First Time Capture

[Lem Motlow]

First of all, thanks for the great forum! I've been reading posts over the past couple of months to try to gain an understanding of all of this.

I finally broke down and bought a new computer capable of handling video capturing, etc. I had it built with a AIW card since I needed a powerful video card for gaming and the capturing piece if it really didn't cost that much more. My main purpose is to convert old 8mm video to DVD- I will not be doing a lot of editing outside of cutting out unwanted footage. I had also considered using a DVD recorder for capturing, which I still may do as that would free up the computer for other uses.

I have been experimenting the last week or so with the features of the AIW and MMC and taking a few short captures to try to see the differences in the settings and how that effects the quality. I have also visited digitalfaq.com to read about the ATI cards and settings. Today, I captured about a half hour of video in one shot using settings recommended at digitalfaq.com- I think it was the "Movie" setting I found on that site. I burned the disc using Nero and for the first time through, I thought the results were pretty good.

I would say that my DVD copy when played on the same TV has about 90% of the quality of the source. It's not too bad and better than any tape to tape copy I have made. I guess I really don't undersand what to shoot for in this regard. Would this be acceptable to most folks, or is it possible to get the quality to a point that the digital copy is almost the same as the analog source?

Thanks!

[Tommyknocker]

With a somple capture card, your results would be limited. You can always hedge your bet by capturing DV, but you would need a camera with pass through, or a time based corrector.

[thecoalman]

With a somple capture card, your results would be limited. You can always hedge your bet by capturing DV, but you would need a camera with pass through, or a time based corrector.

I hear the pitter patter of a little blue guy......


If it's close that the best you ask for without additional video equipment. Glad your having success with the ATI, many including myself have had trouble with it.

[Epicurus8a]

I hear the pitter patter of a little blue guy......

Fo Shizzle!