Analog Capture Device

[bfabella]

Hi,

I'm having trouble deciding on which analog capture method is best for our lab. We need to capture an analog video source, edit the video typically into 30-60 second clips, and then export the video into a format that can be used in powerpoint or other presentations. We also would like to archive some of the footage on either tape or DVD.

After considering the choices, I eliminated the following:

-Capture cards: our computers are used to run and record data from our experiments, so something that does not require a computer for capture would be ideal.

-Canopus ADVC-100 or similar devices: same reason as above

-DVD recorders: I don't have much experience, but I was under the impression that it's easier to edit and export in the DV format, as opposed to ripping a dvd, and then editing the mpeg2 file.

-miniDV tape deck: too expensive

So I think that a camcorder with analog pass through would be a good solution. It would allow us to capture to tape or to go straight into the computer, depending on the situation. I am concerned that we would wear out the heads, although we typically capture at most an hour a week.

Am I off about any of the different options?

Thanks,

Brian

[redwudz]

I would'nt dismiss the ADVC-100. It does exactly what your DV camcorder would do. Either the camcorder or the ADVC will require a Firewire card and software. The ADVC has advantages in that it is an external device and can be used with different computers and OS's. However, if you have the availability of a DV camcorder, go ahead and use it. DV format should be relativly simple to convert to a Powerpoint format and it is easy to edit. Unless you are playing a tape and transfering from that, the heads are'nt used, so there is no wear.