Video editing software
 

I'm looking for a program to edit my hi8 tapes on my computer. A friend recommended Pinnacle Media Suite. I can pick it up for under $100. Is this a good choice or do you have other recommendations?

I like Adobe Premiere (and it now comes in an easier version to learn Premiere Elements)

I have both Pinnacle and Adobe Premier Elements. I always felt Pinnacle was like using shareware, with constant requests to pay for certain menu items.

Premier Elements works great, with fewer crashes than Pinnacle.

YMMV

I've used Nero to do what you are trying to do.

Pinnacle has recently released v10 of their suite, and many places are offering v9 for free (after rebate) to get rid of it. I've used v9 for a couple of years and for the price (under $100 when released) it's a perfectly acceptable suite, a significant upgrade from v8.

You mentioned Hi8 tapes so be aware that you're talking about an analog input from your camcorder to your computer - you'll need some type of hardware device to connect the two - unlike a digital camcorder which only requires a firewire card in the computer and the software.

Bruce

I like SONY Vegas Movie Studio+DVD

I'm a fan of Pinnacle Studio. It's gotten quite a bit better in the last couple of years. It's easy to use, too.

Try Windows Movie Maker if you are running Windows XP. Its FREE! :D Link

I've used Adobe Premier and Mac's Final Cut Pro, but if you are looking for something quick and easy, Windows Movie Maker might be sufficient enough. Why spend a lot of money on software.

And as another poster suggested, you will need to buy hardware for your computer to get your Hi-8 footage onto you computer as digital files.

Can you play a hi8 tape with a digital 8 camcorder, using it as the hardware device you refer to?

I think so based on this info from the support web site:

Analog tapes and Digital8 camcorders:

SmartCapture requires DV timecode. Analog tapes (Hi8 and 8mm) do not have DV timecode even when played in a Digital8 camcorder. As a result, it is not possible to use SmartCapture with analog tapes played in a Digital8 camcorder. To use your analog tapes with Studio, either capture them at full quality, or copy them to DV tape.

"Smart Capture" is a feature of the program, and while it cannot be used with Hi8 tapes, the answer would imply that you can still do a full quality capture, just using the digital camcorder. However I've not tried to do this so I'm not completely sure.

Bruce

I've not done this either, but I agree with your anaysis of the functionality. I'd bet it will work.