Video editing and video cards

[bmbsa]

Hi there,

do I need a "superior" graphics card like ATI Radeon X1950 XTX for video editing or it doesn't matter to use any VGA card?

Is it better to capture video from the video capture cards (like Pinnacle Pro One) or directly from satellite cards (like SkyStar 2)?

Thanks

[mats.hogberg]

The grapics card is only responsible for outputing the GFX to your monitor, so is (with some rare exceptions) not involved in anything else video related such as editing.

/Mats

[bmbsa]

Thanks Mats, so editing and rendering video is something related to the CPU and RAM.

Can anybody guide me to the best option for capturing video? (TV Tuner Cards or DVB PCI cards)

Thanks

[olyteddy]

<<<----Start with the list over there? Just remember the comments are opinion and not necessarily the gospel truth.

[mats.hogberg]

My experience is mostly limited to TV tuners - where I'm very pleased with my Hauppage PVR 250 PCI card. I'd think most Hauppage PVR cards/USB devices with hardware mpeg2 encoding are and behave basically the same. As for satellite - no idea!

/Mats

[Guiboche]

Well if you're serious about editing, then you'll definitely want to get some kind of editing card.

An editing card is unrelated to graphics. It's soul purpose is to control video entering and leaving your PC through your editor (avid, final cut, premiere, etc).

CPU and RAM do help editing, but an editing card in a slow CPU can turn it into a real-time powerhouse.

I know of some TV stations that run the old Avid Media Composer Hardware on Mac OS 9 from 1996!

Suggestion, I'd start by looking at the Matrox hardware if you're running Premiere Pro
http://www.matrox.com/video/home.cfm

Also, careful what you choose if you want 24p. A lot don't support it.

[edDV]

Maybe you should better describe the type of video you want to edit and the sources (tuner, camcorder, download files?)

The display card can help with playback of specific compression standards like MPeg2.

Most video "editing" is software based thus relies on the CPU and memory. It is possible to add real time video hardware for specific purposes.

[bmbsa]

Well if you're serious about editing, then you'll definitely want to get some kind of editing card.

An editing card is unrelated to graphics. It's soul purpose is to control video entering and leaving your PC through your editor (avid, final cut, premiere, etc).

CPU and RAM do help editing, but an editing card in a slow CPU can turn it into a real-time powerhouse.

I know of some TV stations that run the old Avid Media Composer Hardware on Mac OS 9 from 1996!

Suggestion, I'd start by looking at the Matrox hardware if you're running Premiere Pro
http://www.matrox.com/video/home.cfm

Also, careful what you choose if you want 24p. A lot don't support it.

Thanks..

My CPU is Core 2 Duo E6600, it's fast but I need more speed.

I usually edit video using Vegas and Premiere Pro. I really don't know what do u mean by an editing card, is it the same as video card?

[bmbsa]

Maybe you should better describe the type of video you want to edit and the sources (tuner, camcorder, download files?)

The display card can help with playback of specific compression standards like MPeg2.

Most video "editing" is software based thus relies on the CPU and memory. It is possible to add real time video hardware for specific purposes.

The video I want to edit is the captured video from my TV tuner card.

what do you mean by real-time video hardware?

BTW: for me, capturing & editing video is more important than video playback.

[edDV]

Maybe you should better describe the type of video you want to edit and the sources (tuner, camcorder, download files?)

The display card can help with playback of specific compression standards like MPeg2.

Most video "editing" is software based thus relies on the CPU and memory. It is possible to add real time video hardware for specific purposes.

The video I want to edit is the captured video from my TV tuner card.

what do you mean by real-time video hardware?

BTW: for me, capturing & editing video is more important than video playback.

You seem to have a Core2 Duo machine so your options are many.

Your basic need is a tuner card or device to bring video into your machine. For simple PAL reception the first choice is tuner card or external device that encoders MPeg2 internally or one that encodes in software.

Check out the Hauppauge line of tuners
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/prods.html

Look specifically at the WinTV Go like (basic cards)
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/compare/compare_pci.html

And the PVR devices that are designed for automating capture without loading your CPU.
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/compare/compare_pvr.html

Editing software is extensive
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=8#8

If you want a name, a good starter package is.
ULead Video Studio
http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

[bmbsa]

Maybe you should better describe the type of video you want to edit and the sources (tuner, camcorder, download files?)

The display card can help with playback of specific compression standards like MPeg2.

Most video "editing" is software based thus relies on the CPU and memory. It is possible to add real time video hardware for specific purposes.

The video I want to edit is the captured video from my TV tuner card.

what do you mean by real-time video hardware?

BTW: for me, capturing & editing video is more important than video playback.

You seem to have a Core2 Duo machine so your options are many.

Your basic need is a tuner card or device to bring video into your machine. For simple PAL reception the first choice is tuner card or external device that encoders MPeg2 internally or one that encodes in software.

Check out the Hauppauge line of tuners
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/prods.html

Look specifically at the WinTV Go like (basic cards)
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/compare/compare_pci.html

And the PVR devices that are designed for automating capture without loading your CPU.
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/compare/compare_pvr.html

Editing software is extensive
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=8#8

If you want a name, a good starter package is.
ULead Video Studio
http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

Thanks alot, I highly appreciate your response.

but I am thinking of using DVB-S Cards (like Sky Star 2) instead of TV tuner cards in order to have more control over capturing video. for example, when I need to set a timer, or to capture from a channel that's not being watched by others on the TV screen.

Would this type of cards give the same or better quality than normal tuner cards?