Which DV capture software? Does it really matter?

[boathouse]

I'd like to capture some DV from a camcorder to my pc and therefore have installed a firewire card.

Does it matter which software package you use to capture the DV input to an .avi file?

Lots of video packages have the ability to capture DV. However I've read that DV capture isn't really a capture at all, but is more like a simple data copy.

Therefore will a cheap or free video editing package (like Nandub) be able to capture DV video in just as high quality as an expensive package (like Videostudio)?

Thanks for your advice

[Tommyknocker]

In my opinion, DVIO transfers just as well as Video Studio. I still use VS though, because my next step is almost always in that program.

[daamon]

Hi boathouse,

I'd like to capture some DV from a camcorder to my pc and therefore have installed a firewire card.

Good move.

Does it matter which software package you use to capture the DV input to an .avi file?

No. Because, you're right, DV cam to PC via firewire is not capture, it's a transfer of data from one medium to another. A subtle difference, but an important one.


Check out the Tools section (Capture) for loads of freeware, trialware etc. and comments on them. Bear in mind that these just get the AVI onto your PC. The next step, if that's what you want to do, is to edit the AVI (fades, transitions, effects etc.).

Editing requires a different set of tools. I use Adobe Premiere - does the capture and the editing, then exports the finished project to DV AVI. If you're looking to make (S)VCD / DVD (or others) you'll need to encode.

Hope that helps...