PCI? Can you still cap quality TV?

[mreed80]

I realize that AGP is better than PCI, but can you still burn quality TV caps to DVD with a PCI video card?

[Gazorgan]

You realize that your video card has absolutely nothing to do with capturing TV? Video cards that capture are actually multi-function cards (video capture and audio capture, and TV out cards are also sound cards).

To answer your question, no, PCI is no hinderance to capturing. In fact, it's generally faster on a dedicated card (you are sharing resources, nor do you have to jump off the AGP bus in an unusual spot). Dedicated cards tend to be more flexible. ATI all-in-wonder cards tend to suck with the included software, most people use something else to get better results.

It just depends on what you want to do. Data rates, and any codecs you use during capture will affect your system and the quality of the final product. If you have a Video card that captures, or a dedicated card, either should be fine. USB is a whole different issue, avoid USB.

[mreed80]

Ok, well then I guess here comes another dumb question.
Does a video card help in capturing off of anything?
Does it make any difference in copying DVDs -> DVD-R?

[Gazorgan]

Your video card makes zero difference in ripping from DVD or re-encoding from 1 format to another. It does matter when you watch a video, or in capturing if you are watching the video at the same time(only a little bit, and only if the card is really bad and you have a slow cpu).

Think of those office 'all in one' that are a printer, copier, fax machine, scanner, etc. You can do the same thing with seperates. The all-in-one is cheaper, but if it breaks, usually you lose everything. It's als not the best printer or scanner, usually it's fair to poor quality, but it's 'good enough'.

Same thing for video capture cards, most are 'good enough'. Granted a dedicated hardware-accelerated card can give superior results(these are the $300 and up cards), but generally speaking, you can't tell the difference on you TV/Computer.

[mreed80]

Thank you so much for your help!