Digital and analogic tv card?

[Viljami]

Hello,
I am a newbie, so my question might be stupid...
Anyway:
Is it possible to find a tv card that can record analogic and digital tv. Or maybe a digital one can do both?
Thanks,
Viljami.

[kazzer]

Both analog and digital tv will be 'captured' in the same way

[Viljami]

Ok, because i thought there was a problem because of the difference between the two kind of modulations (but if you say that it is possible). Do you have any idea of a good card that can captured both and encode the signal in Mpeg2? My proc should be a 900MHz (yes i'm not sure yet), I suppose it's enough?
Thanks...
Viljami.

[kazzer]

I'm not sure if i follow your post correctly, but i'll explain what i can.

What do you wish to capture?

Lets say VHS...your video player will have a composite video output. This is an analog signal. All capture cards have composite inputs, so your fine here.

Digital source? Lets say a digital satellite receiver. The video coming out of your receiver is ANALOG not digital. However, its still very good quality. Usually the output is s-video, (and composite), and again nearly all capture cards have s-video input. Always choose s-video where available. Its superior.

What capture card to get? Well, how much do you want to spend? Whats your destination - VCD, DVD, VHS? Please read the capture card reviews to your left for more info.

When you encode to MPEG 2, your capture card does nothing. Work is done using a software encoder and your CPU. Some cards offer realtime MPEG encoding, but personally i doubt their quality. My experience in this is limited though. 900MHz is not suitable for realtime MPEG 2 capture. Its fine if you plan to use a software encoder later.

Hope this helps!

[Rond66]

I had AMD 900Mhz and had some frame drop at the highest capture setting.

See which All-In-Wonder card is best for your needs.
http://www.ati.com/

[Viljami]

Thank you, but i still have questions.

Ok, so if i understand, i need a composite input and a s-video one if i want to capture both. Ok, fine but i have to use the DV receiver.
But if i want to record a free DV channel (some are free in Finland) directly from the antenna, i could use a card with a digital tuner, so i don't have to use any extra device. Am i right?
Thanks,
Viljami.

[kazzer]

i could use a card with a digital tuner, so i don't have to use any extra device. Am i right?

Do you mean a digital terrestrial receiver card? This works in the same way as an analog card as far as capturing is concerned. (i think!)

[Magus999]

Im surprised no one gave you any helpfull info.

A card I recomend is Hauppauge's WINTV PVR card. It is like their previous line of tv cards, but with the added bonus of a built in MPEG decoder which records TV (or external input) to itself and write it to an MPEG file on your computer. they ae about $200 a piece, but well worth it. I dont know if there is a MAC version, but I know there are Mac vrsions of their other products. Their website is www.hauppauge.com

I hope this helps

[kazzer]

Im surprised no one gave you any helpfull info.

Ha!

Thanks alot!

[Viljami]

Hi,
I found this card: DV PRO TV SAP from V-gear. Any opinion? Problem?...
Cause on the Hauppauge's cards, there is no digital tuner.

Viljami