Advice on Video Capture Device

[Computer_Techie04]

Hi.

First, just wanted to say hi to everyone as I am new to the forums.

Ok. I got a lot of VHS and 8mm cassette tapes that I would like to convert to DVD for archive purposes. Over the past several months, I have read a lot on the topic of video capture and have attemped to do some capturing but did not get the results I liked.

I puchased a Dazzle Hollywood DV-Bridge a few months ago and was disappointed with the results. I could not get the quailty that I wanted and the software lacked the "features" that I seeked. So I decided to sell it and start over.

And so, here are some questions.

Question 1: For me, the most important thing with converting to DVD is quality. What is the best method of capturing video, as far as hardware is concerned? I would like something that captures well enough that it almost looks like the orginal.

Question 2: What is a good program for video editing? What are some examples of filters that I may need?

Question 3: I am looking at building a new computer for video editing, something a bit more powerful that what I currently have (Pentium IV 1.7 Ghz, 256 MB, 80GB Hard Drive, Win. XP). What is a better processor for video capture/editing: AMD or Intel? What are some examples of system specs. that people use to capture video?

Question 4: I have a VCR that is about 3-4 years old. When playing VHS tapes to convert them, should I consider purchasing a new VHS to increase play-back quality?

Thank for any information.
Computer_Techie04

[Computer_Techie04]

Got one more question.

Question 5: I am looking at purchasing a DVD burner. Any recommendations?

Thanks again.

[jaseybabe]

Got one more question.

Question 5: I am looking at purchasing a DVD burner. Any recommendations?

Thanks again.

Pioneer 106/107. Or if money is no object try a Plextor - they are the best.

[SatStorm]

Answer 1: A matrox card with an all inter PC, is the best.

Answer 2: For linear video, I like mpeg2vcr. For non linear, Adobe premiere is the best
Each source need different kind of filters. There is no one answer for this.

Answer 3: For capturing, your athlon 1700 is okey. For linear editing, it is also okey. For non linear editing and encoding, the faster CPU the better.
Personally, I vote Athlon 64
Memory and fast Hard drives with plenty disc space help.
I use an athlon 2600 and I'm okey for now.

Answer 4:No. You might need a new VCR with built in TBC if you are NTSC and you have to convert really old tapes. Some advance users, also advice for a seperate TBC unit for top results.

[Computer_Techie04]

What do you mean by "linear video"?

[Muppet Meat]

A SVHS is probably a good choice. The S means S-Video port which is somewhat better for the purpose.
I dont know what capture device is better though. Probably Matrox or Canopus. Do yourself a favor though, dont buy anything with a smiling person holding a DVD on the product box. I had a horrible experience with a $160 Pinnacle Moviebox. It skipped so much I wanted to pull my hair out. I tried clean installing WindowsXP followed by drivers and then tried again and again and again. I even tried using different VCR's I was so fed up I through the thing in the trash where it belonged. Maybe my problem was to buy a external usb capture device instead of a proper card like a Matrox.
If you are interested in buying a digital video camera. Get one that has a analogue input port and plug your VCR into it and pass the video from the camera to the pc via firewire. Dont trust usb ports for video. They are for there for printers and things like that.

[Barnabas]

It depends on what you want to spend.

I use the following to archive VHS tapes to DVD format.

Hauppauge PVR-250 (real-time) hardware mpeg2 encoding
JVC S9911u S-VHS VCR with digital noise reduction and Time Base Correction.
GoVideo VCR
AVT 8710 Time Base Corrector. (Has controls to tweak the video)
VideoReDo Frame Accurate Mpeg-2 editor
TMPGEnc DVD Author

The above system allows me to convert VHS and SVHS tapes in REAL-TIME to DVD format.

VideReDo is the best editor for VHS to DVD conversions, as without Time Base Correction, video frame drops will make your edited video out of sync.

[Muppet Meat]

[Tommyknocker]

It depends on what you want to spend.

I use the following to archive VHS tapes to DVD format.

Hauppauge PVR-250 (real-time) hardware mpeg2 encoding
JVC S9911u S-VHS VCR with digital noise reduction and Time Base Correction.
GoVideo VCR
AVT 8710 Time Base Corrector. (Has controls to tweak the video)
VideoReDo Frame Accurate Mpeg-2 editor
TMPGEnc DVD Author

The above system allows me to convert VHS and SVHS tapes in REAL-TIME to DVD format.

VideReDo is the best editor for VHS to DVD conversions, as without Time Base Correction, video frame drops will make your edited video out of sync.

My favorite vampire, too.

[cusinbrucie]

Hi, I am new to the forums. I need some good advise on what type of equipment/software to get.

I have a PC running Windows XP with an AMD 2.8 Ghz processor. I have a 120 Gig and a 60 gig hard drive. and 512 megs of ddr 3200 ram

I have an older analog Hi-8 camcorder with somes tapes that I edited about 6 years ago on my old Commodore Amiga-2000. I want to be able to capture those tapes on my PC as well as capture some photos to edit and make a video for my mother's upcomng 80th birthday, I will probably output t to VHS for her but want t get a DVD burner and burn it to DVD for myself and other family members.

I had been looking at the Pinnacle Moviebox AV/DV deluxe with their 9.0 software and Hollywood FX and it has a capture card with firewire and a breakout box so I can input the analog and output to VHS analog. I have been hearing some not good things including from these forums about their products and support.

I'd like some advice as to what I can get that is relaible and will give me good quality video and all of the transissions,effects, titles and music that I would like to add to this and any other videos that I'd like to edit and produce. I can't really spend a lot of money on this at this point. I saw a review of the ATI All-in Wonder 9800 Pro card and this seems like it could do the job and also has a breakout box. I am not really into gaming so I don't need it for that. So I would really appreciate any and all feed back and suggestions as to hardware and software. Any advise on DVD burners would also be appreciated.

Thankyou very much in advance.

Bruce