So many choices.....I'm in over my head...is there ONE that

[broderp]

Hello, my first post on the forum. I am a 32 year old Engineer and I enjoy building PC's and movies. I am PC literate, electrically literate.

I want to build a HTPC (Home Theatre PC) and be able to record cable, DVD as well as transfer my home movies (from Sony Hi8 camcorder) on to either DVD or VCD. But what I did not expect was there to be so many choices.

I was thinking of the Radeon ALL-IN-WONDER 32 MEG card from ATI (32M, DDR?) The Retail box states it can capture like a TIVO, and comes with TV TUNER, capture software as well as the ability to input just about every type of video device for video capture and recording.

I was also thinking about the HP DVD 100i DVD burner, but am not sure about what format to go with ( DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD+RW or DVD-RW) Also, wich formats are compatible with standard home DVD players?

Here is what I want to do:
-First off picture quality is paramount.
-Audio quality must be at LEAST CD quality (44.1K) is not Dolby Surround or Dolby Digital 5.1
-I need to be able to EDIT the capture, (to remove comercials from my recordings)
-I need to be able to create MENU'S and CHAPTERS (animated would be good, but not required). Basically I want to be able to jump to a scene quickly, like skipping chapters on a DVD.

I would like to basically record shows on VHS, or on the PC, as well as with my camcorder, and make VCD's or DVD'S out of them. I know VCD picture quality isn't as great as DVD, but then neither is my VHS recorder, so I am thinking I could save lots of money and make VCD's of the TV shows I want to save to watch later. (1 hour shows, less the comercials edited out=45 minutes.)

Any comments or recommendations? Keep in mind, I am technically savey, but new to all of this. What program(s) can I get to the things I need?

Is there a guide to step someone through EVERYTHING, including making chapters and menues?

Thanks.

I have tried to read through the thousands of bits of information, and have come up over welmed and lost.

[Macros746]

I hope this doesn't come across as too personal a question but how much money do you want to spend. I have the AIW and I really like it but if you are looking for amazing capture quality you might want to look elsewhere, particularly if you aren't a gamers (the AIW IS the best gaming/multimedia card). I guess I am hesitant to start the recommendations until I know what your financial limitations. Gimme a ballpark and we'll go from there.

Mark