Video Capture cards
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TheGreatGrapeApe
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What kind of video?
What is your intended source?
What do you plan on making with the captured video?
What is your budget?
Helps determine your needs.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
What is your intended source?
What do you plan on making with the captured video?
What is your budget?
Helps determine your needs.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
Coming from a video guy's standpoint, I suggest a DV converter, which essentially converts the signal you feed it into DV video, as if from a digital camcorder. This is pretty much the best quality you can get. Available from companies like Sony and Dazzle, these devices can be found for $200 US, so a PAL version (or whatever) should be well in your price range. The second and far more fun way to capture DV is to buy a used DV camcorder that has A/V INPUTS. These cameras would do the same thing as the standalone converter, but with added functionality and often for about the same price. An example would be the Canon MV400i (ZR series in the US) and many of its derivations.
You dont need firewire for all ofthose, I got my girlfriend one of them Dazzle USB units, and it works just peachy, unfortunatly the Dazzle software sux big time. Right now she is using Pinnacle movie studio for the capture, adn I hear you can use Adobe Premire with them too.
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... And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
GeneticWeapon
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- Jan 13, 2003
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I need to start learning about this stuff too.
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TheGreatGrapeApe
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Sorry for the late response I've been slowly working my way back to the posts (It was the last week of school [Essays galore]) and a few VidCard developments have happened (9600).
Anywhoo, I would actually stay away from the USBs if you are looking for GOOD quality video, I found the USB 1.1 models to only allow low quality captures (I hated the quality I got from my friends ATI USB wonder, it's good enough to watch live tv on his laptop, but crap to capture and then try and edit and display on TV or a good monitor), however the adaptec Videoh! DVD is a pretty good piece of work. It will let you capture good quality picture. Using a video camera does have the dual benifit of getting a camera to boot, but the question is whether that is important at all?
I get the feeling you are stuck on the concept of trans- portability, because really, the PCI cards have better capture options and much lower price. However if you want external then a good choice are the Dazzle (there are so many of those then there has to be one you can make fit your needs/price) Just remember US 1.1 video is not worthy of DVD burning, but will do fine for low res. VCD or AVI compressed video but they usually capture at 320x240, so go with at least the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 100, 150 or 200, the 80 is USB1.1, as is the DVC I and II. Dazzle also has a firewire solution in the Hollywood DV bridge. The DVC 100-200 all allow you the flexibility of using them at lower res. on 1.1 (to lend to a friend or relative or on an older computer) for other projects, but it depends on what you can find in your price range, but for the range you are looking for they should be fine. One advantage is also direct conversion to DV unlike the Adaptec which requires you to go through MPEG2 (just gives you some future headroom too).
For the PCI solutions, Pinnacle makes some nice equipment, which comes with handy BASIC software, but since you already have Premiere, then that's not an issue. Matrox makes Pro cards, but they are FAR out of your range. Even an ATI TV wonder might suite your needs for basic capture, but they tend to cause initial conflicts with other programs as they try to compete for capture duty, but if you are adept at fiddling with setups then hey if it's cheaper it still captures analogue with MPEG2.
For the GREATEST amount of Flexibility go with the Dazzle line (whatever matches your needs) it allows many capture options.
The thing is I still don't know what KIND of analogue source you have, if it is crummy TV or Video 8, then USB 1.1 will more than match that (320x240). Anything higher, Hi8, VHS-C, SVHS, etc. will require greater res. (720X576 in your case, 720x480 here in N.A.)to capture all the info.
And then from there a program like Premiere (especially when used in conjunction with Photoshop) can give you professional quality results that would look good and DVD,S-VCD, or simply as archiveal footage on your computer. Yeah it isn't good enough for D-VHS and HDTV, but since you're starting with Analogue I don't think that's your goal, although with enough video tweaking you could even make it acceptable for that.
One LAST consideration if you are using a LAPTOP to capture, here's a bit of advice from someone who has had to do this for my DAD's I-book. GET an EXTERNAL FireWire or USB 2.0 (Decide based on if you only have connectors for one or the other) Harddrvie (best you can get [I put a WD 800JB 8mb cache {same as my desktop uses}in a Pyro Chassis]) and then hook up your Video source and your External HD to the laptop via these highspeed connections. It's amazing how much smoother video capture is (at least 20% improvement over the I-book's internal HD) Even the ELITE Laptop drives are only 5400rpm now, and yours is likely the 4k variety or worse. In anycase, if you do this stuff often enough and you will be using a laptop for ANY of it, then you'll apreciate it. If it's just a one of thing then you may not care. The question is; Do you want to spend the money for a pretty noticeable performance increase on a laptop (negligeable on a good desktop)? Hey it also helps in Back-ups!
Anywhoo, hope that adds some more light on the situation. Hope it wasn't too rambling, just trying to rememebr the stuff as I write.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
Anywhoo, I would actually stay away from the USBs if you are looking for GOOD quality video, I found the USB 1.1 models to only allow low quality captures (I hated the quality I got from my friends ATI USB wonder, it's good enough to watch live tv on his laptop, but crap to capture and then try and edit and display on TV or a good monitor), however the adaptec Videoh! DVD is a pretty good piece of work. It will let you capture good quality picture. Using a video camera does have the dual benifit of getting a camera to boot, but the question is whether that is important at all?
I get the feeling you are stuck on the concept of trans- portability, because really, the PCI cards have better capture options and much lower price. However if you want external then a good choice are the Dazzle (there are so many of those then there has to be one you can make fit your needs/price) Just remember US 1.1 video is not worthy of DVD burning, but will do fine for low res. VCD or AVI compressed video but they usually capture at 320x240, so go with at least the Dazzle Digital Video Creator 100, 150 or 200, the 80 is USB1.1, as is the DVC I and II. Dazzle also has a firewire solution in the Hollywood DV bridge. The DVC 100-200 all allow you the flexibility of using them at lower res. on 1.1 (to lend to a friend or relative or on an older computer) for other projects, but it depends on what you can find in your price range, but for the range you are looking for they should be fine. One advantage is also direct conversion to DV unlike the Adaptec which requires you to go through MPEG2 (just gives you some future headroom too).
For the PCI solutions, Pinnacle makes some nice equipment, which comes with handy BASIC software, but since you already have Premiere, then that's not an issue. Matrox makes Pro cards, but they are FAR out of your range. Even an ATI TV wonder might suite your needs for basic capture, but they tend to cause initial conflicts with other programs as they try to compete for capture duty, but if you are adept at fiddling with setups then hey if it's cheaper it still captures analogue with MPEG2.
For the GREATEST amount of Flexibility go with the Dazzle line (whatever matches your needs) it allows many capture options.
The thing is I still don't know what KIND of analogue source you have, if it is crummy TV or Video 8, then USB 1.1 will more than match that (320x240). Anything higher, Hi8, VHS-C, SVHS, etc. will require greater res. (720X576 in your case, 720x480 here in N.A.)to capture all the info.
And then from there a program like Premiere (especially when used in conjunction with Photoshop) can give you professional quality results that would look good and DVD,S-VCD, or simply as archiveal footage on your computer. Yeah it isn't good enough for D-VHS and HDTV, but since you're starting with Analogue I don't think that's your goal, although with enough video tweaking you could even make it acceptable for that.
One LAST consideration if you are using a LAPTOP to capture, here's a bit of advice from someone who has had to do this for my DAD's I-book. GET an EXTERNAL FireWire or USB 2.0 (Decide based on if you only have connectors for one or the other) Harddrvie (best you can get [I put a WD 800JB 8mb cache {same as my desktop uses}in a Pyro Chassis]) and then hook up your Video source and your External HD to the laptop via these highspeed connections. It's amazing how much smoother video capture is (at least 20% improvement over the I-book's internal HD) Even the ELITE Laptop drives are only 5400rpm now, and yours is likely the 4k variety or worse. In anycase, if you do this stuff often enough and you will be using a laptop for ANY of it, then you'll apreciate it. If it's just a one of thing then you may not care. The question is; Do you want to spend the money for a pretty noticeable performance increase on a laptop (negligeable on a good desktop)? Hey it also helps in Back-ups!
Anywhoo, hope that adds some more light on the situation. Hope it wasn't too rambling, just trying to rememebr the stuff as I write.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
AudioFreak
Distinguished
- Apr 16, 2003
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- 18,510
Hi.
Quickly get the Pinnable Studio Deluxe because Pinnacle is offering a $100 rebate and you can get for $200.
http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Code=PYB 210100189
I just got it a few weeks ago and very happy with it. Since it offers both Analog & digital (FireWire) capture , so if you get a new video camera you can easily start capturing from that one too.
Quickly get the Pinnable Studio Deluxe because Pinnacle is offering a $100 rebate and you can get for $200.
http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Code=PYB 210100189
I just got it a few weeks ago and very happy with it. Since it offers both Analog & digital (FireWire) capture , so if you get a new video camera you can easily start capturing from that one too.
Right, my laptop is a dell with an IBM 5400RPM HDD so it is of decent quality.
The original idea was to get a PCMCIA card as it would offer a decent quality. I do have a new desktop in the line (power surge blew the damn thing up and even though I am doing electronics engineering, I could not repair it!)
I am capturing from VHS and I am not too bothered about a high res although it would be great. This is the one area of computers that while I do electronics and know all the theory, I have not kept up with reviews of capture cards etc.
Ofcourse the problem with my laptop is it is voodoo 1.1 :/ but it does have a firewire 4 pin connector, which is cool.
Preferably I want to be able to capture in MPEG 2 and writing to DVD is not as important to me, however the VCD would be cool.
What editing program would you recommend? Do the programs that come with the cards work well, while I have premiere, it is only on my dad's PC which I cant use while i am at uni.
You did help and have given me more to think about
Thx
The original idea was to get a PCMCIA card as it would offer a decent quality. I do have a new desktop in the line (power surge blew the damn thing up and even though I am doing electronics engineering, I could not repair it!)
I am capturing from VHS and I am not too bothered about a high res although it would be great. This is the one area of computers that while I do electronics and know all the theory, I have not kept up with reviews of capture cards etc.
Ofcourse the problem with my laptop is it is voodoo 1.1 :/ but it does have a firewire 4 pin connector, which is cool.
Preferably I want to be able to capture in MPEG 2 and writing to DVD is not as important to me, however the VCD would be cool.
What editing program would you recommend? Do the programs that come with the cards work well, while I have premiere, it is only on my dad's PC which I cant use while i am at uni.
You did help and have given me more to think about
Thx
TheGreatGrapeApe
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- Feb 18, 2003
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The software that comes with them should be adequate, but I haven't used them. I have used ulead's stuff for about a week as a test trial, but seriously Premiere is the way to go for SERIOUS editing, but for basic cut and past, the stuff that ships with the units should be fine.
As for the Hollywood vs the 150, I would say go with what fits your current system (since you don't really NEED an external drive. IF you don't have USB 2.0 on you laptop (if you THINK you do CHECK for sure, DELL actually go a few bad reviews and got the DAWG from MaximumPC sicked on them for advertising 2.0 and actually not having a single USB 2.0 port [turns out it just has that option availible when specifically requested] because the board didn't support it, they just could ADD it for you [sometimes they had to send out PCMCIA cards]) Anywhoo if you have the free firewire port then go with the Hollywood IMO, if you have TRUE USB 2.0 then go with it if you want to leave the firewire free for a video camera. Firewire uses less onbaord resources so may give you added efficiences but I don't know.
<b>HOWEVER</b> I don't own either of these. so I don't know EXACTLY how they stack up. I know the Hollywood DV Bridge is well liked from the reviews I have read, and Ditto about the 200. But, I don't know which one would necessarily be BETTER head to head, especially since it's the 150 you want. Check the features and see if there is one that truely catches your eye. IF they are exactly the same in all aspects, than truely what I said above is your only concern, do you want a free Firewire port, or do you want efficient transfer? However under no circumstances should you chose a 1.1 for this function, even if you are not capturing at MAX.
Just my 2 frames worth. Once again.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
As for the Hollywood vs the 150, I would say go with what fits your current system (since you don't really NEED an external drive. IF you don't have USB 2.0 on you laptop (if you THINK you do CHECK for sure, DELL actually go a few bad reviews and got the DAWG from MaximumPC sicked on them for advertising 2.0 and actually not having a single USB 2.0 port [turns out it just has that option availible when specifically requested] because the board didn't support it, they just could ADD it for you [sometimes they had to send out PCMCIA cards]) Anywhoo if you have the free firewire port then go with the Hollywood IMO, if you have TRUE USB 2.0 then go with it if you want to leave the firewire free for a video camera. Firewire uses less onbaord resources so may give you added efficiences but I don't know.
<b>HOWEVER</b> I don't own either of these. so I don't know EXACTLY how they stack up. I know the Hollywood DV Bridge is well liked from the reviews I have read, and Ditto about the 200. But, I don't know which one would necessarily be BETTER head to head, especially since it's the 150 you want. Check the features and see if there is one that truely catches your eye. IF they are exactly the same in all aspects, than truely what I said above is your only concern, do you want a free Firewire port, or do you want efficient transfer? However under no circumstances should you chose a 1.1 for this function, even if you are not capturing at MAX.
Just my 2 frames worth. Once again.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
Well as far as I can see there is litte difference between the Hollywood and the 150 is the 150 has a DVD encoding chip onboard.
But really, I definately know my laptop does not have USB 2.0 so dont worry about it! Fiewire is known to have the better sustained transfer rate anyway and I prefer firewire devices!
Thanks for your help.....
But really, I definately know my laptop does not have USB 2.0 so dont worry about it! Fiewire is known to have the better sustained transfer rate anyway
and I prefer firewire devices!Thanks for your help.....
Well as far as I can see there is litte difference between the Hollywood and the 150 is the 150 has a DVD encoding chip onboard.
But really, I definately know my laptop does not have USB 2.0 so dont worry about it! Fiewire is known to have the better sustained transfer rate anyway and I prefer firewire devices!
Thanks for your help.....
But really, I definately know my laptop does not have USB 2.0 so dont worry about it! Fiewire is known to have the better sustained transfer rate anyway
and I prefer firewire devices!Thanks for your help.....
TheGreatGrapeApe
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Double post, go to jail do not pass go. :tongue:
Yeah I prefer Firewire too. I think either way it will fit your needs basically. And the you can add a USB HD later when you become the Master PORN producer, I mean home film maker.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
Yeah I prefer Firewire too. I think either way it will fit your needs basically. And the you can add a USB HD later when you become the Master PORN producer, I mean home film maker.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
TheGreatGrapeApe
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Yes and now you know why they call me GREAT.
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <font color=red>RED</font color=red> <font color=green>GREEN</font color=green> :tongue: GA to SK
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