Convert and import Hi-8 video into Premier Elements

[englesjw64]

What do I need and how do I convert Hi-8 so that I can import into Premier Elements 13?

James Engles

[Steve Grisetti]

That's a pretty old format, so there's no direct way to do it (as there used to be, if you have a backwards compatible Sony Digital 8 camcorder that played Hi8 tapes).

A simple digitizer may be the easiest way to convert the tape. It should save your video to a format that Premiere Elements 13 can work with.

Here's one:

https://www.amazon.com/TOTMC-Capture-Adapter-Windows-Window/dp/B00M7T8T1E/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=150...

[englesjw64]

Steve, I failed to mention I am using Premiere Elements on Windows 10. The product you suggested does not work on Windows 10 according to its description. Any other suggestions?

[Steve Grisetti · Accepted solution]

Although the description doesn't specify, the device works on Windows 8 so I've little doubt it works on Windows 10 also.

But just to be safe, you could go with this one.

Amazon.com: Top-Longer USB 2.0 Video Grabber with Audio for Mac OS X and Windows - VHS to DVD Conver...

[englesjw64]

Thanks, Steve

[Ann Bens]

IMO this video grabber is a waist of money.

Chances are you get out of sync footage.

Get yourself an second hand xp computer with firewire and a second hand D8 camcorder (capable to play Hi8 as not all models can)

Capture and transfer to new computer.

[Steve Grisetti]

While Ann's suggestion is certainly ideal -- IF you can get your hands on a Digital8 camcorder and a computer with a FireWire connection -- I still stand by my original suggestion.

This device will capture MPEGs which can be edited in Premiere Elements.

[Ann Bens]

You dont want mpeg, too compressed. You want dv avi.

[Steve Grisetti]

I agree with you, Ann. Your point is well taken. That's the ideal format for this type of video. But devices that capture DV-AVI are no longer being made. And current versions of Premiere Elements edit MPEGs just fine.

[Ann Bens]

That is why i said get a second hand xp machine with firewire. D8 camera's are still around on ebay. Problem solved.

Its not the editing of mpeg, its the compression, its visual lossless which dv-avi is not. You dont want to lose picture quality in Hi8 footage.

Getting such a device with a very high chance of getting out of sync footage. Try and get that corrected....