How to best capture analog video?

[gb14820]

I am capturing some old Hi8 analog video by passing it through my Sony digital camcorder. I am using the Ulead VideoStudio software.

VideoStudio does not allow me to use the DVD default setting of a frame size of 720 by 480; I have been able to download the video using a smaller frame size.

What are the optimal settings for capturing analog video?

Thanks

[thebatjeep]

sorry that im not answering your Q, but mine was similar.

I want to convert old VHS home movies to DVD+R i transfered to MiniDV from my VHS then firewire into my PC, but i also have an ATI TV wonder PCI card. HD space is not aproblem (20gb HD devoted soley to editing, and an extra 6gb partition if needed on my 80gb drive) if i want the best quality transfers what should i use? thanks all

[sammie]

@gb14820. I use pretty much the same setup, use the Sony Dig-8 to play the hi-8 tape and firewire to capture. Never had the problem you mention. Don't know if it's a ULead thing. Maybe try the DVIO program listed under the tools section. A great simple free program. Also let's you capture to DV2 which makes most of the other programs happier working with your DV file.

@TheBatJeep. I use both. For most things I just use the ATI All in Wonder. I've read, and I THINK i see a bit of color loss from DV. Plus, until I found the DVIO program mentioned above I had to use DV1 and I didn't like the tool choices it locked me into. For tapes where frame loss was a problem, in my case only things like bright light flashes or tape glitches, I would go with the Sony as a pass through firewire capture device. Seems to eliminate those problems. I also find that now that I can capture to DV2, I use the digital passthrough more and more.