I have many old home movies on 8mm cassettes, the problem is that I
don't have a working 8mm camcorder or any other means to view these
tapes. Do I have any other options to view these tapes? Is there any
hardware I can buy? If not, is there a way to transfer these movies to
a different medium? I have tried the digital 8 camcorder--which
records on the same tapes--but will not play old analog data on these
tapes.

Thanks,
Amanda

Greetings!

I, too, have a lot of 8mm analog camcorder tapes, as well as some
newer 8mm digital tapes.

One new device on the market currently that will play 8mm analog tapes
is the Sony DCR-TRV460 camcorder.  It has an MSRP of $350, with sale
prices in the $320 range at Best Buy, etc.  The specification sheet
specifially mentions 8mm analog playback.

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/documents/specifications/DCRTRV460_final.pdf

Additionally, it will play the 8mm analog tapes back in digital format
over the IEEE 1394 FireWire port, so you can easily capture them to
your computer for conversion to DVD.

You can also buy new Sony Hi-8 camcorders that will play back 8mm
tapes, such as the TRV128 and TRV328.  They range in price from $250
to $300

The other alternative is to buy a used 8mm analog camcorder or 8mm
playback deck.  Both are found on eBay and other used equipiment
sites.  However, for the low cost of the new product, I would buy new.

If you require further information, please ask for a clarification
before rating this answer.

Search Strategy:

Sony camcorder
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=sony++camcorder&btnG=Search


Further Links:

Sony Analog Camcorders
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat15196&type=category&parentCatID=cat15063&_requestid=150186

Sony Digital Camcorders
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat15195&type=category&parentCatID=cat15063&_requestid=150563

http://www.epinions.com/elec-Video-Camcorders-All-Analog_1-8mm
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=8mm+analog&btnG=Search+Froogle

Or see your local phone book for a "Video Transfer Service"

This is a free comment.

Your question suggests that new technology is not always our friend. I
have a machine that will still play 8 track, but 100 each 7 inch reels
of quarter inch magnetic tape in two different, semi incompatable
formats, almost as many 3.5 inch flppy disks. Fortunately these have
little value, so I won't spend hundreds of dollars putting them on a
different medium that will likely be totaly obsolete in 2012, if not
sooner.   Neil

I prepared this as an answer to your question, but because I have not
found a reputable seller who carries the item, I'll post it here as a
comment instead:
---------------

The hardware you need to buy is a Sony DCR-TRV350 camcorder.

"One of the major upgraded features of the DCR-TRV350 over the
DCR-TRV250 is the ability to playback analog Hi8 and 8mm tapes. It's
good if you are transitioning from an old Hi8 or 8mm camcorder to a
digital solution. The digital play back will also alow you to convert
those tapes to a digital signal for transfer to your computer.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony-dcr-trv350-camcorder-review.htm

This is a discontinued model, and as far as I can tell the current
Sony line of digital camcorders does not have this feature.

Google Answers Researcher
Richard-ga

There is a network of companies that can do this for you.  Try these groups:

http://www.takeonenetwork.com/alphavideo/
http://www.alphavideoservices.com
http://www.takeonenetwork.com/

Cheers!

Videodude