More questions I've confused myself reading about cards!

[fvnesscafe]

Hi again,

I thought I had it all figured out and started doing some more research into cards and now I have what may sound like some stupid questions, but bare w/ me because before I shell out any more money to do this I want to be darn sure what I get is going to work this time. I know that I need a video capture card that I can plug my vcr into, but will any old capture card do that or only some of them and how do I know if I can plug my vcr into it? Also, are video capture cards just another name for video graphics cards? Because they seem like two different things, but both are called video cards and I keep getting confused. If they are two different things then do I have to get both or can I just get a capture card? Some of the capture cards say tv tuner card, some say video card video in only, and some say capture card (followed by file types). How do you know which is which and which one do I need? I'm really sorry guys, but the more I read the more confused I get.

Annessa,

[fmctm1sw]

Hi again,

I thought I had it all figured out and started doing some more research into cards and now I have what may sound like some stupid questions, but bare w/ me because before I shell out any more money to do this I want to be darn sure what I get is going to work this time. I know that I need a video capture card that I can plug my vcr into, but will any old capture card do that or only some of them and how do I know if I can plug my vcr into it? Also, are video capture cards just another name for video graphics cards? Because they seem like two different things, but both are called video cards and I keep getting confused. If they are two different things then do I have to get both or can I just get a capture card? Some of the capture cards say tv tuner card, some say video card video in only, and some say capture card (followed by file types). How do you know which is which and which one do I need? I'm really sorry guys, but the more I read the more confused I get.

Annessa,

I have the same 810 chipset you have. I do not think you can have another video card installed due to the integrated graphics. The ATI All in wonder is a good example of a video card that has inputs you can capture from. I have a Wintv fm Radio card. It is a TV tuner card (PCI) which means I can watch TV with it. I never do, I just capture with it. Then you must make sure the card you buy has the correct inputs you need. Is your VCR a SVHS? My TV card has S-video, RCA and TV and FM (both coaxial like you cable tv).

[snowmoon]

Ok

Vid Capture is a function that is either a) On a card by itself or b) integrated into a standard video card.

If you already have a setup you like, just add a bt8x8 bassed capture card and be done with it. To swap out your primary video card can sometimes be more hassle than it's worth.

[fmctm1sw]

The different file type you also mention are probably the format you can capture in. Some cards will capture dirctly to MPG-1 (what you need for VCD) or even MPG-2 (SVCD & DVD). They are generally more expensive though. I capture everything to AVI and convert it with tmpgenc. Slow but my card was only $60.

[fmctm1sw]

To swap out your primary video card can sometimes be more hassle than it's worth.

Yeah, you may not even have a choice. My motherboard doesn't even have an AGP slot. You'd have to settle for a PCI video card if you can even disable the integrated graphics (I can't remember if you can or not). I have had no trouble at all (except for some installation issues) with integrated graphics.

[fvnesscafe]

I have the same 810 chipset you have. I do not think you can have another video card installed due to the integrated graphics. The ATI All in wonder is a good example of a video card that has inputs you can capture from. I have a Wintv fm Radio card. It is a TV tuner card (PCI) which means I can watch TV with it. I never do, I just capture with it. Then you must make sure the card you buy has the correct inputs you need. Is your VCR a SVHS? My TV card has S-video, RCA and TV and FM (both coaxial like you cable tv).

Well, my vcr has RCA and Coaxial plugs only. It's just a plain old vhs vcr. Anyways, so what you are basiclly saying is any capture card will do as long as it has RCA or Cable Coaxial plugs to attach the vcr to? And I don't have to get a video graphics card which is something different from a capture card. Right? Why does this stuff have to be so complicated?

[fvnesscafe]

To swap out your primary video card can sometimes be more hassle than it's worth.

Yeah, you may not even have a choice. My motherboard doesn't even have an AGP slot. You'd have to settle for a PCI video card if you can even disable the integrated graphics (I can't remember if you can or not). I have had no trouble at all (except for some installation issues) with integrated graphics.

Hmm so that's why they told me that I couldn't get that All In Wonder AGP at CompUSA. I don't have a slot for it on my computer. OHHHH! Well if you have the same graphics and you can do it then I can too! I just have to decide on a card I guess... 8)

[fmctm1sw]

Just a few terms we had to work out. a TV tuner card or even a dedicated video capture card would probably be fine for you. My $60 tv card does a fine job for caps. Although your quality will depend on the source.

[fmctm1sw]

Hmm so that's why they told me that I couldn't get that All In Wonder AGP at CompUSA.

Sometimes it's because folks don't know what they're talking about (see radio shack), but they were probably on the mark with that one. A simple BT 8x8 chipset card would probably be great for you....

[fvnesscafe]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your help. Umm, what is tmpgenc? I keep reading about it over and over? What does it do? Does it come w/ the capture cards?

[fmctm1sw]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your help. Umm, what is tmpgenc? I keep reading about it over and over? What does it do? Does it come w/ the capture cards?

A bunch of good stuff but primarily a conversion tool. See Conversion under Tools.... Doesn't come with the card but is free (SVD/DVD free for 30 days).