Looking at a Canopus capture device, need input...

[etecnifibre]

Right now, I have an ATI AIW 8500. I capture straight to Mpeg2, around 5Mbps, only do basketball games. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a standalone recorder? Will I be able to capture while watching the video at full screen? Also, I will have to convert the video after capture, correct?

Thanks for your imput. Good advice saves me from banging my head on the wall trying to figure this crap out!! Thanks!

[redwudz]

Concerning Canopus: The ADVC-100 doesn't normally drop frames, which makes it useful with a slower computer. The output is DV, very easy to edit and apply filters, especially with Virtualdub and other simple editors. You will have to encode the output to use it for DVD.

Another option I use with the ADVC is Mainconcept encoder. It can encode the DV stream on the fly to MPEG2. This is handy if you don't need to edit. For best quality, I still encode with TMPGEnc from the DV file.

The other option mentioned was a standalone DVD recorder. If you are just copying Tv episodes, this may be the way to go, especially if you don't need to edit.

[etecnifibre]

So the MainConcept is a program that would allow me to watch my video at full screen, while basically saving my file as Mpeg 2? Normally, I like to pause out the commercials. Does it allow for that as well? After I have the file on my hard drive, I will edit out some of the best plays, and then transfer the entire game to DVD.
About the TMPGEnc, how does that compare with say, Ulead Media Studio for converting videos? I've never really had any trouble taking a file and using a Ulead product to make it fit my needs.

[redwudz]

No, the Mainconcept encoder (DV to MPEG2) is not what you are looking for as the use you have in mind. You might have to look further to find exactly what you want. I think you may be better suited to a standalone DVD recorder.

[etecnifibre]

OK, thanks. I'll just stick to my ATI All In Wonder setup. Sounds like the Canopus thing will just cause extra steps for me.

[redwudz]

If the ATI is doing what you want, stick with it. You might check out lordsmurf's site. A lot of info about ATI:http://www.digitalfaq.com/