SOFTWARE VS HARDWARE CAPTURING? WHICH IS BETTER?

[guevi]

when it come to capturing is it better to get a hardware and capture with it than using let say USB or Firewire attach to a Mini DV Cam and capture with a software like videowave, Imagemixer or Ulead????
Qualitywise which is the best way to go?

[Digitizer]

Hardware capture is out of the price scope for hobbysts like us. You can find hardware encoders in a few hundred dollar range but it is unlikely that you will be satisfied with the quality and features. It is better to invest into a fast CPU. There is your hardware encoding