Analog 2 Dig conv or new digicam??

[csaag]

Looking for opinions/help.

Have lots & lots of analog VHS-C cassettes I want to xfer to DVD.
Previously I was using an AverMedia TV98 capture card & burned to SVCD (via VirtualDub& Tmpgenc) but the quality wasn't good enough & worried about SVCD eventually being forgotten in the future. Now, DVD burners are under a $100 so I plan to get one soon and would now rather burn DVD's. Running Win98 w Athlon 1500+. System works fine with previous burns & DVD2SVCD sessions.

My analog camcorder works great, though its 4-5 years old.
So I was wondering whether to buy a digital camcorder and basically toss the analog camcorder, or keep the camcorder and buy a good A to D converter (probably a Canopus ADVC-100 from reading the reviews).
I also need a new still camera so I'm trying to save some $$$ since I figure a decent digital camera will cost me $300 and a good digicam is $500 at least. I figure I could get the ADVC-100 from $200-$250 (via Ebay used OK with me).

Software recs for the ADVC welcome too.
Thanks & happy turkey day.

[mecg]

I'm guessing you've got plenty of analog video already and you'll probably want to transfer it to DVD at some point. My personal opinion - get the ADVC-100 (or at least the ADVC-1394). Make sure you have a firewire (IEEE-1394) port if you get the -100.

[Beavis]

If you need a new camcorder anyways, remember that many digital camcorders have an analog to digital conversion pass-through. Canon's entry level (ZR) cameras are a good example of even lower-cost cameras that include this feature. That way you can still convert your analog tapes to DV and have a digital camera all with one single purchase.

[vhelp]

Hi csaag,

FWIW... I thought I'd add to this topic on DVD Authoring.

I noticed you stated you are running Windows 98.

I posted a topic, asking the question if there were anybody using just plain
old Windows 98 and burning to DVD (hence, DVD Authoring) under this
OS. My DVD Writer's box stated that it requied a minimum system req'red
was 98SE. I'm running Windows 98 Gold. So, naturally, I can't - if the SW
requires 98SE and higher, then its only natural that the SW will not work.
(I've tried this w/ other SW packages and failed.. so I have to assume that
it won't work if the box for THIS writer states 98SE or higher only)

So, I just want to warn you of this. Looks to me like everybody is either
using 98SE/ME/W2k/XP when doing DVD Authoring.
.
.
So, if you are planning, and don't have higher OS, then expect to add a few
more $$$ to your dudget

-vhelp

[csaag]

Thanks for the replies.
FYI I am planning on upgrading the motherboard & OS to XP - using Win98 restrics me in many other ways. I built my current PC and replaced everything but the hard drive - which explains why I'm still runing Win 98.

[babyboo]

Well...Here is my 2 cents worth...
You mention that you would like to take digital stills as well as digitize your analog VHS-C tapes. While most digital camcorders will allow you to run an analog signal through them and digitize the analog signal (either forcing you to first record it to the tape or preferably passing the signal through it without recording to the tape) the digital stills that many of these units take is just about terrible. Most 1 megapixel still digicams do a much better job at taking stills. You probably won't be satisfied with the quality of the stills that most camcorders take.

As far as tossing your VHS-C unit...I would hang on to it...depending on what you shoot. I do not believe (and this is just my opinion) that there is any digital camcorder under 2 grand that can match the low light sensitivity of the cheapest 250 dollar VHS-C camcorder. If you are like me and shoot a lot of tape around the house, family stuff, the things most folks use camcorders for, you will find that the digital camcorder will not be able to shoot adequately under normal household lighting. My kitchen has a 200 watt halogen light and even with that the results from the 2 minidv cams I purchased, tried and returned couldn't hold a candle (no pun intended) to my 8 year old RCA VHS-C unit. Don't let those low light claims and the various incarnations of nite-shot or night alive make you think otherwise. You will be disappointed. Hey...but like I said...It's just my own 2 cents worth.

Oh...I have digitized most of my VHS-C tapes with an old AIW7500

[csaag]

I know what you mean about the low light. I did pick upa Kodak 6330 3.1 megapixel camera on a good black Friday sale. Great camera for everything except the night mode, where I haven't been able to get 1 good shot yet.