Video Capture Devices...USB or Integrated Video Card???

[Starbuck1975]

I am in the process of selecting components for an upcoming upgrade...three years ago, I purchased an ATI All in Wonder, with the intent of converting home movies to DVD...unfortunately my system at the time, and the software available, was not up to the task.

Since I am upgrading, and DVD authoring software has infinitely improved, I am approaching my next build with the intent of video capture in mind.

My initial choice was to go with a eVGA Geforce 7800GT for the graphics card and a Plextor ConvertX USB PX-TV402U-NA.

However, it appears that the ATI X1900 is now the king of the hill, and I believe they have an All in Wonder version available.

In terms of video capture and encoding, is it better to have an integrated All in Wonder solution...or even if I go with the ATI X1900, should I still keep the video capture device independent with the Plextor USB ConvertX?

 

[Peter]

Neither. Inexpensive PCI TV card, like KWorld's 7131E, and you're sorted, free in your choice of encoder software (whereas USB devices encode to MPEG2 before even entering the PC), and free to choose any graphics card you please, now and in the future.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Neither. Inexpensive PCI TV card, like KWorld's 7131E, and you're sorted, free in your choice of encoder software (whereas USB devices encode to MPEG2 before even entering the PC), and free to choose any graphics card you please, now and in the future

Fair enough...so if I go with a PCI solution, what software suite would you recommend.

 

[Peter]

That is for someone else to answer - I'm the hardware recommending guy

 

[Wheezer]

Great site for info

Checkout the forums

 

[Starbuck1975]

Wow...those are both phenomenal resources...looks like its back to research mode for me.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Neither. Inexpensive PCI TV card, like KWorld's 7131E, and you're sorted, free in your choice of encoder software (whereas USB devices encode to MPEG2 before even entering the PC), and free to choose any graphics card you please, now and in the future

Some of the higher end external capture devices, particularly the firewire devices by Canopus, come highly recommended...but they also come at a price premium.

Anyone have experience with the Canopus line of video capturing devices, and if so, how good is the quality over say a PCI solution.

 

[scottws]

So how are these videos stored?

I have a Sony camera that does Digital 8. It has a firewire port. So does my Audigy. I just bought a firewire cable to connect the two and can capture video that way. I didn't have to buy a capture card or anything like that.

I use Nero Vision for DVD authoring. It's pretty good. I've used ULead tools as well and thought they sucked.

 

[Starbuck1975]

I have a collection of about 30 home movies on mini-VHS cassettes that I would have to capture through a device.