General Discussion: Some good investments for Video Authoring/Hardware

[Krelmaneck]

As some of you already know, i like to to deal with outdated technologies. And I was thinking in making some future purchases related to these old technologies (6 months-2 years).

One of these technologies include a good CAPTURE CARD for the old technology of VHS. A lot of my parents shot home videos are on VHS (transferred from 8 mm). 8 mm tape is outdated as most videocams are digital and just hook up to your computer or just stick in a memory stick for the still cameras with the option of making video. Now, you will most likely say, DO NOT PURCHASE a capture card with composite video. Well, I would like to get one that has all 3 COMPOSITES(or component) and digital capture.

Im not paying $1500 for a card. I might pay up to $300-400

I have seen the Pinnacle card that comes with the Pinnacle Studio with Breakout Box. I would not want it for the software, but just the card. Any ratings on this card on a scale of 1-10?

I have also seen DVD Raptor re-sells on ebay. Any ratings for this? Does it have composite?

Canopus has one for about $275-300 which is an OCHI pci card with Y-balance so that audio does not fall behind. No, I am not talking about the exterior devices such as twinpact. I am talking about Internal capture cards.


Is k-world crap?


Opinions on that? PS--I read somewhere --who knows where--that someone recommended not to capture straight to mpeg such as by using MPEGator card. Instead capture to an AVI.


2nd purchase in the future--TVtuner INTERNAL.

I have seen quite a few bestsellers. So what is your opnion on

ATI products that is a tuner/capture/graphic card all in one? ATI has one that comes with a remote. What about independent ATI products that are JUST tuners/capture cards?


Wintv (internal). This one is pretty popular. Any opnions?


Again, I know having a capture card AND a tuner sounds STUPID since most tuners have capture cards on them. True. But I heard they may not be that great.


Lastly, what is some good software for multiplexing. Yes, I am using BBMPEG (personal reasons--income related) and someday may purchase a good multiplexor.

So far I know of:

TMPGenc (known Tsuami for like 10 years). But I would maybe just want to use it is a Multiplexor and use something else for Authoring. Opnions on this multiplexor?


MUXMAN--I have heard good reviews about this muxer. With only maybe 2 bad reviews. I was thinking about purchasing the PRO version someday. But is this better than Tsunami's? Or does Tsunami seem to do better in multiplexing than Muxman?


Encoders.

I have encoding software. I use QuEnc/canopus express. Now, I KNOW that I will most likely never purchase the overpriced CinemaCraft SP. But I do have a question. Now, there is a cinemacraft that comes with a CARD and is beyond a lot of peoples budget--what is its purpose? Does it encode on the fly to your computer as it captures? I was just wondering.

[edDV]

If you want the good old way to capture VHS, find an ATI All-In-Wonder 9xxx card. Lordsurf's site has all the info.

[Nelson37]

Personally, I think that direct to MPG with an ATI AIW card is about as good as it gets for capping most anything intended for standard definition. Lots of capability there. They take a bit of fine-tuning to get just right.

Component is NOT "three composites", it is Component. Completely different, and not relevant to VHS capture.

Tried a Hauppage card to compare it against. Installed it, used it for a while, then took it out and put the ATI back in. Gave me a totally new appreciation for ATI's software, which many, many complain about. Light years ahead of Hauppages package.

[harley2ride]

AIW is good, or ADS PYRO ADVC, or CANOPUS ADVC..

[Krelmaneck]

Personally, I think that direct to MPG with an ATI AIW card is about as good as it gets for capping most anything intended for standard definition. Lots of capability there. They take a bit of fine-tuning to get just right.

Component is NOT "three composites", it is Component. Completely different, and not relevant to VHS capture.

Tried a Hauppage card to compare it against. Installed it, used it for a while, then took it out and put the ATI back in. Gave me a totally new appreciation for ATI's software, which many, many complain about. Light years ahead of Hauppages package.

Thanks for the advice. PS--I misspoke. I should have put in a claifier: component and composite. I know it is not VHS related since I have a component only on my HDTV and XBOX. Maybe I should have not said that altogether. Let us just stick with s-video and composite on a card--sorry did not mean to go completely digital. I never had a digital camcorder so I do not know exactly what kind of connections they use. I know STILL digital cameras with an option to make 15 min movies usually just go on a memory stick and are not caputred. What about the big Cannon guns now? If a person had a $4000 Cannon camcorder (digital) does that use a stick or hooks ups up by firewire since really it is already digital?

[Krelmaneck]

If you want the good old way to capture VHS, find an ATI All-In-Wonder 9xxx card. Lordsurf's site has all the info.

Can you link me please?

Ps if I did get a AIW, would I have to sacrifice my current Nvidia card with a Nvidia G-force 8600 GTS?

[edDV]

If you want the good old way to capture VHS, find an ATI All-In-Wonder 9xxx card. Lordsurf's site has all the info.

Can you link me please?

Ps if I did get a AIW, would I have to sacrifice my current Nvidia card with a Nvidia G-force 8600 GTS?

Lordsmurf's site http://www.digitalfaq.com/

Yes the AIW cards were both capture and display. MMC support stopped with XP. I'd dedicate an old XP machine to capture.