Best Capture Device

[gvamp]

Hello all I've decided it's time I invest in a capture device to back up my VHS tapes onto DVD. Seeings how I'm new to this I'd like to get the best capture card/device in $150 range.

I'd also maybe like to be able to capture TV shows as well on the computer.

So thanks for your help.

EDIT:
Forgot to post my specs if that matters any way

Athlon 64 3400+
1024 DDR PC3200 RAM
Radeon 9600xt Card
250 GB HDD
Lite-on 8x DVD +-R/RW
16x Generic DVD ROM
Sound Blaster Live Audigy 2 ZS

[steveryan]

If you could stretch your budget by another $50 you could get one of the cheaper Canopus devices or the Data Video DAC-100. Read up here https://www.videohelp.com/capturecards

[gvamp]

Well I'll wait for more suggestions and then maybe next week I'll pick up one you suggested.

EDIT: Is this what I want http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21166&item=3842242679&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[spummerr]

I'm in the same boat, decided to get a dvd recorder at Walmart for $149. It has firewire connection to.
Easy to copy tapes and it works great www.walmart.com



quote="gvamp"]Hello all I've decided it's time I invest in a capture device to back up my VHS tapes onto DVD. Seeings how I'm new to this I'd like to get the best capture card/device in $150 range.

I'd also maybe like to be able to capture TV shows as well on the computer.

So thanks for your help.

EDIT:
Forgot to post my specs if that matters any way

Athlon 64 3400+
1024 DDR PC3200 RAM
Radeon 9600xt Card
250 GB HDD
Lite-on 8x DVD +-R/RW
16x Generic DVD ROM
Sound Blaster Live Audigy 2 ZS[/quote]

[gvamp]

Was it this model here iLO DVD Recorder With +R/RW Capability

[thecoalman]

One thing to remember about DVD recorders, they record in mpeg format which is not as suitable for editing.

I just recently purchased a ADVC 110 which is similar to the one your looking at. If it works as good which it's supposed too I would reccomend getting it. There very easy to use and eliminate many of the problems associated with other capture cards.

[SatStorm]

Very Fast Convertion, good quality, about 1.30 min per DVD = Get a standalone DVD Recorder

Fast Convertion, very good quality, about 2.30 min per DVD = Get mainconcept 1.4.2, womble's mpeg2vcr, TMPGenc Authror (or DVD Lab) and for capture card, well all are good for this! Sligthy difference between the most cheap one (bt8xx based) to the most expensive one (Matrox). For VHS captures that is...

Typical convertion, good quality, about 3.30 hours per DVD:
A good capture card (nvidia, ati, philips, latest conexant), freeware capture tools like virtualvcr or virtualdub, Huffyuv or PicVideo codec for capturing to avi, editing and filtering with virtualdub or avisynth, encoding with TMPGenc or CCE Basic, Authoring with TMPGenc author or dvd lab.

Best possible quality, about 3.30 - 4.00 hours per DVD-R: Canopus (or canopus like) Analogue to DV converters, Virtualdub / virtualvcr for capturing, Virtualdub for editing, Virtualdub / avisynth for filtering, Canopus Procoder or CCE or TMPGenc plus for encoding, TMPGenc author of DVD lab for authoring.

Of course, there are other alternatives too.

[mats.hogberg]

Hauppage PVR250. Been living with it for some months now, and don't regret it. Captures directly to any kind of mpg, ready to author. Unwanted bits can easily be cut out with Womble mpeg vcr.
Takes zero system resources.

/Mats

[yoda313]

Hauppage PVR250. Been living with it for some months now, and don't regret it. Captures directly to any kind of mpg, ready to author. Unwanted bits can easily be cut out with Womble mpeg vcr.
Takes zero system resources.

/Mats

Hello,

DITTO! Excellent card. Straight forward and perfect for quick dvd creation.

Kevin

--I've used it for maybe two years now with no complaints--

[lordsmurf]

If you just want MPEG2, Hauppauge PVRs.
If you just want DV AVI, Canopus ADVC.
If you want both AVI and MPEG, ATI All In Wonder.
If you don't want a computer, JVC DVD recorder.

None of these devices are perfect, but they're the best ones.

[mats.hogberg]

VHS tapes onto DVD.

...makes me blieve mpeg2 will be the optimal capture format...

/Mats

[snafu099]

My vote goes to Compro usb VideoMate Live capture card
tv tuner
pvr software
analog in
$150 price range at newegg.com

hardware encoding
excellent results