8mm to VHS Cassette Adapter
Does such a thing exist? Short answer – NO
VHS and 8mm video formats are vastly different and are not compatible with each other. VHS is half inch tape while Hi8 / video 8 is 8mm wide. The recording formats also differ hugely in terms of the way the information is recorded onto the tape. The 2 formats were launched to compete with one another in the domestic camcorder market.
VHS Compact
VHS has a smaller cousin – VHS C (Compact). VHS C or Compact was introduced to compete against 8mm / Hi8 in the consumer camera market.
VHS C had one advantage over 8mm video formats in that one could use a VHS cassette adaptor. The VHS C cassette adaptor would allow the smaller or compact cassette to be played in a normal VHS VCR. Only VHS C tapes fit into the adaptor.
There is no adaptor to allow an 8mm tape to fit into a VHS machine.
Apart from the obvious differences in physical appearance and size, other factors such as tape / video head speed ratio, FM vs longitudinal audio recording and synch signal recording, make the formats technically incompatible.
I would argue that 8mm / Hi8 was a better format, image and audio quality was superior to the VHS C format.
Pros and Cons
VHS C
- 1/2 inch tape
- 45 or 60 minute tapes
- Can be played in a VHS VCR with a cassette adaptor
- Poor image quality – when compared to Video 8
- Poor audio recording – when compared to Video 8
- Larger mechanism
8/Hi8
- 8mm tape
- 30, 60, 90 and 120 minute tapes
- Cannot be played in a VHS VCR
- Playback via the camera or dedicated 8mm VCR
- Superior image recording – when compared to VHS C
- Better audio recording – when compared to VHS C
- Smaller mechanism
So how do you get your 8mm tapes converted? You will need an 8mm player of some description. Sony launched 3 different formats in the 8mm range. 8mm, Hi8 and Digital 8. A Video 8 player / camcorder will only play 8mm tapes, a Hi8 player / camcorder will play Hi8 and 8mm video. A Digital 8 player will play all three formats (generally speaking, there may be some model variations that this does not apply to).
Convert 8mm video to digital files
DVD Conversions are specialists in tape and media transfer, having been in the professional video market for 30 years. We have all the equipment to playback all the popular video formats.
Damaged tapes
8mm video tapes are very susceptible to moisture and mould damage. DVD Conversions offer a tape repair and cleaning service for tapes we are converting.
Call us today to discuss your tape transfers. We can convert 8mm, Hi8 and Digital 8 tapes to DVD or digital files. Click on the links to be directed to the relevant page.