Isn't it just best to capture with a DV camcorder?

[Valnar]

Maybe I'm late to the game with this topic, but my mind just exploded with ideas when somebody mentioned using a MiniDV camcorder as a passthrough device for capturing video.

I am assuming if you get the right DV camcorder, this would work--

Connect your source VCR or other such analog source via S-video to a MiniDV camcorder and forward the output through the firewire connection to your PC. Audio goes to sound card as usual.

Advantages:
1) ADC done in high-quality MiniDV camcorder instead of lower cost video capture board
2) All video is captured at 720x480 (NTSC) without having to worry about dropouts
3)No fudging with AVI_IO or VirtualDub programs to get the settings just perfect to avoid #2
4) A slower PC would work fine, as long as it has firewire card
5) Firewire card yes, but no longer need analog capture device.

Disadvantages:
1) Cost of a DV camcorder, unless you're planning on buying one anyway-- then just make sure you get a model that supports analog passthrough.
2) Possible degredation in quality capturing to DV format instead of uncompressed AVI format

Did I get it all? I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like a way to continue to capture/convert my VHS collection and I can retire my BT878 board and save a PCI slot.

Robert

[dood]

Yes and no.

DV format is my *second* favorite capture method. Easy editing, easy capturing, great quality. But it is a space hog and still must be software encoded to MPEG or MPEG2 which is very time consuming.

MPEG2 is my preferred method (using my ADS Instant DVD). I use this for most projects 'cause there's no further encoding required.

But yes, DV capture is a great method...much better than AVI IMO.

Dood

[Shabubu]

This is a viable option, but if you thought AVI took up a lot of space then wait till DV, also the cost of the digital camera is very prohibitive, if you have one great (if it supports pass-tru), but if you don't your better off spending £40 on a cap card.

[dood]

Actually, DV *is* a compressed format. Not as compressed as MPG2, but it takes more space than avi.

[Shabubu]

I know it's compressed, but compared to a standard avi cap it takes up a hell of a lot more space.

[Sulik]

DV is comparable to I-frame only MPEG2 encoded at 15Mbps.
However, audio is only 32kHz uncompressed.

[jtor]

================================================== ========
However, audio is only 32kHz uncompressed.
================================================== ========
Are you referring to audio in DV? I'm getting it at 48KHz.

And for clarification, DV is stored in your HD as AVI also, just using a different kind of 'dress' (DV codec).

Yes, DV consumes a lot of HD space, approx 13GB/hour, big deal. You can just go out and buy a bigger capacity HD.