TV Capture Card - Leadtek vs. PVR250 for the Hobbyist

[cz9h3d]

I'm contemplating getting a TV card w/capture to better facilitate putting the occasional kid's show on DVD (for my kids, of course!). I just recently taped a 1 hour show direct to my MiniDV Cam, and then used the firewire connection to get the data in DV format onto my PC. I can then use a variety of applications to edit/burn, but wouldn't mind being able to bypass taping onto my miniDV Cam if it makes sense.

I'm considering the LeadTech TV2000 XP Deluxe or Hauppauge PVR-250. I've read the numerous posts on both, and know I'll be taking a chance on getting either working to my satisfaction (seems like people love them or hate them, depending upon if they can get them to work correctly).

The onboard MPEG2 encoder sounds enticing on the PVR250 (again, I skip a step). This will be strictly for the occasional Jimmy Neutron episode, etc, so I don't need HDTV quality for a plasma screen. But perhaps I'd be better served with a cheaper Leadtek card, capture in AVI, then easier editing and bite the bullet on encoding.

My current nVidia Ti4200 has VIVO, so I guess I could run composite cords from my VCR to it - however the one time I used this solution the AVI file was HUGE!!!!!! ....and I have 120GB and 200GB hard drives.

Thanks....

P4 2.53MHz
512MB DDR PC2700
CenDyne 4X DVD-R

[SnoopX]

I'm gonna sound like a complete newbie now, but I have been using my WinTV2000 XP Deluxe to capture directly onto DVD PAL. Then using either MovieFactory or VideStudio to create the DVD. The capturing is done pretty much real time. So I don't understand it when you say you need to create an AVI and bite the bullet when it comes to encoding.

I hope I haven't confused myself!

[SHS]

Take look at SHSPVR.com oh you get DVD quality.

[cz9h3d]

Oh yea, guess I forget that cards like the WinTV2000 also have software "realtime" MPEG2 encoding. Works pretty good does it?

I'm gonna sound like a complete newbie now, but I have been using my WinTV2000 XP Deluxe to capture directly onto DVD PAL. Then using either MovieFactory or VideStudio to create the DVD. The capturing is done pretty much real time. So I don't understand it when you say you need to create an AVI and bite the bullet when it comes to encoding.

I hope I haven't confused myself!

[cz9h3d]

I've found an interesting comparison on this site that compares software (dumb) vs hardware (smart) cards. Remember, I'm justing looking for the easiest way to put the occasional spongebob or jimmy neutron on DVD for my kids with pretty decent quality. I'm not a canopus candidate!

http://www.aardvark.co.nz/pvr/

[SHS]

cz9h3d you don't have to use WinTV2000 there are a other few 3rdparty tool for WinTV-PVR 250/350 one best one is SageTV or SageRecorder.
The 250 dose REALtime Hardware encoding and REALtime Software Decoding the 350 on the other hand is dual mode REALtime Software PC Monitor or Hardware Decoding S-Video/Composite Output and both be on at same time.

[spiderman2k1]

I heard good thing about the PVR250. I use a Dazzle 2 PCI card its one of the best

[cz9h3d]

Well, I didn't get very many opinions here. I did read through all the PVR-250 and Leadtek reviews on the site though......they made me nervous, as people seem to either love or hate their cards (mostly hate!)

Amazingly enough, I bought the PVR-250 today, installed it with no problems (used the latest drivers / software from hauppauge's site), and have already created a test DVD.

Overall I'm pretty impressed! During one scene transition (extremely fast during a commercial) I did see some blockiness (unless that's how the commercial was suppose to be!). Seems to be more than adequate based upon my Spongebob test tonight!

What can I buy next????

[Gil T Pleasure]

Software.. The PVR250 comes bundled with bad software.. nanoPEG to trim off commercials sucks as well as the WinTV Scheduler to schedule recordings.