Suggestions for Capture Card

[fender1]

Ok, I want to be able to capture VHS tapes straight into both DVD format (to save processing time) and into lower res MPEG1 and 2 (to limit file size) depending on the VHS. What capture card would you all suggest? I probably wont be doing a lot of editing of video (my VHS are already commerical free) unless it's to clean up a VHS and only if that is easy to do. (is it?)

1. WinTV-PVR 250 ($150)
Says it doesn't capture in AVI
Comes with ULead DVD authoring, which i've heard good things about
Nice Tv Tuner and scheduler.
No S-Video/composite output, No Audio output
No hardware MPEG decoder

2. Win-TV PVR ($190)
Same as above except captures in AVI and MPEG

3. ATI AIW 9000 ($180)
1. Have to reverse fields after capture
2. Also provides and upgrade to my current video card (64 Ti4200 8X)
3. Comes with Pinnacle Sutdio 8.1
4. Macrovision protection

[Bob W]

AVerDVD EZMaker, $39 at CompUSA. Comes with an AVer PCI capture card and NeoDVD Standard software for capturing, converting, editing, authoring, and burning.

I would also suggest spending another $39 at BestBuy for the Sima CopyMaster which goes between your VCR and capture card to filter, amplify, level, and re-sync the VCR output. I use this combo to capture my VHS directly as mpeg2 DVD ready.

[Sam Ontario]

Tom's Hardware just introduced MSI FX5600. Just read it before you buy any other cards.

[bushka]

Hi I am an absolute newbie, wanting to do the same (VHS/Camcorder tapes --> DVD or VCD or SVCD).

1. What capture/graphics card should I get ??
2. What software should I get ??
3. What are the steps I shoud go through ??

Much obliged.

[fender1]

Two things

1) Does the AVerDVD have a TV tuner? It's something that I really want in addition to the capture properties. Or is the AVerDVD so much better than the other cards that it's smarter to buy that and then buy a TV tuner seperate?

2) With the WinTV products I keep hearing VCD, can this card cap at DVD compliant MPEG? It seems so, but you think they'd mention it somewhere.

[Bob W]

The $39 AVer card does not have the tuner however I believe there is a a higher cost AVer version at CompUSA that is a tuner and capture card. I don't know what software comes with this card.

[fender1]

The $80 AVer TVtuner/PVR card had this listed at the bottom

"Time Shift., I-Record. and Record video in MPEG2 are only available with the WDM driver under Windows 98SE/2000/ME"

I run Win XP, this a problem?

And what is your opinion on going this route versus spending 170 for the ATI AIW 9000 pro? Which is easier/better for video cap? and is the extra gaming power worth the $90 difference?

[Bob W]

The $80 AVer TVtuner/PVR card had this listed at the bottom

"Time Shift., I-Record. and Record video in MPEG2 are only available with the WDM driver under Windows 98SE/2000/ME"

I run Win XP, this a problem?

And what is your opinion on going this route versus spending 170 for the ATI AIW 9000 pro? Which is easier/better for video cap? and is the extra gaming power worth the $90 difference?

I run winXP with my AVer capture card with no problems ever.

If you're into gaming and need a video card for that anyway then the ATI card is a good one.

[divx2vcd]

Ok you go for your BUDGET and with your Pocket.

Take the CANOPUS MVR1000 Capture Card. Best for VCDs & DVDs.

Any other Company is ARRAY In India Both The Both Cards Are Available For
Around Rs.40,000/- to 50,000/-.

Low on pocket go for Pinnacle is Preferable. Snazzi Is Also Good.


https://www.videohelp.com/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&t=168419

Bye

[fender1]

Does anyone have any feedback on ATI AIW 9000 Pro? Would it be a smart buy as I already own (and recently bought about 4 months ago) a Ti4200. How about compared to the MSI GeF 5600-VDTR128?

[thayne]

I have a PVR-250 and like it see comments below:


1. WinTV-PVR 250 ($150)
Says it doesn't capture in AVI
It doesn't, only Mpeg, which is fine for what I use it for which is recording TV

Comes with ULead DVD authoring, which i've heard good things about
Nice Tv Tuner and scheduler.
The Ulead software is nice, but the tuner/Schedular software that come with it suck ass! You will need to get SageTv or SageRecorder, it's worth the price

No S-Video/composite output, No Audio output
Not a big deal for me as I burn most stuff to a DVDRW, but you can get a video card with TV out for pretty cheap. Or get the PVR-350 which does have TV output

No hardware MPEG decoder
If you have a fast computer it's no big deal, the PVR-350 does have hardware decoding

[cplevel42]

If you need a good video card with:

Tv Tuner
Capture (DVD VCD SVCD)
Time Shifting
Guide Plus (online TV Guide)
TV IN/OUT
Much more

Spend a little: ATI All In Wonder 8500 DV
Spend More: ATI All In Wonder 9700 Pro (i have this one)
Spend a lot: ATI All In Wonder 9800

ATI is not perfect, but it is good value for an all in one system.

[txpharoah]

3. ATI AIW 9000 ($180)
1. Have to reverse fields after capture
2. Also provides and upgrade to my current video card (64 Ti4200 8X)
3. Comes with Pinnacle Sutdio 8.1
4. Macrovision protection

This "reverse fields" issue only applies with certain cards using certain MMC captures using certain driver combinations. In all cases, it was because of OLD software (new at the time of the guide, but old now). I'm working with LS (author of the ATI guide) to ID those errors, but both my current drivers combo and his are accepting captures direct to DVD with no changes.

I'd go for an ATI ALL IN WONDER RADEON card.

The ATI 9000 cards are better than the one you have now. It'd be an upgrade.

I'd agree ATI isn't perfect, but compared to the other choices out there, it sure looks to be sometimes. The only "better" ones I know of are $500+ cards (Matrox, Canopus, etc).

[spiderman2k1]

I have a dazzle 2 and am very happy with it go to www.dazzlegeek.com to see if your mother board will work with it. I also have a ATI AIW and the dazzle 2 has a better picture and sound.

[indolikaa]

I also have the Dazzle DVC-II but this card can be very finicky. I've included a sample of a typical DVC-II problem. But when this card works, it's outstanding!

Socketed PROM U3 on the card is often part of the problem. Dazzle will tell you to press the PROM into the socket. What you really need to do is reflow solder at all U3 pin locations.

[cplevel42]

Indolikaa Wrote:

The G Block, only 80 calories per serving

Yeah, but 2000 calories if you add Lori Dew for dessert. :P

Oops, sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

[jar5000]

I first went ATI AIW 8500DV. Things were ok for a while and then all hell broke loose. I got tired of the constant tweaking, the so-so captures, and the occasional major dump my computer would take all do to the AIW. Three fresh installs of XP later, I decided to take everybody elses advice and get a Canopus ADVC100. It was the best decision I've made. The combination of the ADVC100 and ScenlyzerLive produces fast, great quality caps from VHS with ZERO dropped frames. I almost do all VHS caps but I occasionaly do a few TV caps thru my VCRs tuner.
If any of your VHS tapes are old or of questionable quality then I would really stay away from ATI AIW. The card seemed to hate any tape with even the smallest amount of degradation.

Do yourself a favor and save up a little more scratch and get a Canopus ADVC100. The box wont encode to MPEG1/2 on the fly( it encodes to DV), but you will be much happier with the results if you cap a tape, and encode it later to MPEG using whatever program you want.

[indolikaa]

I've heard good things about the Canopus also. If it works anywhere as well as the DV passthru on my Sony Digital8, that's something worth investing in!

Do any of the ATI's allow you to 'PVR' from the line inputs. We country folk out here only have satellite television, so a tuner with 125 channels don't do us one bit of good.
('Course we're one of the only ZIP codes in the country where you can still get NY and LA channels legally...)

Yeah, but 2000 calories if you add Lori Dew for dessert.

What, are you saying you would Do the Dew?
(Before anybody goes just a little Mountain Dew humor...)

[txpharoah]

Do any of the ATI's allow you to 'PVR' from the line inputs. We country folk out here only have satellite television, so a tuner with 125 channels don't do us one bit of good.
('Course we're one of the only ZIP codes in the country where you can still get NY and LA channels legally...)

No card accepts satellite. I set my card to CHANNEL 3, then change the receiver. Viola! PVR. The receiver output coax goes to my computer. The RCA goes to my tv.

And you should only get ONE alternate. EITHER LA or NY. NOT both. Hmm...

[thayne]

Yeah, but 2000 calories if you add Lori Dew for dessert.

I think it's Laurie Dhue. I'll climb that Mountain any day

[SatStorm]

I don't believe that capturing direct to DVD is a good idea, expecially from a VHS source. You may save time, but quality suffers. Only if you rise the bitrate you can get good results, but 1.30 Hours per DVD? It is a waste of space for me when you can get 3.30 hours per DVD in perfect quality going the capture to avi - encode to mpeg 2 root. (1/2 D1 of course....)
So, from my point of view, any old good bt808 card with virtualdub is the best solution. And this solution is also Cheap.

The only thing I can say, is that when someone fist start with this hobby, thinks that he can save time by getting a hardware mpeg 2 capture card. Soon or later, he gonna return to the old fashioned avi to mpeg 2 root. Expecially if he convert stuff of his own, which quality counts!

[indolikaa]

The only thing I can say, is that when someone fist start with this hobby, thinks that he can save time by getting a hardware mpeg 2 capture card. Soon or later, he gonna return to the old fashioned avi to mpeg 2 root. Expecially if he convert stuff of his own, which quality counts!

I humbly admit this was me. I am now a VDub/TMPGEnc convert, and my Dazzle is getting less and less use.

But DVD+R will still win the war... :P