Zipshot external capture card questions

[Aramique]

Hello everyone

I am considering buying an Arcsoft Zipshot external capture card which connects via the parallel port...but I'm not so sure as to whether it

a) works with actual video and audio rather than merely capturing single frame still images/series of still images (it says the res goes up to 1600x1200?)

b) works with Windows XP

and

c) would be complicated to capture from a VCR with an external card?

I've done it before with an internal capture card from a VHS but now I have a suped up sound card which takes up the capture card's place

So I need an external one with all the cables, simple interface to capture from VHS!

Any help would be greatly appreciated (I know that's a cliché but it's actually sincerely true I'm kinda in a hurry!)

Thanks guys (and great forums here!!)

[macleod]

the company that made the zipshot went out of business years ago. I had one and sold it at a garage sale for $5.00 (cost me $150 originally).

To technically answer your two questions, here goes:

a) does both. You can cap at max 320x240 (not even vcd res.) and also cap still images

b) you'll have to build your own driver. I couldnt get it to work on XP at all (worked fine on a 95 or 98 machine).

c) sure (I say this generically

Now for the unwanted advice Go get an ATI tv wonder card. It will do everything plus some as the zipshot. You will fiddle with this external thing until it ends up in a garage sale or in the trash. (I am guessing you arent buying this new since they havent made them in a number of years). You can get an ati wonder anywhere for around $20-$40. You'll be better off. If you still decide to get the zipshot, let me know and I will see if I can get the updated software that will allow you to capture sound from the card (thats right, sounds doesnt come native on the software piece).

[thayne]

I think ArcSoft bought the rights too it and is now making the model Aramique is talking about.

I wouldn't get anything that connects via parallel port. Parallel port's are obsolete and will disapear soon on newer computers. If I were you I would look for something that connects via USB 2.0 or firewire.

[Aramique]

Thankyou very much for the warning macleod!

thanks thayne - is there any external option, that Ati wonder has always been on my mind but I just can't remove the sound card it took ages last time to take out the old cap card and set it up...

thanks again guys

[thayne]

The ATI replaces your current video card, so you don't need an extra slot for it

[Aramique]

My card is on my motherboard...

The Ati sounds great with tv out and all...