What are 8mm, Hi8 and Digital 8 tapes and why a transfer kit?

We have a 8mm/Hi8/Digital 8 transfer kit that can be checked out for three days. What tapes does it take you may wonder? Answer: it's for Video8, Hi8 and Digital8 videotapes. The 8mm video format was developed in the 1980s to make home video cameras smaller. Before this, "camcorders" recorded to either VHS or Betamax tape, requiring a larger camera. The development of 8mm videocassettes allowed for smaller cameras. The original Video8 was entirely analog. Hi8 allowed for a special digital audio track. Digital 8 was a cassette the same size but with all digital signal, similar to a Mini DV tape. Most people who borrow the transfer kit have home video tapes. Here's an example:

The deck allows them to import these tapes into a video editing program via firewire. For more info. see the Wikipedia article on 8mm video format. Please note this kit does not transfer any audio only tape such as audio cassettes, 8-track, or reel to reel tape. Also it does not transfer 8mm or Super 8 movie film which was popular for home movies in the 1960s and 1970s.