Hi , I am new to the forums. I need some good advise on what type of equipment/software to get.

I have a PC running Windows XP with an AMD 2.8 Ghz processor. I have a 120 Gig and a 60 gig hard drive. and 512 megs of ddr 3200 ram

I have an older analog Hi-8 camcorder with somes tapes that I edited about 6 years ago on my old Commodore Amiga-2000. I want to be able to capture those tapes on my PC as well as capture some photos to edit and make a video for my mother's upcomng 80th birthday, I will probably output t to VHS for her but want t get a DVD burner and burn it to DVD for myself and other family members.

I had been looking at the Pinnacle Moviebox AV/DV deluxe with their 9.0 software and Hollywood FX and it has a capture card with firewire and a breakout box so I can input the analog and output to VHS analog. I have been hearing some not good things including from these forums about their products and support.

I'd like some advice as to what I can get that is relaible and will give me good quality video and all of the transissions,effects, titles and music that I would like to add to this and any other videos that I'd like to edit and produce. I can't really spend a lot of money on this at this point. I saw a review of the ATI All-in Wonder 9800 Pro card and this seems like it could do the job and also has a breakout box. I am not really into gaming so I don't need it for that. So I would really appreciate any and all feed back and suggestions as to hardware and software. Any advise on DVD burners would also be appreciated.

I also saw a review in the Jluy 2004 issue of Camcorder & Computer Video Magazine for Canopus's ACEDVio capture card and Let's Edit RT+ Software, the card with the RT+allows analog video in and out. The program seems good but has some limitations such as only being able to work with .wav music not .mp3 files. I have a lot of .mp3 music and also want to take music from cd's to incorporate in my edited video They have a package with the same card and Adobe Premier pro, Encore and Audition for $599.00. I know that Adobe has many more features but is probably harder to learn. I would LOVE any feed back as soon as possible so I can make my decision.

Thank you very much in advance.

Bruce