Help Selecting capture card

[jpc82]

I want to buy a capture card for my computer so that I can transfer all my family videos to DVD.

The computer store near my house has two capture cards
ATI TV Wonder Pro
LeadTek WinFast TVXP 2000 Deluxe

I have looked them both online and read the reviews here and it seems that the LeadTek one is a bit more stable (software wise).

The only problem I have is that it does not have RCA Video input, which the ATI one does. My VCR only have composite, and RCA video/audio out so to use the LeadTek I would need to use the Composite connection which is not as good.

My question is whether there is a huge difference between SVIDEO, and Composite. And if the problems with the TV Wonder Pro's software problems had been fixed?

[jpc82]

I just noticed the store also carries the Pinnacle PCTV

How does this one compare to the other cards

[andkiich]

IMO there is a huge difference in SVideo and composite, where I find SVideo to be a bit more stable carrying a signal and I get less dropped frames on a platform like VHS. Also, the resolution of SVideo is a bit higher than RCA type input.

I like the ATI card. I've had mine for some time and find it to be extremely stable and has handled everything that I use. The only program that I could not get to work successfully capturing was VirtualDub.

[Ziffelpig]

Look for something in the ATI All in Wonder series, not the TV Wonder series. I use the AIW 7500, not only is it great for capturing, it's an excellent video card for high end games, and my captures from a digital satellite feed using S-video are perfect. I can't really see any difference when capturing with the composite, but again it's a digital satellite stream. I do notice a small difference when converting VHS to DVD, and only use S-video in those cases.
Check out Lordsmurf.com for a wealth of info on ATI cards, their settings, and ways of getting the best capture possible.

[jpc82]

I'm not looking to get a AIW since I already have an ATI 9500Pro and I'm not looking to replace it.

andkiich: do you have the TV Wonder Pro or just the regular TV Wonder?