DV Converter vs. Realtime MPEG Encoding?

[Jimbo71]

I need help.

I am looking to convert analog 8MM tapes to DVD, and need to know what I should get?
I keep reading about DV converters (Dazzle Hollywood Bridge etc.), and capture cards that encode to MPEG2 in realtime.
My question is, what is the difference? Which way should I go?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Tommyknocker]

The two converters that get most of the praise here are Canopus ADVC-100 and the Datavideo DAC-100. The knockout punch both of them rule with is they take composite, S-video, or DV and output them your computer as DV. The DAC-100 is less expensive, but the ADVC has an audio lock functions which claims to keep audio synch over very long capture periods.

There are several other arguments the help cause the converter debates to flare up now an then, but I think you have the gist. So do your research, and good hunting!

[Kool_Aid]

Real Time, hardware based, full frame, MPEG2 encoders, that will capture something worth Authoring, cost big bucks.

[pixel]

Real Time, hardware based, full frame, MPEG2 encoders, that will capture something worth Authoring, cost big bucks.

Yes, big bucks for the full hardware encoding cards. Although you can buy cheaper cards like ATI that have hybrid encoding (mainly software, but is supported by hardware) but due to the fact this is software encoding you need a very fast CPU, otherwise the captures aren't worth it.

If you don't have at least around 2.5GHz of power, don't get an MPEG2 card.

Get a DV card, this means you can record the DV and edit it then encode, which will always give better results than MPEG2 captures.

[SaSi]

I need help.

I am looking to convert analog 8MM tapes to DVD, and need to know what I should get?
I keep reading about DV converters (Dazzle Hollywood Bridge etc.), and capture cards that encode to MPEG2 in realtime.
My question is, what is the difference? Which way should I go?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Just widening the options, instead of spending lot's of money for a high quality Capture card (which will produce good results), consider getting a versatile DV Camcorder. Some models have analog input with streaming capability through the firewire port. In simpler terms, you can use them as analog video to DV converters for conversion on-the-fly. This feature is not available in the low cost models, but you don't have to get top-of-the-line models to have it as well.

Oh, and by the way, you get a free DV Camcorder .

Certainly a good approach if you are also considering buying a DV Camcorder as well.

[qpskfec]

If you only need to do no or minimal editing, then a set top dvd recorder is a much more convenient way to archive old tapes. It does real time capture and encoding. They are now sub $400, so very competitive with buying a capture device and dvd burner if you don't have one. If you need to edit, you can always copy the vobs to the hard drive and edit/author/burn.

If you want to capture on the PC, you should also look at buying a DV camera with pass-thru instead of a capture card. I prefer having a camera because it can be used elsewhere. (1394 cards are cheap, $20, if you don't have 1394 on the PC) If you get a Digital8 camera, you can even play your old tapes in it.