What Video capture device should I get?

erikrich wrote on 8/31/2003, 10:44 PM

I have a capture card for my PC, but I just got a laptop and would like to get a stand alone capture device for it. I need it to convert my analog video to digital. Any suggestions on one that is on the more inexpensive side but will still work well?

Comments

miketree wrote on 9/1/2003, 2:50 AM

Hmmm - Laptop Eh?

I'd suggest the Canopus ADVC-100. They're not what I'd call cheap at £200-£250 but they work a treat. You'd also need a PCMCIA firewire adaptor if you don't have firewire built in to your laptop.

....or you could put your £250 towards a digital camcorder...

inkybme1 wrote on 9/2/2003, 11:35 PM

From what I've ready, you should go for one of the Canopus video converters if you're planning on editing analog video. One of the better ones is athe ADVC100 which is an external converter that plugs into your laptops firewire port (assuming you have one). It's not cheap ($299), but it should save you hours of frustration...and I prefer to pay a little more and be happy rather than save a couple of bucks and frustrated. Anyone else have any ideas?

Steve Grisetti wrote on 9/3/2003, 8:28 AM

You may also consider this piece from Dazzle/Pinnacle:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JF4M/qid=1062595574/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-4208356-3341600

As you can see, it retails for $200, but used pieces are selling for $50 at Amazon. (Most likely being sold by people who've upgraded to DV!)

JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/3/2003, 6:33 PM

> Most likely being sold by people who've upgraded to DV!

Or… more likely because Dazzle is no more! Pinnacle bought them and discontinued their hardware and software. Pinnacle sent an email to all Dazzle customers explaining that after Sept 30, 2003 they are “on their own” unless they upgrade to Pinnacle hardware and software. I would not recommend anyone touch Dazzle at this point.

~jr