Video Capture Cards

[RM01]

I only want to capture VHS tapes on my PC and then encode then copy to Video CD to save storage space.

Which Video Capture Card should I get to do this?

The amount of video I want to capture is 240 mins, is it possible to span this across 3 to 4 80 min CDR disks?

System Info

Packard Bell Club 550
550 MHz
AMD-K6-2 with 3D Now
64MB RAM incl. 4MB Shared Video Memory
15 GB UDMA Hard Disk
Miami motherboard
Windows 98 SE
SiS 530 Graphics Card

Thanks, Ross Mitchell

[Anonymous65]

Your system is a bit limited, so I would suggest capturing VHS at 352x240 (352x480 and use vertical reduction in Vdub). Your system will not be able to capture anything bigger than this. Also, with only a 15 gig hard drive, you will have to compress the video quite a bit.

I would suggest you get a hardware encoder. For VCD creation, get the PV231 (needs PCI slot). It should work perfectly on your system, and can capture 4 hours without getting into the 4 gig limit. Cineplayer Editor and MyFlix can cut the file into 80 minute chunks.

The other option is to get WinTV or ATI Wonder VE, which both needs a PCI slot. However, your CPU and hard drive is a limiting factor.

[RM01]

Thanks for the info skittelsen, can you buy this PV231 video capture card in England, should I capture in NTSC or PAL as PAL is what we use in England.

I also have a Dansai 1010 DVD player, what make of CDR would work with this.

Would the Snazzi 1 video capture card work with my PC, I have a DVD which I want to record 1 hour of footage from, could PV231/PV233 or Snazzi 1 be able to copy DVD.

Can I buy any of these video capture cards from England or USA.

Thanks, Ross Mitchell 8)

[mh2360]

just a friendly suggestion... but upgrading your RAM and graphics card will make a WORLD of difference to your system.....

[RM01]

I have been wanting to upgrade my RAM for 2 years now but I dont know how much to buy for desent video capture.

Same goes for a new graphics card as well.

[mh2360]

You can pick up a Geforce 2 quite cheaply now, as for RAM, the simple rule is.. you can never have too much!

[marcusaxavier]

I actually have a system similar to your's (but it's 450 MHz and 192MB of ram) and got the 32MB ATI AIW PCI. It cost me about 200 (American Dollars). I know it captures NTSC, but I believe it also does PAL. Just make sure that the video card you are getting is PCI and not AGP, otherwise it will not fit.

[blownonfuel]

Hello.I am trying to do the same as RM01 is.My old computer fried so i'm looking to have a new one built.Can anyone suggest what i should have,P4,ddram,? gig h.d.,capture card,etc.I too was limited on my old comp. and did not get very good results when using creative's analog to digital bridge. I have lots of vhs tapes to convert and just want to keep the same picture quality.Thanks for the help.