | size=2>Analog | size=2>Analog | size=2>Digital | size=2>Digital | ||
| Horizontal Resolution | size=2>~280 lines | size=2>~440 lines | size=2>~500 lines | size=2>~500 lines | ||
| Playback Video8 | size=2>yes | size=2>yes | size=2>yes | size=2>no | ||
| Playback Hi8 | size=2>no | size=2>yes | size=2>yes | size=2>no | ||
| Playback D8 | size=2>no | size=2>no | size=2>yes | size=2>no | ||
| Playback DV | size=2>no | size=2>no | size=2>no | size=2>yes | ||
14. How can I make copies of my Digital8
recordings?
Making copies from the Digital8 Handycam is easy. Record to VHS, or another
analog source such as a Video 8 or Hi8 Handycam, by using the video outputs
located on the side of the Digital8 Handycam camcorder, with the supplied audio/video
cables. When making digital copies, use the i.LINK interface to connect to a
DV Handycam, second Digital8 Handycam, or other Digital product equipped with
the i.LINK interface. Making digital copies means no loss of quality, so copies
look as good as originals.
15. How much better will Digital8 look?
Digital8 has the ability to reproduce up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution
for sharp, highly detailed images. That's more than twice the capability of
VHS or VHS-C. Digital8 also has very good signal to noise reduction, which makes
your video extremely clean and clear. Because the video is recorded digitally
to a high quality tape, your Digital8 videos will also look great for longer,
so memories can be enjoyed for many years after the video is recorded without
suffering the deteriorating effects of other types of video.
16. Is Audio Dubbing possible with Digital8
camcorders?
Digital8 records audio in 12-bit AND 16-bit PCM modes. While current models
do not incorporate audio dubbing functions, the 12-bit recording mode let's
you add narration background music to your video with a DV VCR or camcorder
after dubbing to the DV format.
Yes. D8 uses the same video technology used by DV and MiniDV cameras. It too
offers up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution, the difference being that D8
records onto readily available Hi8 cassettes.
18. So can I still use my current Hi8 tapes to
record in a D8 camera?
Yes. D8 records onto standard Hi8 tapes. To record the higher quality picture
and sound, D8 cameras use a faster tape speed than analog cameras. This means
you achieve two-thirds the recording time of Hi-8*. For example, a 90-minute
Hi8 tape will offer you 60 minutes of D8 recording.
19. What does it mean that Digital8 is backward
compatible?
Digital8 Handycams are capable of playing back virtually any 8mm or Hi8 analog
cassette. Your existing library of 8mm and Hi8 analog videotapes can still be
played back in your new Digital8 Handycam. Also, if you currently have VHS,
VHS-C, or Beta tapes, you can record them onto Digital8 using the analog inputs
found on all Digital8 Handycam camcorders.
20. What is the difference between Digital8 and
DV?
Basically, Digital8 and DV share the same picture quality, sound quality, and
PC interfacing capabilities. Digital8 Handycam camcorders also offer playback
compatibility for 8mm analog recordings as well as many features such as Analog
to Digital conversion, making it the right choice for consumers seeking high
quality and great value. Sony Mini DV Digital Handycams, on the other hand,
incorporate exclusive devices, such as Zeiss lenses, and features such as Cassette
Memory and Audio Dubbing. Sony Mini DV Digital Handycams are also extremely
compact, making them the right choice for frequent travelers as well as users
who want to enjoy advanced video editing and PC interfacing.
21. What type of sound quality does Digital8
offer?
Digital8 records in 12-bit or 16-bit PCM (pulse code modulation) stereo audio.
This is the same type of digital audio quality applied to the compact disc,
which means the sound will be cleaner, more dynamic, and it has the capability
to reproduce wider frequency response than other consumer analog formats.
22. Why should I upgrade to Digital?
Digital technology offers far superior picture and sound quality. You can duplicate
a digital recording literally hundreds of times with virtually no loss in quality;
and digital recordings will remain crystal-clear for longer.
Posted by robeva at August 10, 2004 12:16 AM
Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)