Does the Sony DCR-TRV260 allow for playback of old 8mm and hi8 tapes?

Answer 1

No, not if the old tapes are in analog rather than digital format. See the review of this DCC at http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Quick-Review-Camcorder-Sony-DCR-TRV280.htm: "How ... am I going to watch those [old analog] tapes?... Not here, you re not. The DCR-TRV280 does not read analog 8mm. For that, you need to step up to the DCR-TRV480." Also see review at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-TRV280-Camcorder-Review.htm These reviews were somewhat disparaging, however Consumer Reports, in their 2007 Buying Guide, called this unit a Best Buy (p. 233). It seems to me to be the cheapest way to get into digital video with a reasonably high quality and versatile camera. No, not if the old tapes are in analog rather than digital format. See the review of this DCC at http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Quick-Review-Camcorder-Sony-DCR-TRV280.htm: "How ... am I going to watch those [old analog] tapes?... Not here, you re not. The DCR-TRV280 does not read analog 8mm. For that, you need to step up to the DCR-TRV480." Also see review at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-TRV280-Camcorder-Review.htm These reviews were somewhat disparaging, however Consumer Reports, in their 2007 Buying Guide, called this unit a Best Buy (p. 233). It seems to me to be the cheapest way to get into digital video with a reasonably high quality and versatile camera. No, not if the old tapes are in analog rather than digital format. See the review of this DCC at http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Quick-Review-Camcorder-Sony-DCR-TRV280.htm: "How ... am I going to watch those [old analog] tapes?... Not here, you re not. The DCR-TRV280 does not read analog 8mm. For that, you need to step up to the DCR-TRV480." Also see review at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-TRV280-Camcorder-Review.htm These reviews were somewhat disparaging, however Consumer Reports, in their 2007 Buying Guide, called this unit a Best Buy (p. 233). It seems to me to be the cheapest way to get into digital video with a reasonably high quality and versatile camera.

Answer 2

No, the trv260 does not play back old 8mm and hi8 tapes. The original manual states that you can record on these tapes, but that you cannot playback Hi8 tapes that were previously recorded. And if it cant playback hi8 it cannot playback the earlier 8mm.