Newbie questions

pdblizzard wrote on 5/28/2002, 12:46 PM
My config: ATI AllinWonder, Pentium III, 1000mghz, 324mg RAM, 2 drives with 8 GIG free each, one is FAT23, the other is NFTS.

I've searched the forums and found some information, but please forgive me, I'm still confused.

I need to capture some old VHS tapes, combined with my new digicam recordings, edit and play it back thru the ATI TV display back to VHS tape. I've been capturing to AVI, but I'm quickly loosing disk space. A 20 second clip is around 100 meg.

Is AVI the best capture format?
Are there different types of AVI, (one that won't eat up as much disk space?)
What's the best format to output back to VHS tape? (I've been keeping them in AVI at 320x240)

Thank you so much!

Comments

kcarroll wrote on 5/28/2002, 2:53 PM
You have a serious hard drive space issue here. So far, in my video editing efforts, I have not found an alternative to the AVI "native tongue" that VF captures in, without suffering huge losses in end product quality.

You can buy a 40gig drive now for less than $100. Do it. You will be much happier in the long run than if you mess around with radically compressed capture formats.

kcarroll
Chienworks wrote on 5/28/2002, 3:40 PM
The best format for capturing and storing is DV, which is a slightly compressed .avi file, 720x480 and takes about 225MB/minute. I've heard rumors that the latest ATI software will capture in this format. Download the latest if you don't have it.

I agree also that you will be a lot happier with more drive space available. I have two 40GB video drives and often wish i had more space.
kcarroll wrote on 5/28/2002, 4:15 PM
Just an additional comment: I use an 80gig Maxtor External Firewire Drive for my video capture drive, and it works great! I did it because all four of my IDE locations were already used, but if you're even a little bit intimidated by the thought of ripping open your box and changing out drives, consider a Firewire external drive. The install was so simple it was boring.

kcarroll
Nel. wrote on 5/28/2002, 6:17 PM
I came to the same conclusion.... I do need more space than my 60GB partitioned C/D drives....Now being a rookie in the computer world....My current hard drive is a Maxtor so buying the Maxtor 80GB sounds what I would need....but what else should I consider.... I would take the external for the install simplicity according to you all who tried... but how are my I.LINKS ports be connected... I need a 6 pin for Dazzle DV-Bridge etc...I use a HI-8 camera. In another words... can my current set up be reused with that new drive and how... Or does this drive come with all the ports required... I check the site for Maxtor... I only saw the BARE DRIVE... But I need the complete setup don't I? Is it better to get it from a store or on line... Does anyone know the price of a 80GB drive?
I can't watch my project till I get more space...
Thanks....
kcarroll wrote on 5/28/2002, 7:43 PM
If your existing IEEE-1394 card has two or more ports on it, you can just plug your Dazzle A/D converter into one port, and your external hard drive into the other. That's pretty much what I do.

If your card has only one port....., well, IEEE-1394 cards aren't real expensive. I use an Adaptec DuoConnect card that gives me two 1394 ports and three USB 2.0 ports. If you got a few extra bucks, it's a great card.

kcarroll
pdblizzard wrote on 5/28/2002, 9:56 PM
Thank you everyone who answered. I could go crazy with all the extras I could use for this new hobby of mine. Is there a DA group? [Digital Annonymous? :) ]

Chienworks - when you say "video drives" do you mean the firewire drives?
Chienworks wrote on 5/29/2002, 7:05 AM
pdblizzard, no, all my drives are internal. I've got a large case and 4 IDE connectors, so i've got room for 8 drives total inside my computer. I currently have drive C: 20GB for OS and software. Drives D: and E: are both 40GB for data, video, audio, etc. I've noticed that Western Digital has dropped the price on their 120GB 7200RPM Caviar to $209 on their website. Hopefully when the next bonus check comes in i'll pick up a pair of those to replace the two 40GB drives. Then i'll have some serious space to play in ;)
Frenchy wrote on 5/29/2002, 12:48 PM
NelMichel:

Check out this link:

http://www.storagereview.com/
(thanks, Grazie :))

Frenchy