I need advice...Where should I start?

[sunsethollywood]

I have a NEC DVD+RW drive. I have Nero. I want to start converting Videos to DVD. I know I need a capture card. I would like a TV/VCR card. Any advice on that? And then where do I start?

[Solarjetman]

Well, ATI makes the best TV/capture cards for computers. However, as you learn more, using those analog sources can cause problems. The most common is the audio becomes out of sync with the video. But many people believe if you can handle these errors, you will not get a better looking capture than with these cards.

There are also devices that stand on their own for capture like the Canopus ADVC-100. That is considered one of the best pieces of equipment on this forum. It gives great captures (though it is lossy unlike the analog), and you'll never get audio sync errors with it. But it is expensive.

Start by checking out the "capture cards" section to the left and read the reviews. Learn a little about the different techniques. YOu may think you want a TV tuner card now, but you may find out that another solution is better for your needs.

Then check out the guides section. There are several fantastic step by step guides you can use.

Until you get a little more familiar with the site, Start here to learn the basics and read up a little...
https://www.videohelp.com/articles

[lordsmurf]

I'm partial to ATI cards.

[andkiich]

Me 3 on the ATI cards.

My only other suggestion would be that if you are planning to do a lot of VHS to DVD capture it might be worth your while to look at stand alone DVD recorders.

[Spicuzza]

Motion carries!

Can't go wrong with ATI!

[overloaded_ide]

Video Spicket for windows
Creative Sound blaster 16, ( at least a 16 bit card, ISA)
:P

Well it worked for me, in 95!

OK, really I like my ATI Radeon,
I have the 7500 and it works great, should be cheap if you can find one becuase there are several newer models out now much more expensive.

Do alot of reading before jumping in too deep with hardware. Lots of choices and many people prefer differents ways.

Learn what to do with macrovion if your planning to backup comercail tapes! That can be a pain and require more hardware.

[presto]

I use ATI All In Wonder Radeon 7500. It comes with ATI Multimedia Center for captureing.

I also bought Tmpgenc DVD Author for cutting out bad parts, creating menus, and burning. (I actually use Nero for burning because I always have but Tmpgenc DVD Author's newly added burning feature seems to work fine).

(If you get ATI MMC don't get the very latest patch (8.6). Get 8.5 by following the link to previous versions on the ATI sight). 8.6 caused dropped frames for me and others. )

I love my set up now. I can record movies at awesome quality or get 7 hours of TV on one DVD at what I think is very good quality.

[sunsethollywood]

My main purpose would be to convert vhs to dvd. I am mostly dealing with old concert footage, so I guess I want something that will allow me to clean up the footage. I really don't need the tv card, i guess. Thanks for your help, I hope to hear from more of you!