Question about Video Taping for Pool

Dan White

Dan White

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey, I've got a question for anyone versed in video technology. I was thinking about taping some of my 14.1 play and posting online, but my camcorder is an older Canon Hi-8 format. It was an expensive camera and the video quality is excellent. I asked a local video expert what I could do, and he said to get a "media box" that would convert my Hi-8 into digital, which could then be loaded onto the computer through a firewire (a USB, I guess?).

Anyway, I don't know how much quality degredation there will be, or how large the file would be if I maintained close to original quality. Does anybody have any experience with this? I just thought since I already had this camera it would be a lot cheaper to buy a media box instead of a new digital camera.

Thanks!
 
I m absolutley not a video-expert. I m using a 150 Euro Sony Video Cam. And the quality is really good. There is no need to spend tons of dollars to capture your runs :-)
And you don t have the problem to convert it via this *media box*.

lg from overseas,

ingo
 
Dan White said:
Hey, I've got a question for anyone versed in video technology. I was thinking about taping some of my 14.1 play and posting online, but my camcorder is an older Canon Hi-8 format. It was an expensive camera and the video quality is excellent. I asked a local video expert what I could do, and he said to get a "media box" that would convert my Hi-8 into digital, which could then be loaded onto the computer through a firewire (a USB, I guess?).

Anyway, I don't know how much quality degredation there will be, or how large the file would be if I maintained close to original quality. Does anybody have any experience with this? I just thought since I already had this camera it would be a lot cheaper to buy a media box instead of a new digital camera.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Hey, Dan, long time no talk. (Several 100s, but none back-to-back, damnit.)

I am no where near a media nerd but my low-tech solution was a Flip HD video camera and a $5 tripod off Amazon. It works great for pool, though it can't record over two hours at a whack. I took the camera to Florida last year and recorded a friend's wedding -- with the accompanying software I was able to give them a HD DVD of their wedding that looked like it was professionally produced. I'm sure there are better solutions, but none easier or cheaper.

Lou Figueroa
 
Am with Lou on this... I love my Flip since it was cheap and easy to transport to whatever pool room I wonder off to. Some one picks it up I'm only out 150.... Have been very pleased at the results I have gotten even in low light pool rooms. Not sure how much a media box is but if the price is close the Flip might be the better idea....
 
You're much better off getting a $100 digital camera like the Flip or one from Aiptek. They will do 720p/1080p video and easy to move to the computer. I have one like this (http://www.amazon.com/Aiptek-1080P-...PTMI/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1296438045&sr=8-6) which costs $100 and it has a threaded hole on the base to put on a tripod. You will get MUCH better video quality vs sending the signal over a composite video interface to a converter on the computer. And you'll probably spend close to the same amount of money on the new camera than you would on a decent quality converter.

Brian
 
Thanks for all the replies - lots of good suggestions. I think I'm going to try the converter that the first responder (Dave) suggested. It is less than $10 and will convert the Hi 8 into digital. Amazing. I have other videos I'd like to transfer anyway, so it'll be a good opportunity to try it for almost nothing. If I don't like the quality, then I can try getting one of the digital cameras.

Thanks again!

Dan
 
I know nothing about video recorders. Can the Flip or Insignia be used to stream videos?

Also, on these cameras the zoom is somewhat limited. Is a zoom needed when shooting pool matches?

Thanks. This thread caught my interest because I didn't realize I could get an HD video camera so cheap.
 
The only thing I might be concerned about the media box is the time it would take on converting Hi8 to digital files. My first guess is that you might be forced to convert the Hi8 in real time. Meaning, the length of the conversion process would be the length of the video.

I wouldn't worry about losing quality in the process. I'm sure video containers can achieve much higher resolutions than what Hi8 can output. In fact, I'd be more inclined to worry about the natural degradation of the tape than any issues of converting.

On the other hand, getting a new video cam might be the way to go.

With the advantages being

- Video is already in digital format, so you can manipulate it in a vast variety of ways. Make DVDs, upload to Youtube, splice clips together, the possibilites are endless.

- HD cams are cheap, I got my for 160 bucks. It's FULL HD (1920x1080). But I use mine in mostly 1280x720.


I would see no reason why not to get one. But also, I spend a lot of time on the computer and am fairly versed in video editing. I'm using a gaming class computer so my specs make video pretty easy to deal with. I don't know how well HD video editing would go on a baseline computer. Either way, if you got the time and money, I see no reason why not to get a HD cam.

For my HD Cam here's what I got for 250 dollars.

A Kodiak Playsport
2 8-GIG SD Cards. (Which makes for about 3 total hours of video)
3 after market batteries
1 carrying case
1 tripod

And if you add video editing software (Sony Vegas Movie Studio), it brings it up for 300. To me, it's been totally worth it.

BTW, if you do get one, make sure you check out Amazon.com for batteries. I got 3 batteries for 18 bucks. Great prices there.
 
Baby PacMan said:
The only thing I might be concerned about the media box is the time it would take on converting Hi8 to digital files. My first guess is that you might be forced to convert the Hi8 in real time. Meaning, the length of the conversion process would be the length of the video.
Click to expand...

I was told that I had to play back the Hi8 tape in the camcorder, with the output going through the media box and into the computer. So, yes, it would take 2 hours to transfer a 2 hour tape. I'm guessing it wouldn't work as well in fast-forward, but the time doesn't really matter to me. I don't plan on posting something every day or even every week.

I think part of the reason I want to use the converter is that I still have this Hi8 camera that I want to get more use out of! It's still like new. I know that's probably a dumb reason, but I have to be honest. If I can try a $10 solution that will transfer my existing videos anyway, I have to start there.

If I'm really lucky, my Hi8 will break down and I'll have to get a digital cam! :rolleyes:

Dan
 
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