Just starting, need advice!

[Crunk]

I might have some things confused and I didn't realize it would be this long so bear with me.

OK, i'm looking for a capture card to record some shows on cable TV. I would like a card that can capture AVI and MPEG 1/2. The first thing I would do is try and see what the quality is when I capture straight to MPEG 1/2 and if the quality is decent enough for me, then I will continue that way. If not, then I will have to capture to AVI and convert to (S)VCD. As I don't have a system that's fast, I would like to avoid having to convert as it takes....very long and pretty much renders this P3 866 MHz, 512 SDRAM, computer running Win2k useless (Limited to web surfing, which just slows the process even more).

I was pretty decided on buying an Asus TV Tuner (TV880), however it can't be found anywhere and I read that Asus might have even discontinued it. So I was forced to look for something else and I have found some

Leadtek WinFast TV2000 XP Deluxe
http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_deluxe_1.html
Pixelview PlayTV PVR
http://www.prolink.com.tw/english/products/multimedia/PLAYTV%20PVR.htm
Pixelview XCapture
http://www.prolink.com.tw/english/products/multimedia/XCapture.htm
Lifeview Flyvideo 3000
http://www.lifeview.com.tw/eng/pro_fly_3000.html
Hauppauge WinTV-radio
http://www.hauppauge.com/html/wintv_pci_datasheet.htm
Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-250
http://www.hauppauge.com/html/wintvpvr250_datasheet.htm

The PlayTV and the XCapture claims that they are PCI low-profile, this is just the size/design of the card right? I can use it on any PCI slot?

What I don't get is the difference between PVR's and capture cards. I know that PVR's get like time-shifting and schedulers or something similar. Is that the only advantage to PVR's? Can the PlayTV or WinTV PVR capture AVI? I know the WinFast one says it can, but the others don't show that anywhere. Is the encoding all controlled by the software you use or what?

Alright, so what do you guys think would be the best for me?

[andkiich]

Don't forget to look at the ATI All-In-Wonder cards. I have a 7500 and it has been a very good performer for me. It can do everything that you are looking for and the price is quite reasonable. For a little more you can also find the 8500.

[txpharoah]

Ditto.
ATI All In Wonder cards. $100-300
If you have more money, look at a Matrox RTX100. $1000-1300
The Canopus MPEG Pro cards are nice too. $500-600

[Gil T Pleasure]

I have the WinTV-PVR250 and it works great for me. And best of all, it has a built-in hardware encoder so it doesn't need a lot of processing power to do its job.

[dvdhell]

I've been trying for some time now to burn my project to DVD. I first created it using moviemaker2. I was given the TDK indi420n to create DVDs for people. I've tried several options to burn the DVD but I always get a garbage video. It looks like it was shot under water and is very pixelated in spots. I use Nero and NeroExpress to burn. I am playing back in the same drive I used to burn and I've also tried my Pioneer DVD-ROM.

I had copied the project to digital tape and the video and audio was great. I also tried capturing from the tape and burning with Nero. Same results.

I have the TDK as Master and the Pioneer as slave using cable select.

I tried capture to AVI and capture to MPEG, both had the same results.

[Crunk]

Thanks for the replies. I have a few more questions in addition to those above.

If bought the AIW 7500, can I capture at 480 x 480 with MPEG 2 (SVCD) and be able to burn it right away? (Disregarding the quality issues, just asking if I can do it)

I have a GeForce2 32MB GTS, does anyone know if the AIW 7500 is more powerful?

[txpharoah]

If bought the AIW 7500, can I capture at 480 x 480 with MPEG 2 (SVCD) and be able to burn it right away? (Disregarding the quality issues, just asking if I can do it)

Yes. Just be sure to update your MMC and drivers when you get it. The disc in the box is old. Visit ati.com

[andkiich]

I'll just add more to txpharoah's answer, you can cap up to 720x576 with the ATI AIW 7500 - given that your machine is up to the task of handling the throughput.