Sony Walkman Digital8 GVD200

Pros: Compact, high quality and useful DV component.

Cons: Somewhat expensive. You can get by using an old camcorder for playback.

Review: I've owned this unit for about a year now. It is a component of a digital editing suite. It captures all 3 types of 8mm video cassettes. IMHO, if you are a serious video editor (for clients) this is an essential tool. I've captured all 3 formats, ...

Pros: Very flexible, lots of uses, portable, outputs all formats to firewire devices

Cons: expensive

Review: This unit is very nice. it reads all of the 8mm cassettes. it readily hooks up to a computer via firewire to digitally record 8mm, Hi-8, and Digital8. With a unit like this, you dont need a analog capture card or some sort of external Analog-Digital ...

Pros: Small, easy to use, great quality

Cons: Expensive to buy, complicated to repair

The Bottom Line: If you need a standalone player for transferring or enjoyment then it is hard to go wrong with this unit as long as you can afford it.

Review: First let me state that I work at a company that converts many media types to DVD/CD/VHS so I have had experience with dozens of these units(NTSC and PAL). The GV-D200 is the best unit we have for playing back Digital 8mm and Hi8 tapes. The quality ...

Pros: Portable. Plays standard 8mm tapes. DV -> Analog or Analog -> DV conversion.

Cons: Expensive. No display. Unknown tape transport reliability.

The Bottom Line: If you're willing to spend the money, a good companion for your digital video editing PC.

Review: Now that I'm getting into digital video, I wanted to be able to save digital 8 tapes onto my PC for editing without adding wear and tear on my camcorder's fragile looking tape transport, then be able to transfer the edited video to VHS or digital 8. I...