Trouble converting Hi8 tapes

Hi,

I've had experience converting mini DV tapes to digital with no trouble, but I can't seem to get anywhere with Hi8 tapes.

I have a sony digital video recorder that connects to my computer via firewire. When I open up the import screen in FCPX I get a feed of the Hi8 video playing in the camera, but I'm unable to convert or archive what is playing. There's a box in the top right corner that says "No Date from Device," but the feed is playing. Any idea what the issue is?

I would like to get these tapes converted for a client, but this is not my expertise and I'm feeling really lost. They are unwilling to send them out to a service, so I'm hoping to get this worked out. :S

Thanks.

Couple of days since you posted - got the problem resolved?

I converted all my old analog Hi8 tapes a few months ago, but using an analog-digital converter (Canopus ADVC 100, a brand now taken over by Belden, Grassvalley.com) between the Hi8 camera and computer. That works.

If the recordings on the tapes merit getting as good quality as possible, then be aware that it may be possible to get very good quality images off the old tapes if you have a good playback (I wrote a little about the process in my earliest posts). Check up on what it would cost to have it done by a good service because it is not expensive at all, in my view.