Newbie- Best Solution for Hi8 to computer to VHS/VCD?

[CMP1223]

I am new to Editing and need some help! I have a Sony Hi8 camcorder and would like to edit it on my computer. I would them like to output it on VCD and/or VHS. I have been browsing review sites, but have found no clear winner. I am looking for a capture card, preferably a total package with Adobe 6. I have a Dell 800mHz w/ XP. What options are there for analog user who want to create high quality VCDs or VHSs? If i buy software seperatly, what stand alone capture cards (with output ability) are the best? How much is a good card? I am looking for a solution under $750. I want to get into editing and produce quality videos. Thanks for any information you have-

-Chrispy

[CMP1223]

Does anyone one know the best way to go from Hi8 to computer to VHS/VCD?

Thanks so much

Chris

[Rich927]

Look at Pinnacle Delux. It is a Firewire card which also has an analog/svideo capture breakout box. Comes with Studio 7 software. price is $299.00. Augment it with Tempeng and Virtualdub. If you can, add more memory and a good second hard drive. This is my suggestion.

[vhelp]

chrispy/cmp1223,

Here's some more recommends. . .

* get PLENTY of RAM for your video editing endeavers.
cause the more you have, the less time seeking/searching your hd
hence, less ware on it/them.
* windows 2000 / XP (i don't have, but breaks the 4gig aiv size limit)
* as fast a cpu as you can afford. (your current one Dell 800Mhz)
you'll want to upgrade - you'll see
* AMD XP xxxx+ support the XP OS and may be faster or more efficient
in this enviornment.
* do plenty of reading

* Pinnacle Delux
* Hollywood DV Bridge (analog and --> firewire)
* Pyro basic DV
* many others out there

I currently have in my system the * Pyro basicDV $49 from circcity*
* comes w/ firewire card, cable, software (video studio/myDVD, trials)
* requirements are: win 98/SE/2000

I'm still beta testing all this DV stuff, so i'm not totally sold on it
but asside from the color space issue, its ben pretty good, but i'm
mostly using my atw card (hood up to my DV cam) and cap from it and use
it as mini TIVO.

-vhelp

[CMP1223]

Thanks for the responses. Pinnacle Deluxe looks good, but I read that it doesn't work on many setups. Pyro BasicDV is cheap, but I am really looking for an Hi8 solution. Haven't checked out the DV Bridge. Does anyone have any experience with using Hi8 with Studio Deluxe?

Any other Hi8 options?

Thanks-

Chris

[xiaNaix]

Thanks for the responses. Pinnacle Deluxe looks good, but I read that it doesn't work on many setups. Pyro BasicDV is cheap, but I am really looking for an Hi8 solution. Haven't checked out the DV Bridge. Does anyone have any experience with using Hi8 with Studio Deluxe?

Any other Hi8 options?

Thanks-

Chris

I'm currently running the Studio Deluxe on a Dell Pentium III 600mhz with no problems. Where you'll likely run into snags is with WinXP. If you go with any of the Pinnacle stuff, I recommend a re-format and fresh XP install. Believe me, you'll have nothing but trouble otherwise.

It's also important to point out that the Deluxe captures DV AVI format at 720x480 with 48000khz sound ONLY. You cannot change these parameters. Also, none of the third-party capture software will recognize the card. You're forced to use Studio 7 for capturing.

I'd recommend checking out Vegas Video for editing. The Pinnacle Studio 7 software is nice for beginners but you'll outgrow it pretty quickly. Premiere is nice and all but the learning curve is pretty steep. I've got just about every video app under the sun and I still prefer Vegas. Plus, the MPEG2 encoder in it pretty good.

[mickboss]

CMP:

- Use a MIRO PCTV PRO or similar with S-VIDEO IN
- USE VIRTUALDUB to capture (in capture change from Overlay to Preview)
- In virtualdub use PICVIDEO´s M-JPEG CODEC (you have to download it) to compress video (use uncompressed audio)
- YOUR PC IS MORE THAN ENOUGH to DO IT

- CAPTURE in 352x288 (if PAL) with very good quality and then use TMPGEnc or Cinemacraft to convert to VCD / SVCD

(more details search some forum here in VCDHelp where I already explained how to do that stuff) 8)

[CMP1223]

xiaNaix- How does the "Smart Capture" function work? I don't have a large Harddrive, so this looks like a good option for me. Does it work? Also does the 720x480 capture go for analog capture too?
PCTV Pro looks good, but I don't need a TV (It's so cheap on eBay I guess it doesn't matter) Mickboss, you talk about a conversion to MJPEG, I thought this format couldn't be edited (Premiere, Ulead)? Are they any card like Studio Deluxe, with analog and digital input and output, that do not come with software so I can Buy it myself?

Thanks alot-

Chris

[CMP1223]

I just did some more research, and am just more confused. I decided against the Studio Deluxe. It uses a non-standard analog capture, and I can't deal with it's 200+MB/min with my harddrive. I need an input and output device, so the PCTV pro is out. If anybody knows of a capture card with the following, I would really Like to know!!!
Analog input/output breakoutbox with universal capture card that I could capture DVD quality video (70MB/min). (Preferably with a Firewire port if I ever got a DV camera) If the card is universal, I could try to find a 3rd party capture software. Anybody know of a sub $500 card/box set like this w/ no software?

[CMP1223]

What about the Dazzle DVC II and VirtualDub, will this work? Is it a good product?

Thanks again

Chris

[TechJunkie]

CMP1223:

You and I are going down the same road, but I may be just a little less "newbie" than you.

Bought the Dazzle Hollywood DV-Bridge and returned it. Why? Dropped frames AND I discovered that I could apply the $250 spent on this A to D and D to A "appliance" to a Sony miniDV videocam that has the Analog to Digital function built in! I purchased the Pinnacle Studio 7 as my software engine.

This is how it works: my Sony Hi8 TR81 camcorder is plugged into the Sony miniDV camcorder which in turn is connected via Firewire to my computer. Studio 7 writes my DV file in .avi format.

First observations: when I had the Dazzle, the DV encoded .avi files were a bit richer in color than the ones converted by the Sony camcorder. The difference, my wife and I judged, was not worth having a dedicated appliance around that would become obsolete down the road.

Second observation: I cut out about 30 minutes of unwanted Hi8 video to make a new 55 minute .avi file. The video and sound slowly went out of synch by about .5 seconds at the end of the 55 minutes. If anyone has any ideas about this...

There you have it: hope it helps.