Which should I chose?

[SGB]

I don't know if this is the right forum to ask, so feel free to move the
thread if that's the case.


I want to get a new capture device so I can record stuff to my PC from the VCR. But what type of capture device would be best?

A capture card that can be hooked into a firewire port, or a TV tuner?

I only intend to do 320x240 recordings so I can make available some material between net users, so which capture device is the way to go?


In case you need to know, my PC specs are: 2.4 Ghz Celeron CPU, 40 gig HD, 256 MB RAM.

[Tommyknocker]

Capturing to a fire port can only be done if you have a hardware encoding device, a camcorder with pass through, or your VCR has fire wire out function, or so. Anyway once you do capture, you may want to stay away from 320 x 240 video on the net, unless all your clients have super computers like yours. A better resolution would be like 176 x 120 or so but using the quick time, real media, or the .wmv format, which are more suitable for the 'Net. If you insist on using the larger resolution, have your clients download the files from your site, rather have them play online, in my opinion.

[MrMungus]

I don't know if this is the right forum to ask, so feel free to move the
thread if that's the case.


I want to get a new capture device so I can record stuff to my PC from the VCR. But what type of capture device would be best?

A capture card that can be hooked into a firewire port, or a TV tuner?

I only intend to do 320x240 recordings so I can make available some material between net users, so which capture device is the way to go?


In case you need to know, my PC specs are: 2.4 Ghz Celeron CPU, 40 gig HD, 256 MB RAM.

I'd go one of two ways here: hardware MPEG-1/2 (that's MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) encoding or software MPEG-1/2 encoding.

You can do hardware MPEG-1/2 encoding using a hardware MPEG-1/2 capture card like the Hauppauge PVR-250 or 350 or the Videoh! card directly to MPEG-1, 352x240. That'd be $120 - $200.

Or, since I think your computer might be fast enough (which I think it would be), you might look into a card with a BT878 chipset and let your computer to software MPEG-1/2 encoding. That'd be $50 to $100.

If you do the latter, make sure the card comes with something like Ulead DVD MovieFactory so you can capture directly to MPEG-1/2 using that software.

Alternatively, you could get an external device that sits between the VCR and the computer, converting the video signal into MPEG-1/2 or Firewire (and if it's Firewire, you can do software MPEG-1/2 encoding as mentioned above). Those are more expensive but more flexible.

So I guess it depends on how much $ you want to spend.

[newbreed68]

I would personally stay away from software capture, especially if you plan on using your machine while you are capturing..........go with the pvr-350 that way when you decide simply capturing isn't enough you have a good start on a myth box and you can really unleash the potential of this card. you should see around 5% cpu usage while encoding with the 350

[MrMungus]

I would personally stay away from software capture, especially if you plan on using your machine while you are capturing..........go with the pvr-350 that way when you decide simply capturing isn't enough you have a good start on a myth box and you can really unleash the potential of this card. you should see around 5% cpu usage while encoding with the 350

Oh yeah, I guess you're right about that. I have separate computers for video and for other stuff and I'm able to let the encoding computer do JUST encoding.

I *have* done other stuff while encoding with the 250. That would be a better option if you have only one computer.

[SGB]

I would personally stay away from software capture, especially if you plan on using your machine while you are capturing

I don't plan on using my PC when capturing.

With capturing in MPEG format, can you actually set what bitrate you want the MPEG recording to be?


That question aside, I would be better off getting a TV tuner then, would I?

[MrMungus]

I would personally stay away from software capture, especially if you plan on using your machine while you are capturing

I don't plan on using my PC when capturing.

With capturing in MPEG format, can you actually set what bitrate you want the MPEG recording to be?


That question aside, I would be better off getting a TV tuner then, would I?

Yes, depending on the card and the software. I had a Videoh! MPEG-2 capture card but couldn't figure out a way to get any settings other than "good", "better", or "best". I got the Hauppauge 250 card and can adjust all the settings. I can also specify the settings with Firewire/Ulead DVD MovieF actory. Do your homework and if all else fails, get a bunch of cards and return the ones you don't want.

I would only get a TV tuner if I was planning on watching TV on my PC...but even then I think I'd use a VCR for tuning instead of sticking a cable co. cable into my capture card. I have a TV next to my monitor.