Monday, May 21, 2012

Sony GVD800 Video Walkman

Sony GVD800 Video Walkman

  • Edits up to 20 scenes without connecting to a personal computer
  • Backward-compatible with Hi8 and 8mm recordings
  • S-video and composite video inputs/outputs, plus iLink input/output and Super LaserLink wireless infrared output
  • Measures 5.87 x 2.62 x 5.38 inches (W x H x D); weighs 2 pounds, 1 ounce

Digital-8 Record and Play / Hi-8 and 8mm Playback / 4″ Color Screen / Stereo Speakers / IEEE1394 FireWire iLink / LaserlinkThe Sony GV-D800 makes digital video more portable than ever. This handy video walkman acts as a digital VCR, recording footage from TVs or camcorders onto Digital8 cassettes, while also letting users view digital video on the included 4-inch active matrix LCD screen. As an extra bonus, the device also lets users edit Digital8 video while on the move without requiring an expensive laptop computer. The editing function offers a simple way to assemble up to 20 scenes automatically, and then play them back with such features as frame-by-frame advance and slow motion. Editing is enhanced by the 2x playback and playback zoom, which allows the editor to zoom into a selected area of video for closer inspection.

The GV-D800 takes advantage of digital technology advances to ensure playback with up to 500 lines of resolution and three times the color bandwidth of VHS tapes. Digital video also offers significantly less video noise and deterioration. The GV-D800 is also backward-compatible with older Hi8 and 8mm recordings, letting users watch previously recorded material in either SP or LP modes. The device is no slouch from an audio perspective, either, with 16-bit recording capability that offers the same high-quality sound as a compact disc. In addition, it lets users transfer the recorded signal via iLink to a compatible digital video device so they can add narration or a music soundtrack without disturbing the original sound.

The GV-D800 offers several inputs and outputs for efficient component connection, including S-video and composite video inputs and outputs, an iLink (IEEE 1394) DV input and output, and a Super LaserLink wireless connection that transmits audio and video wirelessly via infrared to an optional LaserLink receiver at a distance of up to 26 feet. The LaserLink system reduces the need for long video cables or clumsy adapters. In addition, the device is compact and lightweight, measuring a mere 5.87 x 2.62 x 5.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighing a bit over 2 pounds.

What’s in the Box
Digital VCR, AC power adapter, power cord, AV converting cable, AV connecting cable, user’s manual.

List Price: $ 999.00

Price:

Related Sony GVD-800 Products

{ 0 comments }

8mm Video Players – Know Your Options Before You Buy

If you are out there looking for 8mm video players or trying to find credible information about them, you have finally arrived to the right place. On this site you will learn everything you need to know in order to make an educated decision when shopping for your 8mm video player.

First of all, you have to decide if you want a player that plays only 8mm and Hi8 tapes, or if you want a player that can also play Digital8 tapes. 8mm, Hi8 and Digital8 are all video recorded on 8 millimeter tape, but 8mm uses analog technology, Hi8 is also analog but compatible with digital tech, while Digital8 is digital only and is newer technology.

All 8mm video is good quality and durable, and has a higher resolution than VHS and even DVD. This means that with 8mm you get a better picture, more detail, sharper color and clean sound. This is especially true for the newest Digital8 form.

Option 1:
You get a video player to enjoy your 8mm and Hi8 only; thus, it cannot read Digital8 tapes. This is definitely the best option if you still use your 8mm or Hi8 camcorder and don´t plan on changing it anytime soon (which is really not necessary since the quality and resolution of 8mm and specially, Hi8 is still superb).

This is also the best option if you have a bunch of old 8mm/Hi8 tapes that you want to enjoy whenever, now and in the future, and don´t want to convert them to another format. It is also the best option if your new camcorder uses a different technology than 8mm (like MiniDV for example) so you don´t need any Digital8 technology. In this case, your best bet is to find a used 8mm player on e-bay, as retail stores don´t usually sell these older players anymore.

Option 2:
You purchase a Digital8 player, which can also play (and digitize!) your older 8mm and Hi8 tapes. This is the best option if you have already upgraded your old 8mm/Hi8 camcorder to Digital8 or if you are planning to do so. This is also the best option if you have a bunch of old 8mm/Hi8 tapes that you want to watch, edit, digitize (to Digital8) and/or convert to another format (like VHS or DVD).

In this case, e-bay is also a good place to shop, or you can look around in your local retail stores. If you are willing to spend the extra cash, we recommend the newest Digital8 portable player from Sony. This device will allow you to play, record, edit and digitize your 8mm and Hi8 tapes, and convert them to another format. Plus, since so many people have 8mm tapes but no way to watch them, this portable model is great for sharing with friends and family!

Bottom Line:
There are not many 8mm video players on the market. Sony is the prime 8mm producer today and actually, Digital8 is owned by them. If you need a player for the older Video8 tapes ONLY, your cheapest yet high quality option is the Sony EV-C3, EV-C40, or the EV-P10U VCR.

For 8mm and Hi8, the most popular buys are the Sony EV-C200 VCR, EV-S2000 and, EV-S5000 VCR. The advantage of these old classics is that they are actually made to be more resistant and simple to fix than newer technology, while they deliver outstanding sound and video. And since they have come to be replaced by newer technology, you can find great deals for these models on e-bay and even in garage sales!

For Digital8, your choices are basically limited to the Sony GVD-800 Digital 8 Video Walkman VCR and the Sony GV-D200 Digital8 Portable Recorder. Remember that all models will also play and digitize your 8mm and Hi8 tapes with highest quality, because digital8 also uses 8mm tapes, you won´t lose sound and image details when digitizing your beloved tapes.

Sony has also released the HDV Portable Video Recorder (Model GV-HD700/1) featuring a high-resolution 6.9” LCD, for incredible real life images and sounds. Unfortunately, it costs 1399 bucks. However, it is definitively worth every penny.

I’ve done my best to give you the information you need to make the right decision when buying 8mm video players. Everyone’s experience can be valuable here, so please leave your comments below if you have anything you want to add!

{ 0 comments }

How To Watch, Convert, Or Transfer 8mm Video Tapes

If you want to play your 8mm or Hi8 video tapes without the hassle of connecting the camcorder to the TV or if you no longer have the camcorder, your absolute best option is to buy an 8mm video player.

Many people think that you can watch 8mm video tapes on the VHS with a special adaptor casket. This is absolutely false, since 8mm and VHS are two different technologies that are not compatible. The good thing is that 8mm has better resolution than VHS, so even if you could watch your 8mm on VHS you wouldn’t want to do that! But you can´t, so you need an 8mm video player to watch your 8mm tapes.

Some people recommend that you convert your beloved 8mm or Hi8 tapes to VHS tapes or to DVD. Well, converting to VHS is not the best idea. The reason again, 8mm has better image resolution and sound quality than VHS. You will lose a substantial amount of picture and sound quality. On the other hand, converting to DVD will also cause some loss of original quality but the result will be much better than a VHS conversion. Most people choose convert their 8mm tapes to DVD these days.

For those of you who are 8mm video lovers and just want to play your old videos, the good news is that 8mm tapes are quite resistant and have a much longer shelf life than DVD’s. They can last longer than DVD’s which naturally and inevitably deteriorate. DVD’s typically have a shelf life of 2 to 5 years.

Bottom line: You best bet is to buy an 8mm video player to watch your 8mm tapes. You have many options in terms of price and models.

If you are on a budget, you can get a used one on e-bay. You can either buy older and cheaper models that read only 8mm and Hi8 tapes. Or you can get a newer player that can also read Digital8 (most useful if you now have upgraded to a Digital8 camcorder).

If you want to play your tapes AND convert them and you can spare $600, I recommend that you buy the newest Digital8 portable player/recorder/converter by Sony, the GV-D200. This device will not only allow you to enjoy your old 8mm and Hi8 videos, but you can also edit them or convert them to Digital8 (most recommended as you won´t lose much picture or sound quality since it is compatible technology), VHS or DVD. Plus, this lightweight player is a good traveling companion. Just take it with you to the next family gathering for best results!

If you don’t want to spend too much money and you just need a budget solution for transforming your valuable 8mm tapes to DVD or other format, you should know that you are not alone, and thanks to good demand, such a machine does indeed exist. It is the ION VCR 2 PC, and it is not expensive at all! This marvel allows you to transfer all your old 8mm tapes to your PC so you can then burn DVD´s and even send your videos to friends through email. But not so fast, this treasure equipment has a “but,” you must plug the camcorder to the ION VCR to allow the transfer. If you don´t have the camcorder, you can borrow one, or just buy a used one on Ebay.

In the case of VHS, you can also transfer your VHS tapes directly to the PC with the ION VCR 2 PC. Ultimately, it is a very useful machine that your friends and neighbors will want to get their hands on. So if you are running low on cash, you may consider charging others to convert their 8mm tapes; or just use it to convert all of your videos and then resell it on Ebay…  Although just recovering old memories should make this little investment well worth it on its own!

{ 0 comments }

8mm Video Formats – What You Can And Cannot Do

“8mm” refers to three related video formats: Video 8, Hi8 and Digital 8.

They are physically very similar, with cassettes measuring 95×62.5×15 mm, using the same 8mm wide magnetic tape to record, although the quality of the tape is best on the more modern Digital8.

Video 8 is an 8 millimeter analog tape format that was released in the 1980′s to replace the bigger 12mm Betamax, and to counter the competition who had introduced the smaller VHS-C camcorders. Much smaller in size, comfortable and light, the 8mm camcorders rapidly became very popular for home videos and among amateur camcorders. Additionally, the 8mm video format has a higher resolution and sound quality than VHS, so it was even preferred in the low budget film industry.

(By the way, 8mm technology is NOT compatible with VHS technology, so your VHS VCR will never play an 8mm tape. Even if the smaller VHS-C tape looks a similar size to the 8mm tape, they are not compatible, as they use different recording technologies!)

Later, Video 8 was upgraded to Hi8, with improved technology, and although analog, it was also compatible with uprising digital technology.

It´s latest and most modern successor is Digital8, which also records on an 8mm tape, but it is absolutely digital. In fact, D8 is a hybrid of the Video 8/Hi8 analog tape format and the Digital Video (DV) format. Digital 8 is high resolution which means you get great images, with superb definition and color, plus great sound quality. You will love this feature if you want to zoom in or convert your tapes to a different format like DVD (which is lower resolution) to give out to friends or colleagues. Digital 8 is compact, tough and durable.

The cassette shell is the same size as Video8 and Hi8, making this older versions compatible with the newer Digital8 camcorders and video players. This means that Digital8 recorders and players can play and digitize your old 8mm tapes (although the opposite is not possible since analog 8mm technology obviously can´t read modern digital technology).

One of the best options today is to acquire a Digital8 video player which gives you the additional advantage of digitizing all of your analog 8mm tapes. This allows you to transfer all of your old movies to your computer for editing or transfer to DVD. You can find used 8mm video players and sometimes new ones on Ebay.

Or you can purchase the new and portable Digital8 player at Sony. Although expensive, this lightweight and resistant device allows you to view your 8mm tapes on-the-go while visiting friends, relatives, or traveling. You can convert all your old tapes with it and you could even make a little cash on the side by converting tapes for a fee.

{ 0 comments }