Completly new to video capture

[John Paul]

HI,

I'm completely new to video capture, I have read the tutorials on this site, but still don't quite know what to do.

I'm trying to get some VHS tapes onto my computer so I can make DVDs. The quality doesn't have to be perfect , these are just some home videos I'd like to preserve.

From what I've read I need a hardware capture card or a usb capture device, since I don't have a digital camcorder to feed it through. I have read there is a differance between hardware and software cards, and either one that would work would be fine with me.

I'm looking for something preferably under $60.00 that can get the videos onto the computer with reasonabe audio and video quality for viewing on a TV.

Here are some that I have been looking at(although anything that would work would be fine), and I would like some input as to which one(s) would work in my case:


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=414724&Sku=...C-PRICEGRABBER

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0414765&c=us&l=en&cs=19&cat...&page=external

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=15-100-112&ATT=Video+...C-pr1c3grabb3r

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-100-131&depa=0


I'm on a Dell Dimension 2400, Intel P4@2.54GHz, 256MB RAM, 40 GB HDD, Onboard Intel graphics driver.




Also, What format do I need to capture in? Some cards say they capture in MPEG-2, is that the format that goes on a DVD?





Thanks,
John

[FulciLives]

I would suggest going with the AVerMedia DVD EZMaker which is a PCI card.

You should be able to purchase this on-line for about $50.00 US Dollars.

Although this is a "cheap" capture card it does a really good bang up job. Take a look at this here post:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=244055

Another option would be the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 (a PCI card) or the Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2 (an external USB2 device).

The Hauppauge solution is more expensive though (about $150.00 or so) but might be a bit easier for a newbie.

Here is a website with information on the Hauppauge WinTV PVR products:

http://www.shspvr.com/

Good Luck !!!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
No offense but none of the capture cards/devices you linked too are any good.

[lordsmurf]

Look for an ATI ALL IN WONDER (AIW) card off of eBay for about $40-60. High quality card, not a bad price. Be sure it's complete with purple cable, and is at least 7000 RADEON series or higher (not 128 series or older).

[John Paul]

Will that work with my onboard video?



Is this it? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/B00009KTMA/all/ref=dp_bb_a...144881-0972069





Thank you,
John

[lordsmurf]

Will that work with my onboard video?

Turn off your onboard (in BIOS), it's likely far inferior to the ATI cards anyway.

[John Paul]

So the capture card will drive the monitor too?



Thanks,
John

[BrainStorm69]

The ATI All-In-Wonder cards are combo cards...both a regular video card and a capture card.

[FulciLives]

Will that work with my onboard video?



Is this it? http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/B00009KTMA/all/ref=dp_bb_a...144881-0972069





Thank you,
John

This link is to a regular ATI video card. This card does not capture. You want one of the ATI AIW cards (All In Wonder) or sometimes they are called VIVO (Video In Video Out).

That ATI card linked to is NOT what you want!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman