Comments

Chienworks wrote on 10/18/2002, 11:23 PM
Typically a capture card accepts an analog signal and does the conversion to digital inside the computer.

A firewire interface accepts a DV signal that is already digital. In order to do this with your VHS tapes you'll need an external converter device to change the analog A/V signal into digital.

Which is better? Well, it depends on how much money you're willing to spend. The cheaper devices don't do well at all. Once you get up to about $300, the external converters are very good. The internal capture cards don't match them until you get up to around twice that price.
gnfoster wrote on 10/21/2002, 3:41 PM
I still use my old Dazzle for things as such. It's quality doesn't match that of DV, but...

It imports and autmatically compresses as .mpg. When rendering in Vegas this may cause enough degrading to not be worth the time.

Anyone out there know? I haven't tried.

Look on eBay for a deal on the Dazzle. There are many different models of Dazzle, so research on the Dazzle website first to know exactly which model you need.

Neil
gnfoster wrote on 10/21/2002, 3:43 PM
Hmmm. If your using a video capture card, it probably does the same thing as a Dazzle. .mpg format.

If you actually want to convert to digital, it can be quite expensive as Chienworks stated.

Neil
HeeHee wrote on 10/21/2002, 3:56 PM
Canopus has a line of capture cards and devices that would suit your needs that range in price from $200 - $300. You would need to chose one based on what you are going to be doing with it. If all you need to do is come in from an analog source to convert to digital then the ADVC-50 at $200 is a good option. This is an add-in card that allows you to hook up an analog device such as your VHS VCR and convert to digital thru the card. It also has a firewire connection to go in or out to a DV deck or camcorder.

I would chose this method over an analog capture card for two reasons:
1) Unlike analog capture cards, analog to digital converters sync the a/v properly
2) A smaller file will be created with the converter (5 times smaller)
Spirit wrote on 10/22/2002, 9:17 AM
If you want to capture analog I highly recommend the Osprey 210. It's cheap, robust, has no consumer-level gimmicks, and is good quality. Look here:
http://www.viewcast.com/products/osprey/osprey210.html
mit wrote on 10/22/2002, 10:33 AM
could you suggest a external converter device to change the analog A/V signal into digital please.
This external converter device also works with a firewire interface?
thanks

HeeHee wrote on 10/22/2002, 11:28 AM
Canopus ADVC-100 is what you want for an external device if you need all its features. Check the Canopus Website to find out which product is best for you.

FYI - With the ADVC-100 you will need to purchase a OHCI compliant 1394 firewire card seperately.
HeeHee wrote on 10/22/2002, 11:34 AM
<<It (ADVC-50) also has a firewire connection to go in or out to a DV deck or camcorder.>>

Sorry, this info I provided was wrong. The ADVC-50 does not have a built-in firewire connection. The ADVC-1394 does, but costs $50 more.
Spirit wrote on 10/22/2002, 8:01 PM
If you've got two slots free why not just have an analog capture card installed and a Firewire card side by side ? Then you can just plug into whatever you need. Same difference. . .
bapski wrote on 10/23/2002, 1:38 AM
i have a dazzle dvc2 if youre interested just msg me....