All these capture/video cards.. can't make sense of it...

[pwygant]

All these video cards and capture cards are going to give me grey hairs. I can't make sense of it coupled with the fact that you always want the best for your money.

My setup:
Dell P4 1.4ghz,
512 RDRAM
Nvidia Geforce 2 32mb
40 g HD 7200 rpm
Canon ZR40 cam

All I want to di is to be able to capture the video from my DV cam to the computer and make home movies. I could go and get the pinnacle studio DV card for $70 bucks or for example the ATI AIW 8500 DV for $250. What is the difference and do I really get more for my money w/ the AIW? I understand that it has better video for gaming but I am OK w/ my Nvidia.

Also, all you do is capture with the card correct? Does it matter if you use a Pinnacle card with for example Adobe premiere?

These are questions a newbie run into? HELP!

[Craig Tucker]

If all you want to do is transfer video from your DV cam to your PC you dont need a capture card.

What you want is a firewire IEEE 1394 card, which only cost about £20.

The card (AIW) you are talking about is for capturing an analogue signal, either from a TV or VHS or an analogue camcorder, as well as DV. You dont need to capture analogue, all you need to do is transfer your digital video.

Craig

[pwygant]

Thanks for getting back to me. So actually what I am then paying for if I buy the Pinnacle studio DV is mostly the software?

Where can I buy a regular simple firewire card and are they then compatible w/ all software ?

[Craig Tucker]

Any good pc store or online, and you will find that even the cheapest card comes bundled with some software. Mine came with ulead video studio, which is good software, but you should find that it will work with most capture software. One thing to note is that your card is OHCI compliant which nearly all are.

Craig

[pwygant]

so a card like this would work for $22 dollars at www.newegg.com?

http://www.koutech.com/kw582V2.htm

[Craig Tucker]

You want to check that it is OHCI compliant which most are. If that is the case then yes that will do you fine.

Just one other thing, if you are thinking of upgrading your sound card in the near future, creatives audigy range come with a built in firewire port.

I think they start at about £50

Craig