Need help setting up new system

[mousey]

I have read so much about the Canopus ADVC 100 and am tempted to buy it. No one has mentioned anything about capturing MiniDV (from Sony camcorder for instance) into harddrive and then editing it using the Abdobe Premiere 6.
So is the Canopus able to capture MiniDV? Or does it go directly into the hard-drive via iLink? Do I need a video capture card for that?
Or rather, do I still need a video capture card if I already have the Canopus?

Would really appreciate it if someone out there can help give me some good suggestions:

1) I want to buy (build) a completely new system for capturing of mostly MiniDVs & VHS into hard-drive then edit them (I have 2 years experience as a video editor) and finally output to either VCD or DVD. I will also do a lot of pictures slideshow with lots of effects and text.

2) How much RAM, CPU speed, disk space, what video capture card, what video card/audio card, and whatever info. do I need to do the kind of thing I want to do without any problems?

By the way, I am writing from Malaysia. We are using PAL system.

Again by the way, I cannot get into Lordsmurf's site. Each time I try to open his site, the Explorer hangs. Does anyone have a problem like that?

Thank you in advance if you reply . But be aware that I'm not too knowledgable in this (Im a newbie) so please be very specific when answering.

[FT Shark]

You will need a capture card if you want to transfer your VHS to disk.

You don't need a capture card if you will be transferring your DV from you camera to your PC via iLink (firewire). It will just transfer the digital information.

[Craig Tucker]

If you want to transfer minidv all you need for that is a firewire card, very cheap less than £20 here. The canopus is basically an Analogue to digital converter, so it will convert analogue signals eg vhs tape to a digital signal which can be fed into your pc via firewire, this does away with the need for an analogue capture card. If you are lucky you may find that your camcorder has an a-d passthrough feature. If this is the case all you need is a firewire and you can use your camcorder for analogue captures rather than the canopus.

[holistic]

Thank you in advance if you reply . But be aware that I'm not too knowledgable in this (Im a newbie) so please be very specific when answering.

Reading ALL guides applicable to your needs will enlighten you. And you are welcome.

I cannot get into Lordsmurf's site.

Yes I had similar issues. Must be the scripts?! smurfy ?! . My IE security settings are turned "up". Try a different browser. I use mozilla to view smurfies site.
www.mozilla.org

By the way, I am writing from Malaysia. We are using PAL system.

Not relevent to your immediate needs. But thanks for info.

How much RAM, CPU speed, disk space, what video capture card, what video card/audio card, and whatever info. do I need to do the kind of thing I want to do without any problems?

A simple question with complex answers. (see my profile) I get by with an old socket1 motherboard / 384Mb RAM / 2*30Gb drives (and recently a 120Gb drive) Anything better than that is a bonus.

A good quality motherboard is the key. Intel/AMD doesn't matter. From my experience ,Intel can handle the rigors of overclocking. AMD will overclock but you must watch the temps. If you are not overclocking go AMD - better value for your dollar.
For DV video a big harddrive is a necessity. DV comes in at 13 Gb/hour (you do the math)
512Mb RAM is sufficent.
For DV camera all you need is firewire. *note* some motherboards now come with this built in.
If your camera has A/D capabilites then you can run the VHS through it. IF NOT then you will need (as you observed) either the AVDC-100 or an analog/(MPEG2) capture card.


refer : www.motherboards.org for motherboard reviews

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[mousey]

Thank you all for your replies. I now know what to do. I havent bought a MiniDV camcorder yet, so I guess I should buy one with a-d feature.

[vhelp]

Hi mousey,

I don't know, but there's just too much to tell you. There's really no true
perfect system, only what you make, and add to w/ your experience and
skill's.

The only way, is the do way. Start by acquiring the necessary hardware
and guides and being reading till you get bored. Then, try and do some
of the steps you've read

Yeah, I know.. everyone talks a lot about this and that, and sounds pretty
easy, but its actually not. For a beginner, that is

About the easiest way to accomplish w/ minimal fuss, is to just get a hardware
mpeg card ie, PVR-250 and follow the guides on it. Then, when you feel
you're ready for more hard-core stuff, some more reading is necessary, but
you can decide if you want to go further.

I would start w/ something easy, like the PVR-250 by Hauppauge.
I agree too. loresmurf's site hangs on my end here too. So, his site is not
worth the agrevation. Just search this FORUM for guides w/ the PVR-250
and start w/ that.. when you get it that is. If you get it.

I'm sorry, but there is just too much to go into here. You gotta first get all
the items..

* VCR w/ S-Video (in/out) (if you want as high quality possible)
* TBC (more for advance users) ($250 plus)
* fast enough pc, w/ 512ram is fine
* firwire card (if you go that route)
* analog capture card, (if you go that route) ie, PVR-250
* DV devices ie, ADVC-100 (requires DV codec) (app, ie dvio)
* 80gig hd or bigger,
* CDR/W or DVDR/RW
* windows 98 (fat32 = 4gig limit) or higher ie w2k/xp NTSF (no size limits)
* software for analog capturing (ie, avi_io or vdub)
* editors etc.
* codecs for capturing and/or editing
* encoders ie, TMPGEnc
* authoring app

so much more to add here. Plus, lots of time for those many trial and error
processes.

Well, hope that helps
-vhelp 2063

[mousey]

Thanks vhelp. But really , I was hoping someone can tell me what type of a system to buy (full spec). One thing for sure, I'm buying the Sony TRVC22. Is the TRV33 any better? Thanks vhelp for the extensive post on that particular model. I didn't know I could connect my vhs player to the dv cam and xfer via firewire.

So is it helpful to have a video capture card even if I dont really use it? What's a good video graphic card? Since I'll be doing a lot of editing...