Video Capture Card Purchase- What should I look for?

markrad wrote on 4/21/2002, 12:50 AM
I haven't even purchased VideoFactory yet but I'm so impressed with the trial version and THIS FORUM that I just had to post. (I really like to do my homework)
I am running a Pentium 733Mhz, Windows 98SE, DVD-ROM drive,CD-R/W drive,128MegRAM, and 13Gig free on the hard drive. I've come to the conclusion that I will need a video capture card of some sort. WHAT SHOULD I look for in a capture card and how critical is this? I will be interfacing my Sony Digital8 cameras to Video Factory which means "firewire", is that correct? How many inputs and outputs, and what type will I need? I am completely new to "firewire" connections. I also want to be able to, in turn, output "print to tape",if that is the correct term, and back to either a VHS VCR and/or the Sony Digital8 video cameras. One intended use will be taking the vast family home video library and burning VCDs for playback in a stand-alone CD-R compatible DVD player. Further down the line I hope to create VCD's with chapter menus and maybe get back into doing video production for hire as a sideline once again. Jump right on in and educate me on anything else you think I'll need to know getting started. My expertise to this point has all been Analog, seat-of-the-pants editing until now. (does the Panasonic AVE5 video mixer ring a bell with anyone? :-)
Thanks in advance to everyone! Mark

Comments

Hammer45 wrote on 4/21/2002, 1:10 AM
I can tell you of my own personal journey:
I started with a Dazzle 80 - slow USB interface, dropped a LOT of frames, wound up being more of a 'tease' than anything.
Next an ATI All-In-Wonder card - faster interface, but still dropping frames and never could get the drivers quite right.
Then a Dazzle Hollywood Bridge - faster Firewire interface, but otherwise poor quality capture and very poor quality output to tape.

Finally, a frequent poster on this forum (chienworks) said that really the only way to go was with the Canopus ADVC-100 - Firewire interface to the PC, just about any kind of input/output setup you need, and during my test captures NOT ONE SINGLE FRAME DROPPED. Overall, I am thrilled with the Canopus unit. They run about $300 (interestingly the same as the Hollywood Bridge), but it is money very well spent.

Just my two cents worth.

PS: Just in case you're curious, here is what I am running -
Tyan Tiger 230, Dual PIII 1 GHz procs, 640 MB PC133 RAM, 20 GB 7200 RPM IBM (C), 60 GB 7200 RPM IBM (D), 32x10x40x CDRW, DVD, ATI Radeon VE 32 DDR, Firewire, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, Windows XP Pro, Viewsonic 21" A110

Stiffler wrote on 4/21/2002, 2:50 AM
The Producer...I'm glad you are doing your homework. I wish I would have checked out some forums before I bought VW5. Your computer is awsome, sometime you may think about adding a HD just for storage. (I added 80gig to my 30gig ($150).

And, yes you need a fire wire card. http://www.compusa.com/products/products.asp

You can get a Siig card WITH cable for $40. (Very easy to install). Your camera will connect from your PC to your camera via one cable.

Hammer45 gave very good advice about the Canopus converter, and it is recommended by alot of people (chienworks) if you have an analoge camera. (Sorry if I'm stepping on your toes, Hammer45).

But you already have a Digital 8 camera, so it will be really painless for you. The only thing I have not done is the 'pass-through' with my camera, but I can dump my Hi-8 videos into my computer with my Digita-8 camera (Sony -TRV240). I love the 'Print-to-Tape' function.

You will be able to make VCD's with VF too. If you want menu's you may have to use another program. (I havn't done it yet). Many people use alot of different programs to get the final result(VCD, SVCD, etc...).

Start with an editing program that will work (VF), and go from there.

Hope that helps, Jon



randy-stewart wrote on 4/21/2002, 3:44 AM
The Producer,
All advice above is good, however, no need to spend the bucks on the Canopus (unless you want to) as your Sony Handycam Digital 8 can do the job via pass-through, converting your analog to digital as a result. I'm doing that now with my Sony TRV120 and plan to post a new production to Chineworks web site soon that has been built totally from passed through clips originating from my VHS VCR. So, all you'll need is that card for the firewire import from the camera. You can use it to output to tape back to your camera and ultimately back to VHS tape via copying from the camera. This pass through capability is really cool and cost effective. Good luck and happy editing.
Randy