Analog CABLE TV capture setup?

[finny]

I want to record programs off of my CABLE and want to get the BEST TV TUNER CARD in conjunction to work with an external DV conversion device as I'm planning to get the Canopus ADVC-100 for the DV conversion.

My question is how to I setup the configuration? OR is this configuration not possible? i.e A TV TUNER CARD where i plug my CABLE in, and then use a DV converter like the Canopus ADVC-100 to covert the analog to DIGITAL video, so i can get the best picture quality w/o any audio/video sync problems....

[wings123]

I use an ATI-TV Wonder PCI card and it is ok. It works with XP and has a decent picture. To get the best picture depends on the signal coming in and the quality of the card. Messing around with the contrast and color setting can help. This card can do everything you have described.

[rcb]

I've not seen a setup where a tv tuner card was feeding to an advc 100 first before the dv data was transferred.
I have both, but run them separately. My 100 comes off the cable box and my tv tuner card is fed by a cable splitter.

mebbe another poster can give you setup suggestions on what you want.

[finny]

I dont have a CABLE box, but just regular analog CABLE service with High Speed Internet.

I just want to record programs off of my CABLE with the best Capture Quality, so I need the best TV CAPTURE card and PVR software..

The reason I thought of the CANOPUS is because everyone says its the best for DV conversion BUT did not specify how to use it in conjunction with a TV CAPTURE card.....

[rcb]

Well, two ways to go come to mind...
1) you can go the card route, but be prepared for some possible tinkering/tweaking. And, a serious visit to lordsmurf.com is highly reccomended.. ATI cards are his specialty.

2) the advc-100 is much easier to install/operate and provides relaible results, can bypass macrovision and has locked audio/video sync ( one of the banes of many card setups). Downside is the cost hit and the need for lots of hard drive space, like a dedicated 120-160 gig 2nd drive..

There are other sources/methods... such as stand alone dvd recorders..

but do take your time and do your research to avoid either getting nickled/dimed to death later or bailing out with with sour taste in mouth.

[jg0001]

I've had nothing but problems with TV Tuner cards. I've always ended up being disappointed and I've had a lot of different cards. The ATI cards (of which I've had two, the TV Wonder, and more recently, the TV Wonder Pro Remote Control Edition) are INFURIATINGLY touchy and I strongly advise against them. Any card that practically requires it's own dedicated computer (or profile) isn't worth the time.

Use the ADVC to bring in video as DV-AVI and software convert it later. You'll get better results and save yourself a world of hassle.

I do keep a Tuner card in my PC, but it is solely for PC TV watching. It is a Creative DVCR card ($99) and it has a great picture and an excellent PVR, but it just can't record in a DVD compliant format (and I can never seem to convert it without sync problems), so it is not suited for long-term capture. The PVR function does work VERY well and uses up very little of my processing power while recording MPEG-2 quality. I stress again, though, it's great for TV watching and playback, but not if you intend to burn to DVD.

[burlyboy]

I use an ATI TV Wonder VE and can record excellent quality video directly from cable in either MPEG1 or MPEG2 dvd compliant video with no frame drops. The card has MPEG encoding/decoding built into the hardware so my CPU isn't overloaded.
The MPEG2 codec came from my copy of Pinnacle Studio 8. I think it also come with Nero v5.5.
It's an inexpensive way to start getting excellent quality digital video.

Duron 1200, 384 MB, 60 GB, Radeon

cheers

[budz]

Get a CANOPUS ADVC-100 you won't be disappointed. It's the best investment you can make. I've converted vhs/betamax tapes to dvd using the ADVC-100. No dropped frames or audio/video sync problems. Also capture directly from my digital cable box.

[indolikaa]

You could run the cable signal into a VCR, then output the VCR signal via RCA cables into the ADVC-100...

The ATI cards (of which I've had two, the TV Wonder, and more recently, the TV Wonder Pro Remote Control Edition) are INFURIATINGLY touchy and I strongly advise against them. Any card that practically requires it's own dedicated computer (or profile) isn't worth the time.

I can't speak of the TV Wonder series. The ATI AIWs have no such problems, though. Even on my lowly Athlon 1200 machines.

I'm working dvdrhelp.com and capturing as we speak. Let's see...no dropped frames since I started recording 49 minutes ago. And did I mention I have two occurences of MS Word running, too?

As for compatibility?

ATI MMC -> Womble MPEG2-VCR -> DVD-lab -> Finished Product.

Never been a problem for me, Keptin!

[finny]

Ok heres how my setup is and this is and what i want to do

I dont have a TV tuner
I dont want to use a VCR as a tuner or to record
I dont have a cable box because i dont have digital cable.

I want to view and record CABLE on my Computer monitor so I need a TV tuner card, the BEst PVR software and 'whatever additional device' to get this best picture quality.

As for the finished product, I dont want to burn it on DVD FROMAT playble on any DVD... I would be happy if I could just view the capture (avi/mpeg) on my hard drive and perhaps record it on a DVD for viewing on my computer only....

What do i need to do? [/b]

[budz]

finny wrote:

I dont have a cable box because i dont have digital cable.

Ok so you don't have a cable box then how do you expect to capture? Or do you just have a direct cable line that you want to plug into your computer?

There have been good suggestions to your posting. As rbc mentioned you could get a card but would need to tweak the settings. I've read many people have problems using a video tuner card. If you purchased a CANOPUS ADVC-100 you will not have audio/video sync problems that you'll get with purchasing a video tuner card. Read the forum regarding CANOPUS ADVC-100 & ATI CARDS. You'll see how satisfied the owners of the CANOPUS ADVC-100 are. I've read how some have bought ATI CARDS & other devices to capture. All have the same problems of audio/video sync problems. Save yourself a lot of headache and take some of these suggestions that have been posted for you.

[frankb]

Hi,

I started out with the Pinnacle WinTV Pro card. Decent quality tuner (cable input), however recording was only really possible up to half-DVD quality and fixed bitrate. When chosing any higher quality settings, the sound would get out of async within 20 seconds and the video would be very blocky.

When reading some of the posts here I learned that the Pinnacle card does software encoding. So I decided to get a card that does hardware encoding - the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-350. The software is a bit weird but workable. The quality of both the tuner and the recordings are superb. Audio out of sync issues are a thing of the past, probably because the hardware encoding and the fact that this card has an on-board soundcard. I can record right up to the reguar full-DVD quality. Even on a widescreen 100 Hz tv the quality is impeccable.

Bottom line: go for hardware encoding if you want to record in decent quality.

Frank

[finny]

finny wrote:

I dont have a cable box because i dont have digital cable.

Ok so you don't have a cable box then how do you expect to capture? Or do you just have a direct cable line that you want to plug into your computer?

Yes I have a DIRECT CABLE LINE that i want to PLUG in my computer to capture...

What setup do you recommend. Is it possible to use the canopus??

[trevlac]

I want to record programs off of my CABLE and want to get the BEST TV TUNER CARD in conjunction to work with an external DV conversion device as I'm planning to get the Canopus ADVC-100 for the DV conversion.

My question is how to I setup the configuration? OR is this configuration not possible? i.e A TV TUNER CARD where i plug my CABLE in, and then use a DV converter like the Canopus ADVC-100 to covert the analog to DIGITAL video, so i can get the best picture quality w/o any audio/video sync problems....

What do TV TUNER Cards do? Well, generally they contain a tuner and a analog to digital converter. You can not get at the NTSC decoded analog signal until after it is already digitized. You may find one that has analog out, but that most likely goes Cable in ->Tuner on card Decode NTSC -> Digitizer on Card digitizes signal -> DAC goes analog back out.

So... no you can't use your ADVC with a card seeing that they basically do the same thing.

indolikaa's advice is the best if you want to buy and use an ADVC. Use a vcr as a tuner (preferably SVHS). Unfortunately, you would not be able to do scheduled PVR type of stuff.

PS: I think there are DV capture devices with built in tuners.

[Allan55]

finny wrote:

I dont want to use a VCR as a tuner or to record

Why Not?

They have the same tuners in them, depending on make and model and so on, that are used in TV capture devices.

If you can find a much older high-end VCR (say 8-10 years old); it will probably have one of the best tuners available (the "record" function doesn't have to work).

My Sony SLV686 is one of these. It's tuner rivals every other tuner I've tried since, as does the electronics in it. It cost Can600$ 10 years ago, if I remember correctly. It has built-in editing functions--pre-digital/computer for "home" use. Recently, I even spent Can$250 fixing it.

Regards, Allan

[finny]

The reason why i dont want to use a VCR as a Tuner is because I wont be able to do Scheduled recordings!

I still have no clue as how i can record CABLE on my computer?

Someone suggested i get the WIN TV-PVR 350 , as it has a built in TV tuner, does hardware DEcoding, and can be used with a PVR for scheduled recordings...

[budz]

To finny> You can do scheduled capturing using Scenalyzer Live software. Take indolikaa's advice & use a vcr for a tuner. I think tuner cards only go up to 125 channels. If you could get a cable box or a digital one that would be even better. I wouldn't suggest getting a wintv pvr tuner card. I've read where there are a/v snyc problems. Also read where people have bought these tuner and capture cards only to end up purchasing the ADVC-100 because of dropped frames & a/v sync probs.

You would need to get a firewire pci card for your computer & install it in a available pci slot of your computer. The firewire connector will be hooked up to the firewire port of the ADVC-100. Hook the a/v inputs of the advc-100 to the outputs of the vcr. Then you will be able to capture whatever you want from cable tv. Hope this helps you out!