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By Dennis D. from Joplin, MO on 1/21/2008

I purchased the GV-D800 Digital8 Walkman as a practical way to play an existing archive of Hi8 camcorder recordings of '90s vintage, and as a way to dub/edit from Hi8 to Digital8 and transfer on to DVD. The GV-D800 is a fine piece of ergonomics and workmanship, with easy-to-use controls, and plenty of inputs and outputs. (Many of these features are no longer available on new camcorders.) These machines filled a niche that was never really filled--few prosumer-model 8mm VCRs/players were ever marketed, and most consumers with Hi8/Digital8 camcorders and a collection of recordings have little choice but to use their camcorders for playback. The layout of controls is very nice, the screens are compact, and the design is Sony at its best.

The Digital8 format has sadly lost out to MiniDV and DVD, and now hard-drive format video is now superseding those formats. (Sony has a reputation of catering to diehards as long as it can--BETA enthusiasts will attest to that--and it is obvious that this is the pinnacle for Digital8 technology.)

As of this review's posting (Jan. 2008), the GV-D800 is a closeout item no longer manufactured by Sony. The company still sells an entry-level model of Hi8 camcorder very affordably, and Hi8 and Digital8 blank tapes are still available new. (I've discovered that Sony cleaning cassettes are no longer available though.) If you have an archive of 8mm/Hi8mm/Digital8 recordings, then I would recommend obtaining one of these while they can still be purchased new (hurry) or used in good condition. This is ideal for making conversions to DVD, especially if your original camcorder is aging or worn out. The GV-D800 would also be great for amateur videographers/filmmakers on a limited budget who cannot yet afford high-definition video components.

I wish I could have afforded a Sony 8mm Walkman a decade ago. Highly recommended--get one of these dinosaurs while you still can! (Stock up on some blank tapes.)