capture card

hendo wrote on 12/17/2002, 11:16 AM
Hi
My friend has bought his first computer, and is considering ataching his analouge camcorder to it to capture and edit his home movies, and then pump the finished version back to his camcorder or vcr.
Does anyone have any idea what low cost analouge capture card would be suitable for him. I was thinking that perhaps he could connect his camcorder to my digital one via the sound - video leads, and that I could record his tapes on to mine therebye digitising them. Am I making any sense 8-)

Andrew

Comments

discdude wrote on 12/17/2002, 2:05 PM
> I was thinking that perhaps he could connect his camcorder to my digital one via
> the sound - video leads, and that I could record his tapes on to mine therebye
> digitising them. Am I making any sense 8-)

Yup, this is probably the best way to go (as long as you don't mind your friend bugging you for your camcorder all the time).

Otherwise, how low is "low" when it comes to cost.
Chienworks wrote on 12/17/2002, 2:35 PM
The digital camcorder idea is a good way to start. He will have to have a firewire port and cable to connect his computer to your camcorder, but you should be able to pick up these in the $20 each range. Check your camcorder for a passthrough feature. If it has this, you're all set. Just play the analog tape from his camcorder through yours and out through firewire to the computer. If not, you may have to dub from his camcorder to a DV tape in yours first, then play that DV dub back to capture.

I would definately consider this a temporary solution though. You'll eventually find yourself fighting to get your DV camcorder back from him all the time ;)
Stiffler wrote on 12/18/2002, 1:12 AM
...and then your friend would just want to shoot all his video with your camera...next he might just want to use your computer also... ;)

How cheap...?? $200-300 for a Canopus converter for excellent quality. Or less than $100 that will capture, but with less than desirable results.







hendo wrote on 12/18/2002, 11:30 AM
Hi
Thanks for your prompt reply's I think I will go down the camcorder route first, providing this works, get him a cheap firewire card and the demo of VF and see how he gets on. If he gets the bug then he will have to buy a digital camcorder and a copy of VF. He is not getting mine, but he can have the wife and kids 8-)

Andrew