Dilema....

[gpwake]

If you had the choice would you?
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A) Upgrade current computer to:

P4 2.6C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology
512MB DDR PC-3200 (400MHz Memory)
Video Capture Card...A good one, but not over like $200.00

B) A DVD Recorder
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Just want your opinions...If you choose "A" also tell me which capture card you would buy.

Thanks!

[Treebeard]

IMO... the burner.

[pbanders]

For (A), I wouldn't buy a capture card - I'd buy an analog-DV converter, like the Canopus ADVC-100 (~$250) or an ADS Pyro A/V Link (~$150, what I have). I've tried various cards and MPEG-2/USB 2.0 solutions, and they are inferior in easy-of-use and quality to the analog-DV encoders.

These devices allow you to connect any analog source and output a DV stream to your PC's 1394 port. All the NLE's on the market accept DV input, so you can use whatever NLE you like. They also lock the A/V stream, so you never get desynchronization. And dropped frames is rarely a problem, certainly not with the system you describe.

[gpwake]

For (A), I wouldn't buy a capture card - I'd buy an analog-DV converter, like the Canopus ADVC-100 (~$250) or an ADS Pyro A/V Link (~$150, what I have). I've tried various cards and MPEG-2/USB 2.0 solutions, and they are inferior in easy-of-use and quality to the analog-DV encoders.

The ADVC100 is actually what i am kind of leaning towards. Alot of people around here seem to think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. LOL

[rcb]

Yep, the ADVC-100 is fine.

But - lookin at your current equipment, you may want to look at an additional/bigger HDD. Capture rate for DV will be around 13 gig/hr with the 100.