Thinking of getting a new capture card, need help!!!

[funkydude74]

Hi all. I've been trying to put an old rock concert to DVD but having a number of problems. Whilst I fixed the frame droppage problem using huffyuv codec, the other problem I'm facing is hard drive space which I have to record only 10 minutes at a time and convert to mpeg which lead to another problem. Once I done 10 minute segments converted them to mpeg, when I joined them to convert to one file, at the joins the sound cuts off for a few milliseconds which is very noticeable and ruins everything. I'm assuming it's because the sound is very very slightly offsync as when I tried re recording the bits and overlaying the joins I get an echo effect. This is really stressing me as I've got buckleys chance of ever putting full 30-60 minute shows of 1-2 hour concerts to DVD!!!

So I've got 2 options, get a Firewire card that records straight to mpeg without dropping frames or get a bigger hard drive. The main problem associated with these is cost as I've got financial problems at the moment. However I'm gonna have to go for one of those options.

Now I'm first thinking of getting a Firewire card that records straight to mpeg. However I want a reliable one that can handle old videos/recordings of pre-VHS format and can handle poorly sync videos that skew or roll without putting that STUPID fat white bar through the picture, and I want the audio to be in sync with the video because it is so annoying recording a video on and find out on playback that the audio is out of sync with the video. Anyways does anyone know of a good Firewire capture card that meets my requirements that is for a reasonable price?

My other option which I'm eventually gonna go for is getting myself another hard drive which is above 100GB.

Anyways if anyone can help me I'd most appreciate it.

Cheers
Troy

[bottle-necked]

If you're happy with the quality you are getting now then I would go for the HDD. That you can always use.

Good luck.

[DarkHate]

You can get a 160gb maxtor for $139.00 with a mail in rebate for $30 at STAPLES

[MrMungus]

Personally, I'd save my money and get a Firewire capture device. It makes *everything* easier.

[proxyx99]

Get the HD first and USB2 or FW external capture device like ADS Instant DVD2 or similar. HD is cheaper so that should be your first purchase. If you have no space to process the video then talking about capture etc. makes little sense.

[D_Knife]

Well looking at the prices of disks on umart.com.au (NSW shop)
you could get a 120GB for around $150
this should be your first call

second

get a Firewire card that records straight to mpeg

Firewire cards are DV not mpeg - although as proxyx99 suggested an external MPEG 2 device is a good choice however with the prices here in Aus your better off getting a Canopus DVC-50 or similar and software encode

I went down the MPEG 2 encoding path and it was ok - but not as easy as I wanted
DV is better and software encode

[bottle-necked]

Not really shopping for drives but today in Circuit City I bought (2) WD 160G JBs for $79.99 each after $80.00(X2) mail in rebates. I know you don't have C-City in Australia, but I couldn't pass up that deal.

Good luck.

[rcb]

bottleneck -

you done good, son... heckuva deal.