Video capture card for camcorder tapes?

star1_2

I have the Pinnacle USB Studio box (but the older version - which does analogue input only) .... this is a link to their latest unit (which seams to support firewire too) http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPC-Studio_MovieBox_Deluxe_v9 - It's expensive but good.

PC Tuner cards can be good - but just check the resolution they capture at, make sure it matches or exceeds the resolution of the output of the input source (ie. your 8mm camcorder)

Regarding DVD recorders - they are good, quick and simple to use - but being able to edit (comparable to a PC) is close to impossible. Providing the input material has been edited and you don't want to add menus, titles - a DVD recorded is worth considering - one with a HDD will allow you to 'dump' all your home movies to HDD - then 'burn' the recordings you want ....

Poppycat

I agree star1 about standalone dvd writers, very easy to use but difficult to edit, and really need to import the vobs (files on dvd-r) to software on pc. However often the video has to be edited either via tv/capture card or via standalone dvd writer. Also bear in mind that video need plenty of ram and hard drive space and wherever possible you need to be using NTFS (the file system for XP) some pc's still use Fat32 and there is contraints on the amount of filesize you use. Its very easy to get large files greater than 4gb when editing. A decent pc is also required I would say minimum is 2gb with 512mb ram or greater and a reasonable video card not the builtin types with cheap all in one motherboards.

finn

star1 wrote:

I have the Pinnacle USB Studio box (but the older version - which does analogue input only) .... this is a link to their latest unit (which seams to support firewire too) http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPC-Studio_MovieBox_Deluxe_v9 - It's expensive but good.

PC Tuner cards can be good - but just check the resolution they capture at, make sure it matches or exceeds the resolution of the output of the input source (ie. your 8mm camcorder)

Regarding DVD recorders - they are good, quick and simple to use - but being able to edit (comparable to a PC) is close to impossible. Providing the input material has been edited and you don't want to add menus, titles - a DVD recorded is worth considering - one with a HDD will allow you to 'dump' all your home movies to HDD - then 'burn' the recordings you want ....

Thanks again Star 21

What is the normal resolution output for camcorder tapes?

Matt

blinky

Best place for info is www.videohelp.com

Lots of tutorials, links to important software packages and helpful forums.