Need solution for watching/uploading old Hi8 tapes

My Hi8 camcorder dies last year, after having created a number of
family/home videos over the years.
Many hadn't been uploaded to VHS or other media.

I purchased a new DV-camcorder, rather than going for a Digital8 one, as I
wanted something smaller.
I really now want to look at these Hi8 tapes, and preferably upload them to
DVD (I have a writer).

Ideally I'd like a cheap digital solution, though guess I could go an analog
route.

I don't want to buy a new camcorder just for the sake of this, and although
I see some cheap Hi8 ones around, or even Digital8, I understand most of the
latter now no longer simply convert Hi8 analag to digital output. My local
Sony store said it was only the high-end of the range that does, or last
years models (TRV238,240, 340).

I've been watching eBay, but have not yet seen anything cheap.

As I probably have 30 or so tapes that need uploading, professional services
would be too expensive .
Has anyone got any suggestions, please?

 

First one, find someone who has a D8 camcorder which plays Hi8 --
all but the low end of Sony's line do -- and borrow it. Cheapest
method, easiest since you can use firewire to dub to DV with the least
loss. Current 250 model doesn't, the 350 does (and that is Sony's
highest model this year; older used ones are a better bet on cost and
features, if you must buy a new one).

Second, borrow a Hi8, assuming that your DV camcorder has analog in.
In the USA that is common, in Europe it is often disabled for tax
reasons. Then feed the Hi8 out to DV camcorder in, and you can dub to
DV or digitize via firewire.

Buying used is the next alternative. But on eBay, you may not see a
lot of D8 camcorders up, because they are new and people are still
using them. Also, since Sony has dropped the line down, there are no
D8 replacements in the pipeline -- I can't go and buy a new equivalent
to my 740, because Sony no longer makes one; I'd have to switch to
MiniDV in order to get comparable camera quality.

 

Hi Neil
Apart from a secondhand camera or vcr there is no cheap
answer,i don't know what you would call expensive for professional
services but here in the UK i do quite a lot of this type of work.If
in the UK try Yellow Pages for a video services company and get a
quote,failing that e-mail and i will be pleased to give you a quote
Regards
Charles