• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

recording video on PC

C

CSMR

Golden Member
How do you record video on a PC?
I know how to do this with audio: mic, preamp, adc maybe, soundcard.
With video how does it work?

Obviously a camcorder will work, using the camcorder storage (miniDV etc) and then transferring. But the camcorder storage medium, controls, processing are unneccesary costs. And transferring an unnecessary step. And then adding audio is tricky, unless you use compromised camcorder audio.
There are webcams, but the quality is targeted (I presume) for low-resolution web streaming.

Thanks for any info.
 
VIVO video card/video capture card. You can buy a standalone capture card or you can get a video card that supports Video In,Video Out.
 
And to get the video in the first place?
VIVO seems to give analog video in, but isn't the output of CCDs digital in some way?
 
Your not very clear in what your looking for. Is your video source TV? DVD? VHS? analog camcorder? digital camcorder? something else?

If your looking to record TV, you will need a TV tuner card. Like an ATi All in Wonder or TV wonder card.

If your looking to record from a DVD, all you need is a DVD drive in your computer and the appropriate software to rip the video to your hard drive.

If your looking to record from VHS or analog camcorder, you will need a TV tuner card like for TV, or a video card that has VIVO (video in video out) capabilities and a good sound card.

If your looking to record from a digital camcorder, most camcorders use firewire or USB to directly transfer the digital files to your hard drive.
 
I am looking to record real life!
I do not have a video source; that is what I am looking for.
A camcorder has unnecessary components which would bump up the cost - storage medium, processing, battery. I am looking for a camcorder without these components but with a PC connection. Is there such a thing?
In the audio world you have separate microphones rather than microphone/preamp/adc/storage combinations. Is video less componentised?
 
Your best bet, in that case, would probably be a webcam of some level of quality. The various USB 1.1 jobbies are cheap, relatively poor quality, and tend to have ghastly drivers(especially if you aren't running Windows. I'm rather full of hate about mine right now; but hey, they're cheap.) USB 2.0 webcams are better quality, generally, and more expensive. Firewire webcams are the cream of the crop(unless you count really, really expensive scientific instruments, prosumer kit, nice security hardware, and the like). The Isight is the best known, but others exist. They should all use the IEEE1394 standard for video transfer, so you don't have to worry about ghastly driver issues(all modern OSs support them with minimal fuss). You could also obtain an IP webcam, essentially a webcam with built in web server, which can be very handy for network surveillance purposes, and is typically very platform independent, as all interaction is via a set of common server standards.
Your other option is to obtain an analog capture card and an analog video source. This is generally a poor idea(as the analog video source will cost about as much as the webcam, and you'll still need to buy the capture card) unless you can find a nice surplus security camera or something, in which case you may well be able to get rather a lot of quality for not too much money.

The following links are offered as examples, not as well researched best options(sorry, I've not shopped for cameras recently).

El-cheapo webcam: http://www.provantage.com/buy-7mcrc003-...igital-web-cameras-ic100c-shopping.htm

Niceish webcam: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5173110113&refid=store

Webcam that doesn't suck(too much): http://store.yahoo.com/usb-shop/firdigcamfor.html

IP webcam: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=650

Happy hunting for a good price on decent analog gear.

I hope that was of some use.
 
Those "extra" components as you call them allows you to take your CCD with you, so if you are planning on capturing "real life" more than a few feet from your PC, or want anything close to decent PQ, get a miniDV and use firewire to transfer from the tape to your PC...they are quite a bargain for what you get, and what you can produce.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top