Best video capture card...

[bwgames]

I have a PVR anyway (Sky+ in the UK), and all my TV comes via it, so I don't need a TV Tuner, although one would be nice for the future...

What I'm looking to do is capture my PVR recorded films (via S-Video and composite audio (phono)) to my computer.
I currently have two cheapo capture cards (Mercury, and a *old* Hauppage WinTV), and the quality ain't great, especially via S-Video (which is from a digital source - the PVR)

Am looking for something to replace them, I like the look of the PVR-350 or 250, but its a tad expensive and perhaps overkill?
The Canopus ADVC-55 is also nice, but thats even more overkill?
Any recommendations, or am I not likely to get any better quality hardware wise?

Thanks....

[Abbadon]

Hi,

I have no idea what broadcast standard the uk satellite providers use, but you could take a look at DVB-S cards that come with cam module and are able to use a legally subscribed smart card, they have the ability to record directly to mpeg, they quality is somewhat better.

A good pick is hauppauge:

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/prods_digital-s.html

There is also a relatively new card called: Vision Plus/Twinhan VP1030A PCI, this one has a cam module.

You need to find out if the standard used in your country is compatible with though.

[bwgames]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that!

However, its not really what I want, all my recordings are stored on the Sky+ unit which is basically a satallite receiver and PVR in one, and it won't function as a PVR without the smart card. Not only that, I wouldn't be able to get the recordings off the PVR to DVD/AVI which is my main objective.

Great suggestion though, and one I'll bear in mind for the future!

[TaoTeWingChun]

Do you have a camcorder with analog-digital pass-thru capabilities? If so, I'd use that to hook to the PVR , then use firewire out to the computer. Instant conversion and capturing capabilities, in real-time too.

Best Wishes!

[Abbadon]

The DVB-S cards are installed in your computer just as any TV Tuner PCI card, you can record directly to mpeg2, from there you could even create DVDs if you have a DVD-Burner.

[bwgames]

I don't have a camcorder no

Thanks abbadon, but I really need a good quality s-video/phono capture card, - is what I'm after...

Anyone got any recommendations for those?