Hardware needed for VHS to divx/SVCD?

[iluvdeal]

I'd like to free up some space by converting my VHS tapes to divx or SVCD. I'm looking to spend under $200. My current setup is:

Celeron 1.2Ghz
768MB RAM
200GB hard drive
Radeon 7200


Is my CPU too slow? Also, I heard some digital video camcorders have video inputs and can be used as converters? I might be up for that if it's quicker and cost the same as upgrading my computer. Thanks for any help.

 

[PolskiKrol]

What you are looking for is a video capture card... you want to make sure it has inputs for audio/video rca connections or even coaxial. This will enable capturing the video you play on your vcr to mpeg format usually. You can then use ripping software to re-encode and compress the mpeg to avi divx. Try out newegg for video capture cards and you can to a google search for ripping software... will not recommend any software in particular since I am not sure if links to such software is acceptable.

 

[ams30gts]

definitely need a capture card. you can find a good one for pretty cheap.

this one is a good one.

Newegg


it can do real time conversion to svcd/dvd/avi etc

 

[tmarshallt]

Agreed. The capture card is good, but the software is what makes it better.
Some cheaper ones won't convert in real-time.-But most will

 

[mrgoblin]

Just make sure that you dont get sucked into some video encoding software. All the tools you need for expert svcd conversion are found free on the net