Still image capture from VHS Composit

[crjackson]

I have a friend that asked me to build a computer for him (which I did). He said he wanted a "Snappy" device so I got him one/installed it.

It works like crap...

Now he explains that his MAIN desire for the computer is the ability to caputre STILL images from his home recorded VHS tapes.

Can someone PLEASE tell me what device will do this inexpensivly (must include software for still image capture).

He has an ATI TV Wonder (USB) - Not installed... I don't know if this device would do the still capture bit.

Adivce please.

PS: I had the very same ATI/USB device at one time, and promptly returned that piece of junk. I don't remember it doing STILL IMAGE capture. It may do it from an AVI file, but that would be the last resort since he only has a 10GB HD from his old computer.

PPS: It's a windows xp-pro / Athlon system.

[fmctm1sw]

I have a friend that asked me to build a computer for him (which I did). He said he wanted a "Snappy" device so I got him one/installed it.

It works like crap...

Now he explains that his MAIN desire for the computer is the ability to caputre STILL images from his home recorded VHS tapes.

Can someone PLEASE tell me what device will do this inexpensivly (must include software for still image capture).

He has an ATI TV Wonder (USB) - Not installed... I don't know if this device would do the still capture bit.

Adivce please.

PS: I had the very same ATI/USB device at one time, and promptly returned that piece of junk. I don't remember it doing STILL IMAGE capture. It may do it from an AVI file, but that would be the last resort since he only has a 10GB HD from his old computer.

PPS: It's a windows xp-pro / Athlon system.

Use any old tv tuner card (cheap) to capture an AVI file. You'll have to use some form of compression or work the VHS material in chunks since you only have 10GB to work with though. Then use virtualdub and select "copy frame to clipboard" under the "video" menu. The paste it into MSPAINT. Instant bitmap....... I do it all the time...

[crjackson]

As simple as this is, he want's software that will just let him click and save the frame to a gallery or something as it passes through.

What's a good cheap tuner card for that anyway? And do you know of any such software.

I think he's going to install the newest ati tv wonder/usb drivers and try that again.

If this fails can you make a suggestion for a good (cheap) hardware/software solution for this?

[fmctm1sw]

As simple as this is, he want's software that will just let him click and save the frame to a gallery or something as it passes through.

What's a good cheap tuner card for that anyway? And do you know of any such software.

I think he's going to install the newest ati tv wonder/usb drivers and try that again.

If this fails can you make a suggestion for a good (cheap) hardware/software solution for this?

Good grief! Select a frame as it plays 30 of them a second! I don't know of anything like that off the top of my head. I have a wintv fm radio card ($60 ebay with which I can cap at 720x480 with the right driver) and virtualdub (free). I guess I'm kind of limited to 640x480 though to keep the aspect ratio correct. Cheap, but it's a poor man's digital camera for me.....

[crjackson]

If you are familar with WinDVD 4, it has a snap-shot function that will grab a fram on the fly if you want.

He saw me do this and that's what he's looking for. A way to do this with VHS.

Now I'm on the shit list until I figure a way for him to do this. Any yes, the ATI TV Wonder USB will do this (at least with the win98 drivers). I tried one when it first came out, and it was crap for WinXP and regular motion video capture. I sent it back right away and bought a Pinnacle DC10+. THe Pinnacle does great for motion, but catching a sitll is another matter. Besides I'm looking for cheap.

I'm going to try his ATI TV Wonder again with the new (July '02) drivers/MM package for XP in a few days. Perhaps it will do the trick. I just need a plan B if it doesn't.