Convert 8mm Tape to Digital
Professional Hi8, Video8 & Digital8 Transfer Service
Looking to convert 8mm tape to digital files? Our professional 8mm tape to digital conversion service helps families throughout the US preserve irreplaceable memories. Whether you need to convert Hi8 to digital, digitize Video8 tapes, or transfer Digital8 recordings, we handle all 8mm cassette formats with expert care.
Based in Fairfield County, CT, our 8mm tape transfer to digital service uses broadcast-quality equipment specifically designed for digitizing 8mm tapes, ensuring your vacation videos, birthday parties, and precious family moments are preserved in the highest quality digital format.
Every 8mm tape to digital conversion is performed by experienced technicians who understand how to get the best results from aging magnetic tape.
Don't let your 8mm tape collection deteriorate while good camcorders become hard to find - our professional tape conversion also handles related formats like MiniDV camcorder tapes and VHS family videos, making us your complete solution for preserving all your precious video memories.
8mm Tape to Digital Pricing Options
Ready to convert 8mm tape to digital? Choose from our Standard or Premium transfer options.
STANDARD TRANSFER
(Most popular)
$29.99
PREMIUM TRANSFER
$39.99
Choose a transfer that’s right for you
Not sure which type is best for your needs? Get in touch today and we’d be happy to help you decide!
or call us on (203) 208-9447
Bulk discounts
When you have a whole lot of memories…
10% OFF
6-19 tapes =
20% OFF
20+ tapes =
8mm Tape Transfer Service Throughout Fairfield County & Beyond
Looking to convert 8mm tape to digital near you? Need to convert Hi8 to digital or digitize Video8 tapes locally? Our professional 8mm tape transfer service serves customers throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut and nationwide with convenient shipping options.
Local 8mm tape digitization with free pickup in:
Bridgeport | Fairfield | Norwalk | Stamford | Darien | Greenwich | Westport | Monroe | Trumbull
Shelton | Milford | New Haven | Stratford | New Canaan | Wilton | Southport
Our professional 8mm tape to digital conversion lab serves customers throughout Connecticut who want to convert 8mm tape formats including Video8, Hi8, and Digital8. Whether you're digitizing 8mm tapes from the 1980s or converting Hi8 to digital from the 1990s or 2000s, we provide expert 8mm tape transfer to digital with free local pickup.
Whether you need to digitize 8mm tapes locally or convert Hi8 to digital from anywhere in the US, Remember Whenever provides expert Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 transfer service. Our professional 8mm tape conversion handles all 8mm camcorder tape formats.
We offer free pickup and delivery throughout all of the area below:
How to Convert 8mm Tape to Digital Files
When you convert 8mm tape to digital, the process matters as much as the equipment. Our 8mm tape to digital conversion workflow begins with careful inspection of each tape to identify the format (Video8, Hi8, or Digital8) and assess its physical condition. Many tapes have deteriorated over decades of storage, which is why having the right playback equipment and expertise is essential.
We use top-of-the-line video cameras and decks from all major brands - Sony, Canon, JVC, Panasonic - to play back your tapes. Through years of experience digitizing 8mm tapes, we've discovered that tapes often play back best on the same brand of camera they were recorded on. That's why we maintain a complete arsenal of high-end equipment, so if we encounter playback issues, we can try your tape in different machines to get optimal results.
Every 8mm tape transfer to digital is captured in real-time using digital FireWire connection directly to our capture computers. A 2-hour tape takes the full 2 hours to properly digitize, there are no shortcuts. This FireWire capture method preserves the original digital quality without any loss through analog cables, ensuring you get the absolute best results when you convert Hi8 to digital, digitize Video8 tapes, or transfer Digital8 recordings. Our 8mm tape to digital conversion delivers the highest quality your tapes are capable of producing.
Why Professional Equipment Matters for 8mm Tape Transfer
The equipment and expertise used for 8mm tape to digital conversion makes a dramatic difference in your final results. Many DIY USB capture devices (especially those under $100) use MPEG2 compression, which is extremely lossy and degrades your footage quality. Some national mail-in services capture Digital8 tapes through RCA analog cables instead of digital connections, immediately losing the quality advantage that Digital8 format provides.
When you convert 8mm tape with Remember Whenever, we capture everything digitally through FireWire connections. This means Digital8 tapes are transferred as true digital files without any analog conversion step. For Video8 and Hi8 formats, we use high-end playback cameras that provide superior signal quality compared to consumer-grade equipment.
Our 14 years of experience digitizing 8mm tapes means we've encountered virtually every problem that can occur with aging tapes. When tapes stick to themselves and shred during playback, we have tried-and-tested repair methods to salvage the footage. We can clean moldy tapes, splice broken tapes, and rehouse damaged cassettes. We've successfully recovered precious memories from tapes that other companies claimed were unplayable or delivered poor-quality transfers from because they didn't have the experience to diagnose and fix the issues.
If you've tried to convert 8mm tape at home and been disappointed with the results, or if another service couldn't handle your tapes, our professional 8mm tape transfer to digital service likely can. The difference isn't just about equipment, it's about the decades of hands-on expertise knowing exactly how to coax the best possible image from every tape, regardless of age or condition.
Do I Have Video8, Hi8, or Digital8 Tapes?
This is a very common question. All three formats use basically identical cassette shells - same size, same shape, same little 8mm tape inside. Looking at them sitting on your shelf, you'd swear they were all the same thing.
Here's what makes it even trickier: manufacturers could use the same physical tape for different recording formats. You might have a tape labeled "Hi8" that actually has Digital8 footage on it, or a regular Video8 tape that someone recorded Hi8 onto. The label on the tape doesn't always tell the whole story.
Sony tried to help a little bit with Digital8 tapes by printing both the analog recording time (like "120 minutes") and the digital recording time (like "60 minutes") on the label. But that only works if you actually have a tape that was specifically sold as Digital8, and plenty of people just used their old Hi8 tapes in Digital8 cameras.
The real difference between these formats isn't the tape itself - it's what kind of camera recorded on it and how. Video8 is the oldest and most basic. Hi8 is like Video8's smarter cousin with better picture quality. Digital8 is completely different - it's actually digital video stored on the same physical tape, but recorded at double speed.
Here's the frustrating part: there's really no foolproof way to tell just by looking. You can make some educated guesses based on when the tapes were recorded (Video8 was big in the late '80s, Hi8 through the '90s, Digital8 from 1999 on), but that's about it.
The only way to know for sure what you're dealing with is to try playing them back. And even then, you need the right equipment - Digital8 footage won't play in a regular Hi8 camera, and Hi8 footage might not look right in a Video8 player.
When people bring us boxes of these tapes, we just tell them not to worry about it. We've got equipment that can handle all three formats, and we'll figure out what's actually on each tape when we start the transfer process.
8mm Cassette Models We Convert to Digital
Planning to convert 8mm tape to digital? Our 8mm cassette transfer equipment handles every brand and format. Whether you need to convert Hi8 to digital, digitize Video8 tapes, or transfer Digital8, we recognize these model numbers and know exactly how to perform optimal 8mm tape to digital conversion for each type.
Sony 8mm Tape Models
P6-120MP, P6-120MPL, P6-120MPR, P6-90MP, P6-60MP, P6-60HG, P6-30MP, P6-120HMP, P6-120HMPX, P6-120HMPR, P6-120HMPD, P6-60HMP, P6-60HMPX, E6-120HMEX, E6-120MEAD, E6-30HME, N8-60P2
TDK 8mm Tape Models
HS120, HS90, HS30, P6-120MP, P6-120HS, P6-60MP, P6-120HP, P6-120H8MP, MP-120, MP-90, E6-120HMEL, D8-60EB, D8-90EA
Maxell 8mm Tape Models
P2-120, GX-MP, P6-120 GX, HGX-M, HGX-MP, P6-120EX, P6-30EX, P6-120XR, P6-120XRM, XR-M 90, Hi8-MP, GX-MP120, HGX, P6-60HM, EX-M120
Fuji 8mm Tape Models
P6-120, P6-60, P6-30, P6-120 M221MP, P6-60 M221MP, E6-120 M221E, PS-90, HI8MP3PK
Other Brands We Convert
Panasonic: NV-P6120H, NV-P6120SP
Polaroid, RCA, JVC: P6-120MP, P6-90MP, P6-60MP, P6-30MP
BASF, Konica, Kodak, AGFA: Various P6 series models
Don't See Your Model Number?
We digitize ALL Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 tapes regardless of brand or model number. If your tape says "Video8," "Hi8," "Digital8," or has any P6 or P5 model number, we can convert it to digital.
Our 8mm tape to digital conversion service handles tapes from the 1980s through 2000s using professional equipment designed specifically for 8mm tape transfer. Whether you have Sony P6-120HMP, TDK HS120, Maxell XR-Metal, or any other 8mm cassette model, we'll digitize your tapes and deliver high-quality digital files you can watch on any device.
What's Included in Every Transfer
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You pick whichever format works best for you and we’ll do the rest.
If you need both files and discs, just add $10 per item.
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A free 30-day, unlimited download and sharing link (up to 100GB in size)
All of our orders for digital files come with a free download and sharing link so you can share your memories with as many family members and friends as you like.
Need longer than 30 days? We can store your files indefinitely for just $5 a month.
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If your tapes have labels, we’ll transfer those titles onto your files and discs, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Got dates on them? We’ll do our best to sort everything in chronological order. No extra charge, no extra hassle.
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Video tape audio can often be much quieter than expected, making it difficult to hear what’s going on.
We carefully amplify the signal to improve clarity and bring the sound back to a more natural level, without distorting it.
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Our video files are provided as high quality .MP4 files as standard (the most compatible format), so you can take them anywhere and load them on any device.
Professional Add-On Services
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$10 per tape
Video tapes often come with unwanted hissing and humming that can be a real distraction.
Our service reduces as much of that noise as possible while keeping everything else intact, so you can focus on the moments that matter, not the background buzz.
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$10 per tape
Older TVs didn’t show the entire video frame, leaving black borders around the footage. Now, with larger, high-resolution screens, those borders are visible and can look messy.
If you want a cleaner, more polished video, this service is for you.
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$10 per tape
Over time, video tapes naturally degrade, causing the picture to fade, a process known as “Tape Decay.”
We use specialized techniques to restore some of that lost clarity and bring your memories back to life.
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$10 per splice
If your tape or reel has snapped and just needs splicing back together, the doctor is in!
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$30 per tape
For more major repairs like rehousing or re-spooling your tape, this is our most comprehensive repair service.
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If the audio on your tape needs more TLC than just equalization, our experts are here to work their magic.
With decades of experience, we’ll bring clarity, warmth, and life back to your tapes, making them sound their absolute best.
See our Audio Restoration page for pricing
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All our orders come with a free download and sharing link, but if you’d like to add a USB drive to your order, we can get the right size for the media you have.
Our prices start at $12 and we can let you know how large a drive you’ll need.
Why Choose Remember Whenever to Digitize 8mm Tapes
Get it done once and get it done right - enjoy your family memories forever
Get the best, first time.
Quality work done by quality people
Only the best transfers, performed by expert technicians, using professional equipment.
30-day cloud storage & link sharing
Free download and sharing link with every order, so you can share your memories with as many family members and friends as you like.
Compatibility guaranteed
High quality .MP4 files as standard (the most compatible format), so you can take them anywhere and load them on any device.
From boxes in your basement to pictures on your screen
In four easy steps.
Contact us today to talk about your project and get a free, no-obligation quote.
We’ll come and pick up everything for free within our free pickup & delivery area ($1 per mile each way beyond).
Our expert techs will get to work on your project and they’ll be in touch if they have any questions.
Once we’re all set, we’ll let you know and schedule a convenient time to safely drop your newly digitized media back to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Some questions we often get about our video tape transfer process. If you have questions that you don’t see an answer to here or would like more information about our services, please contact us here or check out our main FAQ page.
How much does 8mm tape to digital conversion cost?
Our 8mm tape transfer service starts at $29.99 per tape for standard conversion and $39.99 for premium transfer with color correction and audio enhancement. We digitize Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 tapes at the same pricing. Bulk discounts available: 10% off for 6-19 tapes and 20% off for 20+ tapes. All 8mm tape to digital conversions include professional equipment and expert handling.
How long does 8mm tape transfer take?
Most 8mm tape to digital conversion projects are completed within a few business days from when we receive your tapes. Larger projects may take a week or longer. Rush service is available if you need your 8mm tape digitization completed faster. We'll provide a timeline estimate when you send your tapes and keep you updated throughout the process.
What 8mm tape formats can you convert to digital?
We convert all 8mm camcorder tape formats: Video8 (from 1985), Hi8 (from 1989), and Digital8 (from 1999). Our 8mm tape transfer service handles tapes recorded on any 8mm camcorder including Sony, Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and others. Not sure which format you have? We'll identify it and use the correct equipment to digitize 8mm tapes properly.
Can you convert Hi8 to digital if I don't know what format my tapes are?
Yes! Many people aren't sure if they have Video8, Hi8, or Digital8 tapes since they all look identical. Our 8mm tape to digital service includes format identification - we'll figure out what you have and use the appropriate equipment for the best quality transfer. This is included in our standard 8mm tape conversion pricing.
Do you provide 8mm tape transfer service near me?
If you're in Fairfield County, Connecticut, yes! We offer free local pickup for 8mm tape to digital conversion in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, Westport, and surrounding towns. For customers outside our local area, we provide nationwide 8mm tape digitization service - simply ship your Video8, Hi8, or Digital8 tapes to us and we'll ship everything back when complete.
What file format will my converted 8mm tapes be in?
All 8mm tape to digital conversions are delivered as high-quality MP4 files (.mp4), the most universally compatible format. MP4 files from your digitized Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 tapes work on all devices - iPhones, Android phones, computers, tablets, and smart TVs. We provide a complimentary download link for 30 days. Premium transfers can be delivered as Pro-Res files for professional editing.
Are my 8mm tapes degrading while they sit in storage?
Yes. Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 all use magnetic tape that degrades over time. Even Digital8, despite being "digital," still relies on physical magnetic tape that deteriorates. Colors fade, audio quality drops, and the tape itself can become brittle. Every year you wait means more quality loss. Our 8mm tape to digital service preserves what's left before further degradation occurs.
Can you repair damaged 8mm tapes?
Yes, in most cases. We can repair broken 8mm tapes, fix damaged cassette shells, and often salvage tapes with mold or other issues. If your tapes have physical damage, we'll assess them and let you know what's possible. Our 8mm tape transfer service includes careful handling and quotes for repair work when needed.
Do you offer Video8 to DVD transfer or just digital files?
While our primary 8mm tape to digital service delivers MP4 files (the most versatile format), we can also provide DVD copies of your converted Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 tapes. However, we recommend digital files as DVDs are becoming obsolete just like the tapes themselves. Digital files ensure your memories remain accessible on all modern and future devices.
How do I convert 8mm tape to digital?
To convert 8mm tape to digital properly, you need specialized playback equipment for Video8, Hi8, or Digital8 formats, plus professional capture hardware. It’s entirely possible to perform this process yourself but often people like to outsource to a professional service like ours. Our 8mm tape to digital conversion service handles the entire process - we'll pick up your tapes, use our professional 8mm cassette converter equipment to digitize them, and deliver high-quality MP4 files. Attempts to convert 8mm tape at home can often result in poor quality because consumer-grade equipment can't properly read aging magnetic tape and if you hit any snags with the tapes (physically or metaphorically!), you’re on your own. Our 8mm tape transfer to digital service starts at just $29.99 per tape.
Can I convert Hi8 to digital myself?
While it's technically possible to convert Hi8 to digital yourself, it requires a working Hi8 camcorder or deck, proper capture cards, and knowledge of video settings. Most people find it easier and more cost-effective to use our professional Hi8 to digital transfer service. We have specialized equipment for digitizing 8mm tapes that produces far better results than consumer methods, and we can handle damaged or deteriorating tapes that consumer equipment can't read. Our 8mm tape to digital conversion ensures you get the highest quality from your Hi8 tapes before they degrade further.
Is there an 8mm cassette converter adapter like VHS-C uses?
No, there are no 8mm cassette converter adapters or Video 8 digital converter cassettes like the ones that exist for VHS-C. Many people search for an "8mm camcorder tape converter" hoping to find an adapter that lets them play 8mm tapes in a VCR, but these don't exist because the formats are completely incompatible.
VHS-C adapters work because the tape is just miniaturized VHS tape - same recording format, same tape speed, just a smaller shell. The adapter simply lets a VCR's mechanism engage with the smaller cassette.
Video8, Hi8, and Digital8 use completely different recording technology than VHS. The tape is actually 8mm wide (VHS is 12.7mm), runs at different speeds, and uses entirely different recording patterns. An 8mm cassette converter adapter is physically impossible because you can't make 8mm format tapes play in VHS equipment.
To convert 8mm tape to digital, you need actual Video8/Hi8/Digital8 playback equipment - either a working camcorder or a dedicated deck. Since most people no longer have functioning 8mm camcorder tape converter equipment, our professional 8mm tape to digital conversion service provides the specialized playback decks needed. We handle all three formats (Video8, Hi8, and Digital8) regardless of tape age or condition. Our service starts at $29.99 per tape with free pickup throughout Fairfield County.
Ready to start your 8mm tape transfer project?
Get the best transfers, to the most compatible formats.
Fast turnarounds, but never rushed. With 14 years of experience in the industry, you’re in great hands.
Ready to convert 8mm tape to digital? Convert Hi8 to digital, digitize Video8 tapes, or transfer Digital8 - we handle all formats. Call (203) 208-9447 or get your free quote today!
All About 8mm Video Tapes
Hi8, Video8, and Digital8: The Evolution of Camcorder Tapes
If you had a camcorder in the '80s, '90s, or early 2000s, it’s likely your family videos ended up on Video8, Hi8, or Digital8 tapes.
These little cassettes were everywhere back then - way smaller and more convenient than lugging around those giant VHS camcorders that felt like carrying a briefcase.
These 8mm formats were kind of a big deal at the time. Better picture quality than VHS-C, longer recording time, and you could actually hold the camera without getting a workout. Pretty much every family had at least one of these camcorders for capturing birthdays, vacations, and all those random moments that seemed important enough to record.
The thing is, those tapes have been sitting around for decades now, and magnetic tape doesn't age like fine wine. If you've got a shoebox full of these somewhere, now's probably a good time to think about getting them converted before they start looking worse.
Video8: Sony’s Answer to VHS-C (1985)
If you were trying to capture family moments in the early '80s, you probably had a VHS-C or Betamax camcorder. The cameras worked okay, but those VHS-C tapes had this habit of running out at the worst possible times. Right when your toddler was taking their first steps, or just as grandpa started telling that story everyone loves - of course it runs out and you're scrambling for a new tape.
Sony must have been watching frustrated parents everywhere when they introduced Video8 in 1985. The cameras weren't really that much smaller, but those Video8 tapes were so much sturdier and could record for a full two hours. Suddenly you could relax and actually enjoy filming instead of constantly watching the tape counter.
It was such a relief for families. No more missing precious moments because you forgot to bring backup tapes to your daughter's recital. Businesses felt the same way - finally they could get through an entire staff meeting or training session without having to stop and switch tapes right in the middle of someone's presentation. The pros liked them too because Video8 just made their job easier and less stressful. Video8 gave everyone permission to focus on the memories instead of worrying about the equipment.
Hi8: Higher Resolution, Better Color (1989)
As the '80s wore on, people inevitably wanted their home videos to look better. Video8 was great for convenience, but when you got the camera all wired up to the big screen, they looked pretty soft and grainy next to regular TV shows and movies. You could definitely tell something was lacking.
Sony was paying attention to all this feedback when they came out with Hi8 in 1989. Think of it as Video8's overachieving younger brother - same size tape, but the picture quality was dramatically better. About twice as sharp, actually. Sony needed something to compete with S-VHS-C, which was trying to pull the same upgrade trick for VHS users.
Hi8 really took off during the '90s. Families appreciated how much cleaner their vacation videos looked, but it also became popular with people doing more serious filming - wedding videographers, small production crews, film students working on projects. You could get results that looked genuinely professional without spending professional money. It hit that perfect middle ground between "good enough for the family" and "actually impressive to watch."
Digital8: The Bridge Between Analog and Digital (1999)
By the late '90s, everyone was talking about "going digital" - computers, music, everything. Video was heading that way too, and Sony didn't want to get left behind. But they had a problem: millions of people already owned stacks of Video8 and Hi8 tapes, and Sony didn't want to make all that stuff obsolete overnight.
Their solution was pretty clever. In 1999, they introduced Digital8, which used the exact same Hi8 cassettes people already had, but recorded everything digitally instead of analog. The picture and sound quality was way better - crisp like a DVD instead of that soft analog look everyone was used to.
The really smart part was that Digital8 camcorders could still play your old Video8 and Hi8 tapes. So families didn't have to choose between their existing tape collection and the new digital world. Wedding videographers and small production companies loved this too - they could upgrade to digital quality while still being able to work with older footage. It was like having one foot in the past and one in the future.
8mm Video Tape Facts
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Thanks to their smaller cassette size, tight tape wind, and sealed plastic shells, 8mm formats (Video8, Hi8, Digital8) were less likely to develop mold compared to VHS or Betamax tapes, especially if stored properly. That makes them better survivors over decades in attic boxes and basements. Unfortunately we still see these tapes with mold but just fewer and further between than VHS.
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It's true! The 1999 cult horror film The Blair Witch Project was partially shot on a Hi8 camcorder (specifically, the Sony CCD-TRV68), alongside black-and-white 16mm film. The grainy, handheld Hi8 footage contributed to the movie’s eerie realism and “found footage” aesthetic.
Hands up if, a quarter of a century later, you still can’t take a walk in the woods without checking over your shoulder!
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Hi8 camcorders were part of the gear on several Space Shuttle flights in the 1990s. Their compact size, high resolution, and tough build quality made them ideal for use in space, where every inch of cargo and every gram of weight mattered.
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Unlike analog camcorders, Digital8 models included FireWire ports, allowing lossless transfers to a computer for editing or archiving. This helped preserve footage in digital quality, something you couldn’t do with analog Hi8 or Video8 without a capture device.
We capture all three formats this way to preserve every detail as best possible during your transfers.
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Our customers often ask us if we sell adapters to watch the 8mm video tapes on a VCR and unfortunately, unlike VHS-C tapes, which had simple mechanical adapters for playback in VHS decks, 8mm tapes require an 8mm camcorder or VCR to play.
No adapter exists due to differences in tape width, track format, and transport mechanisms.
The Decline of Video8, Hi8, and Digital8
Like everything else in the tech world, these formats eventually got replaced by something newer and shinier. Memory cards, DVDs, and camcorders with built-in hard drives started showing up, and suddenly dealing with tapes felt old-fashioned. By the mid-2000s, even Digital8 was getting pushed aside by MiniDV and then completely digital recording.
The reality is, all these tapes are getting old now. Doesn't matter if it's Video8, Hi8, Digital8, or any other magnetic tape - they all break down eventually. The colors start looking off, the sound gets wonky, sometimes they just stop playing altogether. If you've got a shoebox of old camcorder tapes somewhere in your house, you might want to think about getting them converted sooner rather than later.
Convert Your Video8, Hi8 & Digital8 Tapes Before They’re Gone
Over time, the magnetic tape inside Video8 and Hi8 tapes starts to break down, causing color fading, audio distortion, and playback issues. Digital8 tapes fare slightly better, but they, too, are at risk of data loss. If you don’t transfer your home videos soon, you could lose irreplaceable memories forever.
We specialize in Video8 to digital transfers, Hi8 to digital file conversions, and Digital8 tape transfers, helping families preserve their memories in modern digital format throughout Fairfield County and beyond. Including 8mm tape transfers in Bridgeport, Darien, Black Rock, Stamford, Norwalk, Milford, Westport, Southport, Shelton, New Haven and Greenwich.
