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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
2.0 stars
"DOES NOT PLAY ANALOG 8MM TAPES - DON'T FALL FOR FALSE ADVERTISING"
Pros: Lots of features for price
Cons: DOES NOT PLAY ANALOG 8MM TAPES
Summary: DOES NOT PLAY ANALOG 8MM TAPES. DON'T FALL FOR THE SAME SCAM I DID. This was the main reason I bought it, having a bunch of old family Video8 tapes and having been told by several sources that it would play them There is some false advertising going on, for sure. I had expected better from Sony.
I would have gotten something different, like a DVD cam, if I had known that this was what I would end up with.
Fortunately, my 1985-vintage Handycam still works. Maybe I can work with that and the VCR or a new DVD recorder to process the old tapes. I guess now I'm stuck.
- 7 replies to this review
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@dscottkerr and others - actually you're quite wrong, many Digital 8 camcorders *will* play back older analogue tapes. Digital 8 uses the same cassette and largely the same mechanics as the older Video 8 and Hi8 formats, so the majority of Sony Digital 8 units also have the ability to play back analogue, which is a very useful extra for people upgrading from older analogue equipment, and a big selling point of the Digital 8 format. Unfortunately, Sony haven't been consistent with this feature, and to cut costs it hasn't been included in some more recent models, such as this one.
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When you get into the market for a camera, one would think that you'd hit Cnet BEFORE purchasing, right?
It's like trying to shove a BETA tape into a VHS player....it just won't work.
I trust you have video editing software and your old camera? Good luck. -
I bought the Sony trv250 solely for copying my old 8mm - some worked -those after 2001-but I could not figure out why all my tapes were 'blank' and it was not in documentation.Salesperson assured me it was backwards compatible. That's why I got on line and in a way I'm relieved to know that I CAN get an upgraded digital that will do what I need - but what a waste! I have a DV camera so I really only need it for transfers!
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Being able to play my old analog tapes is a prime consideration for me too. Than ks for the info.
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Thanks for the heads up, I need to update my camcorder and backwords compatability is a must. Most reviews do not inform you of which camcorders will play your 8mm or HI8 tapes
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Of course a digital camcorder won't play analog tapes. That's like buying a cd player and expecting it to play 45's. apples, and oranges.
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The unit is also somewhat backward compatible, so users can continue to enjoy old home recordings stored on analog Hi8 tapes (but not 8mm).
Where to buy
Sony Handycam DCR-TRV280:
$899.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$899.99 | Yes |
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