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The Fastest Premium Video 8 to Digital Service
Your Video 8 tapes are probably 10 years old or older, which puts them in serious jeopardy of degradation, loss in quality, or irreparable damage. But there’s hope because you can convert Video 8 to digital download, DVD, or USB flash drive to enjoy, share, and cherish your memories forever.
Capture is the go-to brand for major retailers like Walmart, CVS, and more. When we convert Video 8 tapes to digital format, our exclusive with Google Photos also allows you to quickly access your memories in the Google Photos Library.
Our professional digital transfer service not only provides the highest-quality results for your Video 8 tapes, but we also take exceptional care of your cherished home videos. Plus, you will receive your original video cassettes and digital copies in less than 30 days, compared with other digitization services that take as long as 70+ days.
Why Should You Convert Video 8 to Digital?
Since Video 8 tapes can deteriorate over time, digitizing can preserve your home movies to ensure your legacy lives on.
By digitizing your Video 8 tapes, you can protect your cherished family memories from catastrophic events, like fire, theft, or flood.
With digital copies of your old Video 8 tapes, you can organize by renaming, archiving, and adding additional information to your video files.
When you convert Video 8 tapes to digital files, you can save space by storing them on external hard drives, Mac and Windows computers, USB flash drives, or in the cloud (iCloud, Google Photos, Dropbox).
Future generations are unlikely to have a VHS VCR as well as an adapter to play 8mm video formats, but a high-quality digital video transfer allows your loved ones to view family memories with digital playback for years to come.
By transferring analog video tapes to digital formats, your loved ones won’t have to fight over physical copies and you will be able to share special home movies online, on social media, or by email.
When you convert old Video 8 tapes, you can immediately use advanced features on platforms like Google Photos, including search, archive, and reminder tools.
With digital videos contained on AVI, MOV, and MP4 files, you can use video editing software to enhance the original media to high-definition or create new memories by combining old video memories with new footage.
What is the Difference Between Video 8, Hi-8, 8mm Cassettes, Super 8, and VHS?
There are multiple 8mm tapes that relate to the PAL or NTSC format and the differences can be a little confusing.
In addition, there are VHS, Super 8 film, and 8 mm film to consider that are completely different from 8mm cassettes.
Kodak released the first analog 8mm video formatin 1984, which was followed by Sony introducing theVideo 8 format.
Video 8 was originally called Handycam, which was a name also used for Hi8 tapes and Digital 8 video cameras that came a little later. These were all used as names to differentiate from the Sony Betamax format and these 8mm video formats were introduced to make it easier to use a camcorder with a smaller cassette as opposed to using full-size VHS video tapes for camcorders.
Basically, Video 8, Hi 8 tapes, Digital 8, and 8mm cassettes are all similar camcorder tapes with different specs and definitions.
However, after recording, you would have to view them using an adapter on your specific 8mm camcorder or 8mm tape player. They were competitors of the VHS-C, a compact VHS tape that served a similar purpose but could easily play on a VCR with a VHS adapter.
Finally, 8mm film and Super 8 film reelsare not tape cassettes like Video 8. Instead, they use a reel-to-reel projector instead of a cassette box with magnetic tape.
What options are there for Video 8 Digital Conversion?
There are several different choices when it comes to digitizing your Video 8 tapes, each offering its own set of pros and cons.
Collapsible content
Video 8 to Digital Converter
A digital converter can be used to convert Video 8 to digital. Some options use a USB cable to connect to your computer and an RCA cable to connect to your 8mm camcorder, video camera, or Video 8 compatible player. One affordable option is the Elgato Video Capture option for $86.98, or you can go for the higher quality ClearClick that includes a real-time LCD screen for $159.95. The downside is that you still need a way to play your Video 8 tapes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Produces good results
Cons
- Time-consuming with real-time digitization
- Targeted toward tech-savvy users
- Requires an 8mm camcorder or Video 8 device for playback (and may require additional adapters)
Screen Recording
This option allows you to record your home movies using a digital camera, camcorder, or smartphone. Then, you can upload the footage to a hard drive or another device. However, the results are low quality because of movement, outside noise, and other factors. It still may be worth trying as an easy, fast way to preserve your video 8 tapes before they degrade.
Pros
- Easy
- Affordable (if you already have a digital camera)
Cons
- Low-quality results
- Shows glares, sounds, and other imperfections
- Time-consuming with real-time recording
Capture
Capture will convert Video 8 to digital with professional quality so that your home movies can be preserved forever. As the fastest service, we will convert Video 8 tapes to digital in less than 30 days (compared with the industry average of 70+ days) while tracking your precious memories every step of the way for peace of mind. Plus, if you aren’t satisfied, we will even reprocess your videotapes for free!
Pros
- Professional quality results, guaranteed
- Convert Video 8 to digital in 30 days or less, counting shipping, as opposed to the 70+ day standard
- Produces your choice of DVD, digital download, or USB flash drive
Cons
- Doesn’t offer video editing services or enhanced color or resolution (but you can use your own video editing software to improve the quality of high-definition digital videos)
Local Stores and Retailers
There may be local stores in your area that offer Video 8 digitization services. In addition, major retailers like Walmart and CVS can convert Video 8 to Digital, but their services are fulfilled by Capture, which means you get all the benefits of professional digital conversion that we offer every customer.
Pros
- Fulfilled by Capture at many retailers for professional quality service
- Good customer support
- Efficient compared to the industry standard of 70+ days
Cons
- Pricing depends on the specific retailer or local store
- Can be expensive
- Not every retail location or community offers Video 8 to digital services (even places that offer the more popular VHS to DVD player services may not offer video transfer for 8mm cassettes)
What Makes Capture the Best Choice to Convert Video 8 to Digital?
State-of-the-Art Tracking and Security
24/7 tracking to see where your Video 8 tapes are located every step of the way.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
If you’re unhappy with the digital results, we’ll reprocess them for free.
Auto Integration with Google Photos
Transfer your home movies automatically to Google Photos (we also help iCloud users to upload media to their accounts).
Sensitive Information Protection
Our secure system guarantees only customers have access to their memories.
Complimentary Backup
We offer a complimentary 60-day backup of your digitized media, so your home movies are protected no matter what.
The Fastest Turnaround Time
You will receive your digital copies within 30 days instead of the industry average of 70+ days.
Quality Care
We take great care in handling your Video 8 tapes because the memories they contain are priceless.
Media Repairs
We fix issues like broken cases and mild ribbon damage, as well as clean mold from videotapes.
How Our Video 8 to Digital Service Preserves Your Legacy
Your Video 8 tapes might be durable, but they won’t last forever. You can preserve your captured memories and experiences with high-quality digital conversion services using Capture.
Create high-quality digital files of your old Video 8 tapes in three simple steps:
Create your order using the button below. Then, gather your Video 8 tapes as well as any information you want to provide to ensure a satisfactory tape transfer.
Send us your Video 8 from your local courier. You can add a shipping label during the easy Capture checkout process.
In less than 30 days, you will receive digital videos of your Video 8 memories as well as your original cassettes in the same condition (or better if they require cleaning or repairs!).
Pricing and Turnaround Time to Convert Video 8 to Digital
Pricing and Turnaround Time to Convert Video 8 to Digital
When you transfer Video 8 tapes to digital with Capture, you will only pay for what you get because we price our services based on the length of the tape. Starting at $29.99 for the first two hours of each tape, we can digitize each additional 2 hours for $29.99.
In addition, when needed, this affordable pricing includes Video 8 tape repair and case replacement services. If the actual length is longer than what you originally paid for, our friendly customer support team will contact you to confirm what to digitize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Video 8 was the first 8mm cassette tape released by Sony in 1985. These Video 8 tapes made it easier to record videotapes with an 8mm camcorder instead of a VHS camcorder that was very bulky.
There are two main ways to put Video 8 home movies on a Mac or Windows computer. The first is to do so yourself with a digital converter. This can be a good option if you have a lot of time on your hands and some understanding of technology. The second option is to have Capture transfer Video 8 to digital download onto your computer or convert the videotapes into DVD or USB flash drive versions.
1. Once we receive your Video 8 tapes, we will carefully check for damage and scan through the home videos.
2. Then, we use professional converting equipment to transfer your home movies by hand into the highest quality digital format.
3. Before returning the original and digital versions back to you, we will check the color and quality and save a backup to ensure your memories are protected.
4. You will receive your original Video 8 tapes and digital versions in less than 30 days, including shipping, so you can start enjoying and sharing your home movies soon!
2. Then, we use professional converting equipment to transfer your home movies by hand into the highest quality digital format.
3. Before returning the original and digital versions back to you, we will check the color and quality and save a backup to ensure your memories are protected.
4. You will receive your original Video 8 tapes and digital versions in less than 30 days, including shipping, so you can start enjoying and sharing your home movies soon!
There are several 8 mm tape types including the original Handyman Video 8 analog recording, the improved Hi8 variety that combined analog video with analog audio with provision for digital audio, and the more recent Digital8 digital video format.
Video 8 tapes will start to degrade after approximately 10 years, which can reduce video quality. When exposed to heat and humidity, they may degrade even faster. To avoid losing your home videos forever, it’s a good idea to convert Video 8 tapes to digital as soon as possible.
What Other Formats of Videotapes Can Capture Preserve?
Don’t see a format that matches what you’re looking for?
