D8 vs Hi8
Mood:  d'oh
Topic: spiritual quest
Ever needed to know what is the deal with Sony's Digital8 cameras? well the main thing that people THINK is the right info is wrong. i know this cuz i read the directions 5 times.

SOME DIGITAL 8 or D8 cameras will NOT play any Hi8 or reg8 tapes, u can only use them to tape on!!! the people at camera stores BELIEVE that ALL are the same, and they will play all the past formats. not the case. so beware.

The TRV 280 model, Will NOT play already recorded hi8 or regular8 tapes, it WILL only play D8's that have been recorded on it.

TRV280 has i.Link, USB outputs. no inputs. one a/v output to vcr or tv, but u have to match your vcr to a code on the camera. and the eject tape mechanism is clunky and weird. the batteries are way better than most, $50 for a 4.5 hr. and the one that comes in the box lasts 90min.

now that i have the D8 i must decide whether to keep it or not. maybe go online and get a hi8 for $240. i really like the edit features on the TRV 280, i can do a lot of cool stuff. TRV280 is hard to hold as it is slick surface, and blocky gave me a hand cramp (shooting with it for 12min)

i'll just have to wait for the GL3 to come out.