MPEG2 capture board

[schokid02]

I've seen lots of info on mpeg2 capture boards for PCs, but do any exist for Macs? I'd like to be able to record TV shows, import VHS, etc. directly into mpeg2 so I can archive them onto DVD. Pinnacle makes one for PCs that comes in a package for $100, so I'd have to find one pretty cheap. Otherwise it'd be cheaper to buy a Dell and the Pinnacle. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[kkant]

One option is the ADS USB Instant DVD for Mac. I own one, and the capture quality is very good. It'll do up to 6 Mbit/sec. www.adstech.com

Edit: I just noticed your other post where you mention that you already have the ADS piece. If you are looking for a PCI card, I know that Pixela in Japan makes a card that'll do 15 Mbps captures. Only hitch is, they apparently only sell it in Japan. So if you have a friend across the Pac, you're all set.

[pants]

well if you use os9, you can try to track down a digital media press card, firewire input only and from a file encoding to mpeg2, made by wired inc. about $500. no plans for osx though. real time and have heard the quality is great.

for osx your only real choice right now is the instant dvd, unless you can get one of those pixela boards, which seem really cool, but asisde from being sold in japan only, i think the software is japanese only too. so it'll probably be cheaper to either buy a pc and get a card or buy a standalone dvd recorder, maybe one with a hard drive too.

[schokid02]

I actually have an uncle who travels to Japan a few times a year. Maybe I'll ask him to check it out. Would a DVD recorder allow me to backup my commercial VHS tapes as well? To get one it would have to be versatile.