Looking for a good video capture hardware/software

[MDesigner]

I'm looking at getting this package:

http://www.adstech.com/product..._intro.asp?pid=API-555

What I plan to do is to run my Xbox's component cables into this thing and record game footage (w/ audio). If anyone knows of anything better within the same price range ($150'ish), let me know.

 

[DaveSimmons]

That box captures to DV, what format do you want to end up in?

If you want MPEG2 for DVD, it might be better to use an S-Video connection to a Hauppage PVR-150 PCI card.

If you want some PC video format like divx then you might as well transcode from DV instead of MPEG2.

 

[MDesigner]

Hey.. I'm not too familiar with DV format.. what is it exactly? is it pure uncompressed digital video?
I suppose it doesn't matter what format it's in, because I have all the tools necessary for converting video (TMPGEnc, VirtualDubMod, etc.).

My process will be: capture game footage from Xbox, save in some movie format. Load movie into my music sequencing application and compose music over that footage. Save music to .wav file. Merge video and .wav into one video file, burn that to DVD.

PS, component video cables (RGB) are higher quality than S-video.. the Pyro A/V Link supports component inputs which is a big plus. It will get the best quality possible from the Xbox (480/720p).

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
Hey.. I'm not too familiar with DV format.. what is it exactly? is it pure uncompressed digital video?
I suppose it doesn't matter what format it's in, because I have all the tools necessary for converting video (TMPGEnc, VirtualDubMod, etc.).

My process will be: capture game footage from Xbox, save in some movie format. Load movie into my music sequencing application and compose music over that footage. Save music to .wav file. Merge video and .wav into one video file, burn that to DVD.

PS, component video cables (RGB) are higher quality than S-video.. the Pyro A/V Link supports component inputs which is a big plus. It will get the best quality possible from the Xbox (480/720p).

From the specs of that device:

Capture Resolution:
NTSC: 720 x 480 @ 30 frames per second

You'll only be capturing 480i with that box, even over component (although, in theory, PQ should be better than a capture via S-Video). Believe me, anything capable of capturing HD video costs a *lot* more than this.

DV is an uncompressed (or possibly VERY slightly compressed; I'd have to check) digital video format. You would need to convert it to MPEG2 to burn it to DVD (assuming you want something playable on a DVD player).

 

[MDesigner]

I assume TMPGEnc can convert DV to MPEG2? If so, then I have no problems with the Pyro A/V Link unit.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
I assume TMPGEnc can convert DV to MPEG2? If so, then I have no problems with the Pyro A/V Link unit.

Yes, TMPGEnc will convert DV to MPEG2.