Conversion from hi-8 to mini-DV

[sloppyjoe]

What is the easiest, cleaniest and least expensive way to convert hi-8 video to mini-DV. My buddies and I have filmed a lot of skiing in the last 5-6 years with an older Sony hi-8 format camera and are hoping to convert all that film over to a digital format. It is my understanding that it is much simpler and cleaner to edit digital media, as opposed to analog. We have both a Sony hi-8 camera and a new JVC mini-DV camera. We would eventually like to take all the hi-8 film and new min-DV film and put a movie together. So, my question is: What is required to conver the analog film to digital? And, is that the best way to go? Are there other options that we should consider. As you can tell, we are new to this and could use some help. Any info regarding these topics will be beneficial to us at this point. Keep in mind, we are working with a limited budget.

Thanks!