I have an old Samsung VP-A30 video camera with loads of 8mm tapes, and would like to transfer to either TV/Video/PC. Unfortunately, there seems to be just one AV output source, which feels rather fragile, and when connected to transfer to PC, via USB, produces a No Signal notice from the software. I believe there used to be a cartridge one entered into a VHS recorder, so the tapes could be placed directly into the video for playing. Maybe I am wrong, but, could someone out there maybe help, as there is about 10 years of family history just going to be ditched. Hopefully, many thanks. Ron Bryans

Hi,
You need to connect the video camera using the VP-A30/A31/A33 or A34 cable from the AV output to a TV Video in/Audio in jack. Set the TV to one of your auxillary channels.
Insert a 8mm tape into the video recorder and press play you will be able to then view the recording on the TV. Connect the TV to a DVD/VCR player and you can save the images to DVD/VCR.

Hello Ron,
Well that is like you say an old camera, mind you 8mm is still far the best and safest way to store your valued films as it has kept the data on those tapes longer than any DVD ever did, remember unlike we thought 10 years ago a DVD only has around 8 to 10 years life span, we are finding CD & DVD productions that are over 8 years old just wont play any longer.
Kodak put a report on the net 7 years ago that they found even some quite costly DVD recorded media had gone blank and refused to play after a very short time in storage.
I think you ought to look around Ebay, find a nice HI8 digital camera, put your loved tapes in that, plug the new Firewire cable into the camera, and your PC and download your treasured items to another media like DVD.
Keep your 8mm tapes in a draw safe though because they will out-live all DVD recordings I can honestly say that.
David