Video Card Help!!

[baffled111]

Hello Helpful People,

I hope I'm putting this message in the right place-- apologies if this is the wrong forum.

I am about to build a new computer system and I want to be able to
rip and convert DVDs to VCD. Do I need to get a particular kind
of video card in order to do this? I don't have a digital cam or
anything like that, so I don't think I need a capture component on the
card-- or do I? Would I be able to do everything related to ripping,
editing and converting with an ATI Radeon 8500LE?

Please advise me! I'm confused

Thanks for your help,
Baffled

[davemcg37]

you dont need any particular type of video card to rip dvd's to vcd. as long as it works and you can see your screen its ok. hope this helps

[neomaine]

Maybe, but...

Here goes the explanation of my answer:

There are two main ways of getting that movie to VCD:

- Ripping: This is what you are referring to in your post. The process is basically, copy dvd files (vob's) to hard drive from dvd-rom, massage it, re-encode to VCD specs, burn to CDR(W). So, other than being able to see the programs (and to boot your pc) you do not need a capture card whether it has a tv tuner or not. Any regular video card will do.
Results: very good to excellent

- Capture: This is taking the dvd and playing it on a standalone DVD player and capturing the video to the hard drive. This will require a card, not necessarily part of your video card, that can capture video. Much like recording to a VCR. If not captured directly to VCD specs, then you would treat it like a rip and use the same process. I think its safe to say that people who use this method capture directly to VCD specs for the time savings.
Results: good to very good

Also, don't forget to look at the 'WHAT IS' and 'HOW TO' sections for some very excellent and specific help on what you're trying to do. Everyone has their reasons for their own methods of re-encoding and capture. Find the one that best fits your ability, time, and patience.

[baffled111]

Excellent. Thank you very much for your help!!

Cheers,
Baffled

[baffled111]

Ooops... Subsidiary question.

Ripping will work with any DVD-rom drive, right? I'm looking at getting the Lite-on 16x... This shouldn't create any problem should it?

Thanks again,
Baffled