best for capture :?

[jerets]

as far as capturing goes i know adding more memory, a fast cpu, and a better tv-in card will improve encoding/ripping... but what does each one do specificly as far as improving your captures?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) what will more memory do for capturing?

2) what will a fast cpu do for capturing?

3) What will a "better" tv-in card do for capturing?



thanks guys

[jerets]

any1 know?

[Bull]

Okay I don't know this for shoure but I will give it a try:
1. It will probealy make you rip go more smuthly
2. This is I whould gues that you will have less frame drops.
3. It will make you have less pixels and a more sharp picture.

Well this is the best I can give you.

[jerets]

1. It will probealy make you rip go more smuthly

thanks man for your help :))
-but when i add more memory, you said my rip would run more smoothly - so do you mean that i'll be able to get more fps (frames per second)

[Bull]

I guess, not sure tough. But it should make you movie run more smuthly...when it's on 25fps - and over.

[jerets]

smoothly?... what do u mean

[jerets]

I'm pretty sure that a fast cpu will enable you to capture more frames per second (so that your end video has a nice smooth motion)

Can any1 else help w/ my question?

[Nelson37]

My experience - 256 to 512 mb RAM increase - minor improvement in frame droppage, 512 to 1 Gig, not really noticable
CPU from 800 to 1Ghz, significant, 1Ghz to 1.4 similar improvement
Increases came both in fewer dropped frames and better-looking MPG encoding. Processor speed also helped re-encode times. Note that I am using a "hardware-assisted" capture card rather than a true hardware MPG encoder. My type of card uses CPU for MPG encoding, for AVI, CPU is less critical but Hard Drive becomes VERY important.

FAR more significant for quality increase was going to seperate, stand-alone HD for capture, and using Digital Cable for input.

[jerets]

thanks a ton man for your help :)

Oh ok. So i have a 1.4ghz processor and 256mb (133bus) memory w/ ATI RADE all-in-wonder 128 (16mb). I run XP. I have 1 maxtor 40gig 7200rpm and one 80gig WesternDigital 7200rpm.

I think i have a nice setup but i am not sure if my processor (1.4ghz) or my ATI RADE card is holding me back <- im really looking for top quality.

*I can overclock my 1.4ghz AMD if it'll give me noticable better quality frames.

Or should i change my card? If i get a newer card do you think i'll see better quality? If yes, then how so? what will it do extra?

if a newer/better card will get me noticibly better quality then i'd go all out and mayb get the ATI RADEON All-in-wonder 8500dv
http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/01q4/011211/index.html

Any advice?



Thanks guys for your help :))

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*i made a mistake above about 1.1 -> 1.4ghz AMD

[Bstansbury]

I think your system sounds just fine. You should be able to capture whatever you want to. Just make sure your system is tuned and ALL un-necessary software functions are not running.

Have you already tried to do capturing with your card. What were the results. Are you using the software that came with the ATI card, or are you using VirtualDub, TMPgen, etc.

Be aware that there are 100's of opinions on this web site about how to CAPTURE,... it really depends on what you are capturing and what your long term goal is for the Capture. Each of these will give you a different answer.

If you are having problems, check you system for "Tuning". I have posted a guide in the "Users Guides" section of VCDHelp called "How to Tune your system" Check it out,... it may help you.

[HobbieMan]

The following is strictly for capturing video (not editing or post processing):

If you have a video capture card which does the video compression
on hardware, it will NOT require you to have a fast CPU or a whole
lot of fast memory. However, you must have FAST harddrives. The card
will be doing compression of your video, but it will still require a fast
transfer rate of data from the card to the harddrive.

If you have a video capture card which does the video compression
on software, you MUST have a fast CPU and as much fast memory as you
can afford. The CPU allows the compression software to run its
algorithms faster (therefore compressing faster), the vast amounts of
memory allow the processor to NOT have to swap to the harddrive as
often. Again, you must have FAST harddrives with this setup.

For post processing/editing/conversion of your video files (regardless of
how you captured them) you should again have a FAST CPU, FAST harddrives and lots of fast memory.

So, if you can afford it, buy the best CPU, harddrives and high amount
of FAST RAM you can afford. This way, you will be prepared to use either
type of video capture card (hw or sw compressing), and you will have a
good system for video editing.

[jerets]

thanks a ton guys this really helps :)!!!

Bstansbury - thanks a ton. I love your guide! ive been using it.

HobbieMan - thanks for the extra tips. I'm going to add in some more memory for sure