I have loads of Hi8 analogue tapes (approx. 2 from my old Sony camcorder and want to convert them to digital formats that I can store for future and watch and maybe even edit if I ever got the time. I didn't put them onto VHS as I wanted to retain the original quality.
A few years ago I attempted to convert them using Pinnacle Studio Version 10 with the 500-USB device on my then nearly new computer Dell P4 3.2 GHz, 1 Gig Ram Windows xp service pack 2 with NVDIA QUADRO FX540 graphics card. This proved to be a complete waste of time and money and after numerous attempts and alot of emails to pinnacle support I gave up. Basically the quality was useless.

What options are there to get the best quality saved in a digtal format either by paying somebody to convert which I am not keen on in regards to the cost or using a Canopus device which seems to be a popoular suggestion. Are there standalone machines that could be pisked up on Ebay?

PS. The old camcoder is starting to squeek so might not be upto playing all the old tapes.