One of the most common questions people have when buying a second hand camera to transfer 8mm tapes is:
"Is there a camera which is compatible with all 8mm tape formats?"
The answer is yes - but working out which models are compatible and which aren't can be challenging.
Based on my own experiences and internet research, I have put together the below list of Sony's Digital8 cameras.
Those with an "*" next to the model number will play back Video8 (Standard8) and Hi8 tapes as well as Digital8.
This information is correct to the best of my knowledge, but I still suggest getting confirmation from the seller before buying a camera to ensure it will be compatible.
DCR-TR7000E *
DCR-TR7100E *
DCR-TR8000E *
DCR-TR8100E *
DCR-TRV110E *
DCR-TRV120E *
DCR-TRV125E *
DCR-TRV130E
DCR-TRV140E
DCR-TRV145E
DCR-TRV147E
DCR-TRV210E *
DCR-TRV230E *
DCR-TRV235E *
DCR-TRV238E *
DCR-TRV239E *
DCR-TRV240E *
DCR-TRV241E *
DCR-TRV245E
DCR-TRV250E
DCR-TRV255E
DCR-TRV265E
DCR-TRV270E
DCR-TRV285E
DCR-TRV310E *
DCR-TRV320E *
DCR-TRV325E *
DCR-TRV330E *
DCR-TRV340E *
DCR-TRV341E *
DCR-TRV345E *
DCR-TRV355E *
DCR-TRV356E *
DCR-TRV410E *
DCR-TRV420E *
DCR-TRV430E *
DCR-TRV460E *
DCR-TRV461E *
DCR-TRV480E *
DCR-TRV510E *
DCR-TRV520E *
DCR-TRV525E *
DCR-TRV530E *
DCR-TRV620E *
DCR-TRV720E *
DCR-TRV725E *
DCR-TRV730E *
DCR-TRV738E *
DCR-TRV740E *
DCR-TRV820E *
DCR-TRV828E *
DCR-TRV830E *
Deck only ( No camera )
GV-D200E *
GV-D800E *
Thanks to Peter Brereton who posted this list originally on the AVForums.com forum.
The original discussion can be found at http://www.avforums.com/forums/camcorders-video-editing/861297-8mm-player.html
hello, this was very helpful, thank you! but does it matter if it was DCR-TRV330E or DCR-TRV330 NTSC ? my tapes are PAL.
ReplyDeleteYes , the E means PAL and the rest are NTSC . Read about these systems and you'll understand why they can not be compatible . I have a TRV 720 E , brought from USA in 1997 and it works 10 years in perfect condition , I replace the drum head and is perfect even now , when I have a HDR -XR 550 . The problem is that the firewire port of the TRV 720 was broken and I can't find anywhere that small board with the port . I am looking for years now and I think I'll buy an NTSC model only to replace the firewire port from it to my PAL camera .
DeleteI don't think it matters. It looks like it's just an extra letter from Sony. I had a trv480 that was damaged and a friend of mine let me borrow his trv250 and it doesn't play back my older 8mm tapes. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteAntonio
This is an extremely helpful site! I have 30+ year old V8 tapes and need to get them digitised. Beg steal borrow hire or buy a Sony DVC 8��
ReplyDeleteGreat info on compatibility. Thanks.
hi, did you find a camcorder? If so I'll buy it off you if you've finished with it?
DeleteDear Pete,
ReplyDeleteAre these TRV Series Camcorders able to playback Sony NTSC MP120 Video8 cassettes ?
Hi, I am curious to know if your 30 year tapes are still readable-hopefully yes!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your valuable information. It is very useful for us, Visit us:
ReplyDelete16mm film to dvd
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI have these non-working Sony Video cameras:
CCD-TR805 Hi8 NTSC
DCR-TRV340 NTSC.
Besides Hi8 and Digi8 recordings, I have some regular 8 recordings, too, and in order to digitise them and then save them, with the rest as DVDs, I needed a working camcorder that was compatible with all three formats.
I now live in India and could not get the Handycams repaired. During my last visit to the US, I bought online a refurbished Sony DCR-TRV330 NTSC. This model is compatible to all three.
I have an analog to digital converter - Dazzle - and I plan to digitalise over a hundred hours of recordings.
- jay thaker
Hi there - thanks so much for this guide, however even after following it I am having a problem that I am hoping you may be able to help with. I have a box of old camcorder tapes that were recorded on a Sony Handycam DCR-TRV320E (PAL). These tapes are of various formats - Video 8, Hi8 and Digital 8. I was playing back the tapes on the camera on which they were recorded just fine, until the connection to the buttons on the top of the tape deck failed and the eject button (and all the other buttons) stopped working.
ReplyDeleteI bought a replacement camera off eBay - a Sony Handycam DCR-TRV110E (PAL) which I saw on this guide that it should play all of the tapes that I have. When playing back the tapes on the camcorder (just using the camera, no other equipment) the Video 8 and Hi8 tapes play back perfectly, however the Digital 8 tapes stutter and are very pixelated - it’s like they are trying to play back too fast. However, if i record new footage onto the Digital 8 tape and play it back it plays back just fine (So i don’t think theres a problem with dirty or misaligned heads, which is what I initially thought it might be) - the problem is only with the tapes that I recorded on the other camera (and these tapes were playing just fine on the other camera before it died). In the instruction manual for the camera it says something about digital 8 tapes being 2/3 the speed of Hi8 tapes? I have looked through various forums and troubleshooting guides but I can’t see anywhere how to fix this or force the camera to playback at a different speed.
When I put a Hi8 or Video 8 tape in and playback a symbol appear on the screen to say that its changing into video 8 / hi 8 mode, but when I put a Digital 8 tape in it doesn’t say that it is switching to Digital 8 mode. There is no way to force the camera to go into Digital 8 mode - the only options for playback modes are either ‘Video 8 /Hi 8’ or ‘Auto’. I did read on some forums that hitting the camera on the side might work, but that hasn’t helped.
Does anyone have any idea or how I can get the tapes to play back correctly?
James - That sounds to me like the misaligned heads existed on the other camera. If they were recorded with misaligned heads, the misaligned heads will play back their own recordings fine, but the tapes will look strange on other cameras. I don't think there's a way to force the camera to look for Digital 8, but I think the way that it's set up, it assumes everything is Digital unless it either detects otherwise or you force it to assume analog (the "Video 8/Hi 8" option). Hope this helps!
DeleteThis Can Happen if the tapes are recorded in Video8(NOT Hi8) Format or in LP mode
ReplyDeleteI have one question, i have Sony CCD-TR380E, the camera head is not working now, and i decided to buy a Video Walkman from ebay, but i am too much confused which one will be compatible with the cassettes i have recorded with my Sony CCD-TR380E.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone help please.
Video8 plays Video8
ReplyDeleteHi8 plays Hi8 and Video 8
Digital8 plays Digital8 Video8 and Hi8
LP will depend on the camera model supporting the feature.
MY 245E SONY WILL NOT PLAY OLD TAPES...BUT WILL RECORD AND PLAY BACK AS NORMAL...ANY IDEAS?
ReplyDeleteThe 245 model was not made to play back video 8 or Hi 8 tapes This will only play and record in Digital
DeleteNot all Sony digital 8 camcorders will play analogue tapes When buying a used Sony camcorder make sure you buy a model listed as plays Digital 8 Hi 8 and 8
These are usually more expencive
Sony 8 and Hi 8 will not play Digital 8 tapes
thanks for having this blog out there. helped me realize a digital camera i borrowed from a friend wouldn't playback my old analog tapes. I was beginning to worry that the tapes themselves were bad. But now I know I'm not crazy. The TRV250 doesn't playback the analog. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteWhen playing back a video 8 tape in a digital8 camcorder, is the output digitized? I have many video8 cassettes that I want to burn on DVD.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the sharing! COOL.. Photo cameras user manuals
ReplyDeleteThis is an extremely useful reference as I try to pick up a reasonably priced Digital8 cam to review my ancient Hi8 tapes. Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteI want to capture two Hi8 PAL analog cassettes, but I don't know which equipment to get, something not too expensive but with good quality because after the capture, I'll no longer use the playback device (camcorder or cassette reader). I also want to capture some old VHS NTSC cassettes, that is why thinking of a DV Deck for the Hi8 was not an option, I was thinking of some playback device for the Hi8 using the "Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac", but I saw a video online telling that it can have some black flashes. What you'll recommend?
ReplyDeleteI just want to thank you for sharing your information and your site or blog this is simple but nice Information I’ve ever seen i like it i learn something today. 8mm tape to dvd
ReplyDelete