best way to convert old videos to mac?

So, I'm going to do it, I think. I am going to take my old tapes download, edit and burn them to dvds.

I have 8 mm video tapes (x6) and 25 mini DVs.(But no working cameras- the new one has a flash drive),and a new imac 3.06.

My initial thought are to Let a professional service convert the 8 mms to something (dvd or a flash-drive?) What format should it be in? anything I need to look for/tell them?

For the Mini DV I think it will be cheaper to just buy a cheap new camcorder, then down load to the computer. Is firewire the best way to do it? and how many pins do the new Imacs have (All I can find out is it is a firewire 800), I think I read somewhere that it is 9, but would love verification before I buy one. Which brings but the camera part, I suppose it would be fastest if the camera had the same. do they even make cheap Mini DV cameras with 800 fire-wires?

sorry for these lame basic questions, but thanks for the help.

Mavimao said:

As far as the 8mm tapes are concerned, you need to transfer them from analog to digital. You can play them with an 8mm or Hi8 camcorder and run it through a convertor like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Canopus-77010...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254763485&sr=1-3

Or you can send them off to some company to do it for you. Whichever you want. Just be sure to check the prices.

With the MiniDV tapes you just need a camcorder that has Firewire. Firewire 800 is compatible with Firewire400 (which is the kind found on camcorders), you just need to find a cable like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002JFOWI...e=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B0002JFOWI

Hope this helps!

Click to expand...

If I got the Canopus, I'd still need a camera to play it on, right? I'll have to check the prices, but for only 6 tapes, it may be cheaper to have someone do it for me.
If I let some one do it for me, will it matter if the burn it to a DVD or just put it on a flash drive if I'm just going to down load it so I can edit it myself?

I will be sure to look for the pass through in the mini DV camcorder.