Where Is The 8mm/VHS Adapter?
Monday March 22, 2004
With Spring in full swing and Summer approaching quickly, many are now breaking out their old camcorders or purchasing new ones to get ready for all the upcoming family events. As a result, many have emailed me recently with the single most-asked question I receive during this time of year: "Where can I get an adapter to play my 8mm/HI8 or miniDV tapes in a VCR?" The answer is....
Comments
where can I buy a hi 8mm to vhs adapter in new zealand if posable
As explained thoroughly in my article, there is no 8mm/VHS adapter, nor has there ever been one.
For the reasons why no such device exists, read my article on this topic:
Where is the 8mm/VHS Adapter? (3 pages)
http://hometheater.about.com/cs/vcrs/a/aa8mmtovhsa.htm
Let me know if this clarifies this issue for you.
Robert Silva
Guide to Home Theater
http://hometheater.about.com
Become an About.com Guide: http://beaguide.about.com
About.com is part of the New York Times Company
The adaptor does exist and I have one. It’s called a VHS-C ADAPTOR….You can buy one at Kmart and a few other places..Hope this helps you out. But there are plenty of them still for sale.. Mike
If you read my article “Where is the 8mm/VHS Adapter” in detail in the section
subtitled: “The VHS-C Factor” (on page 1) you would have noticed that I
discussed VHS-C adapters and that they are for playing VHS-C tapes in a
VCR – they cannot be used to play 8mm tapes in a VHS VCR.
There is no way (nor has there every been a way) to play an 8mm tape in a
VHS VCR.
Let me know if this clarifies this issue for you.
Robert Silva
Guide to Home Theater
http://hometheater.about.com
Become an About.com Guide: http://beaguide.about.com
About.com is part of the New York Times Company
I had use of an adapter for 8mm to VHS player. It was NOT an adapter for vhs-c; I have one of THOSE in my desk drawer, so I have seen the difference. The person that I had borrowed the vhs-8mm adapter from later loaned it to someone else where it was broken. These adapters really do exist, I used it successfully! Am really tired of basically being told that I am hallucinating, that these adapters are all vhs-c; I had one of the “non-existant” adapters and by God I will find another one somewhere!
As explained thoroughly in my article, there is no 8mm/VHS adapter, nor has there ever been one.
For the reasons why no such device exists, read my article on this topic:
Where is the 8mm/VHS Adapter? (3 pages)
http://hometheater.about.com/cs/vcrs/a/aa8mmtovhsa.htm
My continuing challenge to anyone is to provide actual physical evidence of the exsistence of an 8mm/VHS adapter. Even if it is broken, I can still tell if it would have worked.
So far, despite claims by some, no one has ever come forward with an actual device that can be looked at, touched, or used to play an 8mm tape in a VHS VCR. This goes all the back to the late 1980’s, when 8mm/Hi8 were introduced.
Once again, thank you very much for your comments.
Let me know if this clarifies this issue for you.
Robert Silva
Guide to Home Theater
http://hometheater.about.com
Become an About.com Guide: http://beaguide.about.com
About.com is part of the New York Times Company
any suggestions about a very cheap way to transfer my 8mm to a dvd without using a computer or connecting the camcorder to the dvd recorder?
please reply asap. have a project on hold
Nope – The only way to do it are the two options you list (and they are
also the least expensive) – the only other option is to take your 8mm tape
to a professional duplicator or editor – but that would be more expensive.
Regardless of any method you use – you will still have to connect an 8mm
camcorder to either a DVD recorder or Computer to transfer it to DVD.
Let me know if this info helps or if you need further clarification.
Robert Silva
I have seen one of these adapters with my own eyes, so there do exist period! The one my brother received 15 years ago was lost, but I will find another one. Trust me, they are around it you are determined enough to seek them out.
there is a vhs tape that you can put a 8mm in an play it in the vcr because my mom an sister both have one. we just got it out last summer to watch one.
Reponse from Robert Silva:
Thank you for your comments on this issue – as stated in my article, with supporting technical evidence, there is no device that allows that playback of an 8mm, Hi8, or miniDV tape in a standard VHS VCR.
As further stated in my article: …”it can be verifiably concluded that it is both mechanically and electronically impossible for a VHS (or S-VHS) VCR to play or read the information recorded on an 8mm/Hi8, or miniDV tape. Any claims to the contrary are erroneous, and must be required to be accompanied by a physical demonstration to be considered legitimate. Anyone offering such a device for sale is either mistakingly identifying a VHS-C/VHS adapter for an 8mm/VHS adapter, or they are outright scamming the consumer.”
As an added point, there are no manufacturers that make such a product. Also, Sony and Canon, as the patent holders for 8mm/Hi would have to license the manufacture of such a product and they have not done so. If such a product did exist, the engineers at Sony would be very interested…
Once again, I appreciate your comments on this issue.
oh an meijer carries it. they carry both the 8mm vhs an the vhs-c. i was just there on july 3 2009. of course they were out of the vhs but they do stock them.
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Response from Robert Silva – About.com Home Theater Guide:
Just as an additional followup to your comments regarding 8mm/VHS adapters – I sent an inquiry into Meijer and according to their own inventory search, they do not carry such a product.
If you do think you have seen such a product at Meijer or other store, if you send me either a photo of the product in its original packaging showing the brand, or the actual item out of the package next to the package with the side to side up that shows the official VHS 8mm./Hi8 logos, and the flip up well door where the 8mm/Hi8 tape is inserted along with a photo of the 8mm/Hi8 tape you are using with the adapter…
OR
…just send me the brand and model model number of such a product so I can verify if it is indeed a real product from a real manufacturer or distributor.
So far, no one has been able to present me with physical evidence of such a product.
Thank you for your comments on this issue – as stated in my article, with supporting technical evidence, there is no device that allows that playback of an 8mm, Hi8, or miniDV tape in a standard VHS VCR.
As further stated in my article: …”it can be verifiably concluded that it is both mechanically and electronically impossible for a VHS (or S-VHS) VCR to play or read the information recorded on an 8mm/Hi8, or miniDV tape. Any claims to the contrary are erroneous, and must be required to be accompanied by a physical demonstration to be considered legitimate. Anyone offering such a device for sale is either mistakingly identifying a VHS-C/VHS adapter for an 8mm/VHS adapter, or they are outright scamming the consumer.”
As an added point, there are no manufacturers that make such a product. Also, Sony and Canon, as the patent holders for 8mm/Hi would have to license the manufacture of such a product and they have not done so. If such a product did exist, the engineers at Sony would be very interested…
Once again, I appreciate your comments on this issue.
Robert Silva
hometheater.guide@about.com
http://hometheater.about.com
About.com is a part of the New York Times Company
Thank you for your comments on this issue – as stated in my article, withsupporting technical evidence, there is no device that allows that playback of an 8mm, Hi8, or miniDV tape in a standard VHS VCR.
As further stated in my article: …”it can be verifiably concluded that it is both mechanically and electronically impossible for a VHS (or S-VHS) VCR to play or read the information recorded on an 8mm/Hi8, or miniDV
tape. Any claims to the contrary are erroneous, and must be required to be
accompanied by a physical demonstration to be considered legitimate.
Anyone offering such a device for sale is either mistakingly identifying a
VHS-C/VHS adapter for an 8mm/VHS adapter, or they are outright scamming
the consumer.”
As an added point, there are no manufacturers that make such a product.
Also, Sony and Canon, as the patent holders for 8mm/Hi would have to
license the manufacture of such a product and they have not done so. If
such a product did exist, the engineers at Sony would be very
interested…
Once again, I appreciate your comments on this issue.
Robert Silva
hometheater.guide@about.com
http://hometheater.about.com
About.com is a part of the New York Times Company
WOW!!! This so called expert is psycho..I bought a Sony Video hi8 in 04. And I also bought the VHS adapter that the 8mm slides into and it always worked in my VCR…This guy must have never bought the products and has no right swearing he knows what he obviously knows nothing about..THEY DO WORK!!!
If you are refering to a device that allows you to insert a Hi8 or 8mm tape
into an adapter and then place that adapter into a standard VHS VCR video
tape slot, such a product does not exist and has never existed for specific
technical reasons outlined in my article on this topic:
Where Is The 8mm/VHS Adapter?
http://hometheater.about.com/cs/vcrs/a/aa8mmtovhsa.htm
http://hometheater.about.com/cs/vcrs/a/aa8mmtovhsa_2.htm
In addition, having been a professional in both the video production,
editing, and retail end of camcorder technology since 8mm and Hi8 was
introduced — I stand by all the statements made in the above article and I contrary to your comments, I have purchased, owned, used, and sold VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, miniDV, and HDV camcorders and still currently own several Hi, miniDV, and two HDV camcorder. I know precisely what I am talking about regarding this issue.
For additional historical perspective – Sony, GoVideo, and Goldstar (now LG) once made some 8mm/VHS
combo VCRs — these units had an 8mm tape slot on one side and a VHS slot on
the other — however, the 8mm tape at no time was able to be inserted into
the VHS tape slot.
Also, although Sony does not make VHS-C camcorders, they do make VHS-C tape for VHS-C camcorders made by Panasonic, JVC, RCA, and others – check your tapes for the VHS-C logo — these tapes do have an adapter available for playback in a standard VHS VCR, as they are based on VHS technology.
Here are some official responses from Sony and Canon (the two main 8mm/Hi8 technology developers) on the topic of 8mm/Hi8 tape compatibility with VHS
VCRs:
Submitted Question to both Sony and Can – “I have a question for your
technical department. Is there now or has there ever been an adapter that
looks like a VHS tape cassette available that allows you place an 8mm video
tape into it and then insert it into a standard VHS VCR — thus enabling you
to view your 8mm video tapes on your TV by playing them in your VCR instead
of having to connect your camcorder to the TV or VCR? Thank you for any info
on this question.”
—————
OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM SONY:
Subj: Camcorder: Analog [Incident: 040618-001403]
Date: 6/19/04 8:57:21 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From: sonystyle@custhelp.com (Sony Style Customer Care)
Reply-to: support@sonystyle.com (Sony Style Customer Care)
To: rsilvago@aol.com
Recently you submitted a question to Sony Style. Our response can be
found at the bottom of this message. We hope that this answers your
question to your satisfaction.
Subject
—————————————————————
Camcorder: Analog
Discussion Thread
—————————————————————
Response (Kurt) – 06/19/2004 07:57 AM
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry regarding the VCRs.
“I am afraid there is no adapter that enables you to play a 8mm tape in a
standard VCR. The best way to play a 8mm tape is to opt for Sony’s Hi8
Camcorders.”
If you need further assistance, please visit http://sonystyle.custhelp.com
————————–
OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM CANON:
From: ProductInformation productinformation@cits.canon.com
Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2004 08:07:58 -0400
To: rsilvago@aol.com
Subject: Re: Canon eCare Acknowledgement (KMM3126987V83658L0KM)
You are receiving this e-mail because you provided your e-mail address
to Canon. Due to changes that some ISPs have recently enacted to
curtail unwanted e-mail, we want to ensure proper delivery of our next
e-mail to your in-box. Therefore, please add carecenter@cits.canon.com
to your address list.
“Dear Mr. Silva,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, no VHS adapters have ever been made for 8mm. This is due to
the size difference of the actual tape. A VCR would not be able to play an
8mm tape because it is smaller than the tape in a VHS cassette.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions or
concerns.
Thank you for choosing Canon.”
Sincerely,
Chris
Product Support Representative
—————————————–
In conclusion, if you do have access to an actual operating Hi8/VHS or
8mm/VHS adapter as you have indicated, I would like to know the brand and model number of such a unit.
Also, I would like to see an actual closeup photo of this unit — which would show the official, copyrighted 8mm or Hi8 logo on the adapter as well as the VHS logo, an actual photo of the adapter space where the HI8 tape is inserted, and also a closeup photo of the actual Hi8 tape used in the adapter (which the Hi8 logo shown), and a photo the Hi8 tape resting within the adapter well (with the adapter both open and close),
the last photo I would need would be close up of the front door of the VHS
adapter lifted up to show the Hi8 tape threaded across the pull out part of
the VHS adapter. The reason for this request is not to discredit your claim,
however, the existense of such a unit not only would be of interest to me,
but also to the engineers at Sony, since they have never designed or
manufactured such a unit.
So far no one met any of my challenges to present and/or demonstrate an 8mm/VHS adapter and I have never seen such a unit used in any setting, whether non-professional or professional.
Once again, thank you very much for your comments.
Robert Silva
hometheater.guide@about.com
I have an EasyCap that is like 2 bucks and cheaply transfers hi8 or 8mm to digital. The software is ULead and is terrible but it works.