Would This Upgrade Do What I Want to Do?

[rkr1958]

Here's what I want to do: I want to be able to record /capture TV programs on my computer, MPEG-2 (DVD-Quality) and MPEG-1 (VCD-Quality) and turn them into DVDs or VCDs.

Here's what I need: I need a TV Turner / Capture Card and Software.

Here's What I'm Initially Looking at (For lack of anything else better that I know about): Aver TV Tuner Stereo (PCI Card)http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=448344&Sku=...4010&CatId=315

Here's What I have: 733-MHz PIII, 512 PC 133-MHz RAM, 60GB + 45 GB + 120 GB Harddrives, 3D Prophet II MX APG 4x Video Card, DVD-ROM and Sony DRU-500a DVD+/-RW.

Here's What I'm Would Have to do: Remove PCI Modem (all five of my PCI slots are full). Split my cable just before the cable modem and connect the two splits to the Cable Modem and PCI TV tuner card.

Here's What I'm Concerned About: Will this work with my computer configuration (which I know is getting old)? Will I be able to capture in MPEG-2 without dropping significiant number of frames (min spec on the PCI card for MPEG-2 says 800-MHz PIII and I have a 733-MHz PIII)? Any other suggestion(s) for possible (ecnomical) upgrade to accomplish what I want to do?

Sorry for the long post and thanks to anyone who takes the time to read it and, epecially to anyone whos responds.

[andkiich]

Just my 2 cents:

I built a second machine just for capturing/encoding. If the minimums say 800Mhz and you're below that, then I would expect that you will probably be able to get away with half D1 resolutions on your MPEG2 captures with little to no frame loss, and probably a lot to unacceptable in full D1. Your HDD situation seems to be OK, as long as the drives are fast(7200rpm) and they are kept defragged.

I'd say go for a motherboard/CPU/RAM upgrade. I like the AMD chipsets myself an they seem to do well for me. Check the profile for my currrent machine.

Other things that might go a long way are optimizing your machine for capturing as well. In the capture section of the forum, there is a sticky that can give you some good suggestions.

[Bob W]

The Aver card will work fine for capturing and I think even your CPU is fast enough. The thing is I spent a lot of time capturing old VHS movies to convert them to DVDR with fair results (I thought it was good results at the time). Anyway I finally just gave up and bought a Panasonic E50 DVD recorder which gets the job done in one third the time and IMO the end DVD-R quality looks better than the source VHS tape.

In my case I have over 500 VHS tape to possibly convert to DVDR so doing it as a computer capture is out of the question given the time involved.

[spiderman2k1]

I have a Dazzle 2 that very good run fine on my P2 400 go to www.dazzlegeek.com some people have mother board that do not work with this card most of the time is a AMD mothe board but I also have a AMD 1.8XP and a Dazzle 2 no problem's http://www.shopharmony.com/ has the best price for the Dazzle two if you want to do VHS ATI AIW is better. for Laser Disc Satellite TV Dazzle 2 is better

Note some VCD that are made with Dazzle 2 do not work on some pick DVD player's