Is this a good capture card?

[winghd]

I'm thinking about buying a capture card. Is the STUDIO DV V.7 PROFESSIONAL any good? I'm a newbie when it comes to capture cards so just wanted some opinions. It says there are no authoring tools included. So does that mean I can edit and create special effects with the bundled software but I can't convert the format into mpegs for creating a svcd? Thanks for any advice.......

[dezine]

Pinnacle is a good way to go for a starter capture card.

"So does that mean I can edit and create special effects with the bundled software but I can't convert the format into mpegs for creating a svcd?"

What this means is that you get editing software to capure and edit your video and not software for burning your DVD information. Yes you can make MPEG's with this software but you will need a program like DVDit, Nero or Ulead DVD workshop to write the DVD files and folders for you.

You might also want to look at the Canopus ADVC 1394 Firewire card as it just came out with good reviews and is reasonably priced as well. It comes with a basic version of Video Vegas to do your editing work in but also no DVD authoring software. The most important thing will be your Firewire Card as you can always find good alternative ways to make and burn your DVD's with.
Just make sure that you computer exceeds the minimum requirements to run the card and programs. I say exceeds because if you are running on the minimum system requirements, then you will be waiting a long while to do your video work as well as not getting teh best video captures.
Speed and power is everything when you are doing resource dependant video work.

I hope this helps,
Dezine (Michael) 8)

[cocomojoe]

Hi Winghd,

I am just like you, starting off fresh in video capture and editing. Last night I spent hours pouring over pages at this site... that may help newcomers like us decide on a card. Look to the navigation bar to the left: See "Capture Cards"? Click on it and then click on the "top user rated" button. This will give you the comments by members and their ratings of many types of cards, listed from highest rated cards to the lowest rated. After studying it over and searching the web I choose the Visiontek Xtasy Cinema Everything card. It has "everything" I want.

...Check out the Capture Cards pages to help you out!

[coops75]

My experience with this card was a nightmare and so it was with lots of other people if the Pinnacle forum is anything to go by. Studio is a good program but I had lots of problems capturing analog via the breakout box even with the patch. When it would not crash and finally did capture audio, it was always out of synch. How did I solve the problem?
I already had studio 7 which came with a firewire card. I sugestyou think about getting this ($99) and going to the canopus site and checking out the advc100 and advc50. These cards will convert analog to digital via s-video or component, send it to your firewire card and then studio, Premiere or whatever can capture. I got the 50 ($199) and love it. The advc100 ($299) has an out to vcr. Never had a problem capturing and no synch problems. Best thing I ever did.

[dezine]

The ADVC 100 is an excellent choice if you already have a Firewire Card as the ADVC100 is an external breakout box that basically enables you to capture or export DV or AV video.
If you already have a firewire card then this is a great option as Canopus uses an audio lock feature that enables you to capture video without audio sync issues, no matter how long your capture is as well as letting you capture video to multiple drives.
The ADVC50 is an internal AV Capture card that will let you capture AV only, but if you have a firewire card already than this is a great AV capture option as well that isn't as expensive as the ADVC100 and had audio lock as well.

Hope this helps,
Dezine (Michael)