Video card w/ video capture, suggestions please

[Floyd]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for an integrated video card with video capture features and would like some guidance. It needs to be integrated because I can't devote two motherboard slots, and it's time to upgrade my video card anyway. Video capture is the most important thing (I don't play games at all, which probably makes me unpopular, but maybe you guys will help me anyway! ) Besides, hopefully it's safe to assume any card with video capture would be a decent general purpose 2D video card. So far I see my options as (in increasing cost):

Voodoo3 3500 16MB AGP ($100)
This card is attractive from a price standpoint, but I've read there are problems with the software MPEG compression it uses, limiting resolution and causing problems with audio/video sync. However all the reviews I've read were based on initial software & drivers releases which only supported DirectX 6.0. Anyone own this card, and if so, have new drivers and software fixed these issues? BTW, my system is a Celeron II 566 @ 850MHz, so I don't think processing power would be a limiting factor with the software MPEG compression, though one review alluded to video capture problems with a P3 500.

ATI All-in-Wonder Pro 32MB AGP ($150)
Reviews indicate good video capture performance, but prior experience with ATI cards have left me wondering if I can expect stable operation for general work. Have the drivers for this card matured to the point where it's a non-issue?

Matrox Marvel 8MB AGP ($230)
I know nothing of this card, except that it reportedly does video capture quite well. A bit pricey considering the amount of onboard RAM.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Floyd

BTW, I posted this in the Video forum earlier today, but it's not getting much attention over there. I tried to do the right thing, so go easy on me OK

 

[The Stigenator]

All in wonder Radeon *nuff said*

the video capture isnt the greatest like a proffessional card, but is good enough for most applications. I use S-Video (R/C) cable.

The ATI cards have much better capture to that of the DDDfx cards.
The Matrox is good, but personallly I prefer to atleast have a newer card.

If radeon is too expensive get the 128PRO version. If you get the Rage Fury PRO its got video capture on board - no tv tuner. Same case with the Radeon 64MB. Its not necessary to have the TV tuner if you arent going to capture stuff of Live TV.

 

[Warrenton]

Matrox Marvel G400-TV

Enough said there. 16MB G400 with video capture and an external TV tuner.

The Matrox video capture makes the ATI look like trash.

 

[Floyd]

The_good_guy, thanks for the suggestions. The Radeon All-in-Wonder is a nice chunk of change, so I will probably have to go for the 128Pro AIW. Again, gaming isn't my thing, so unless the Radeon offers something compelling for my purposes, I can't justify the cost.

Anybody else want to offer some advice?

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Floyd]

Warrenton, I was impressed with the reviews for the Matrox, but price is right up there with the ATI Radeon AIW. The least expensive on Pricewatch is $250, to say nothing of a reputable dealer Maybe I'm just expecting too much for my money, but frankly if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a card, I'd probably just spring for the Radeon since it has more impressive all-around features. Hope it doesn't sound like I'm trashing your recommendation, I just think it's probably too pricey for me. I see prices for video capture cards can climb in price very quickly, perhaps the Matrox is targeted for those who want semi-pro performance without hurting the pocketbook like the $1000+ pro cards.

[edit] Just realized the Matrox is a dual-head, which is nice...if I had an extra inch of desk space. [/edit]

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[CQuinn]

Floyd:


HardwareCentral recently did a review on the ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro
from the standpoint of someone who might be more interested in a decent
videocapture solution than on gaming performance:
Hardware Central AIW Pro

The Radeon AIW is supposed to be capable of much better video quality
thanks to features only on the Radeon chip. But whether that translates
to better video captures I cannot say until I get my hands on one.

Part of this decision also hinges on how soon you need/want to make the
purchase. The Radeon AIWs should become available after this week, and
that may drive the prices of the other models down a little.

An additional consideration (depending on what you plan to do with the card),
is the additional software bundle that comes with it. And support from the
companies. ATI seems to be concentrating on the Radeon, and current support
of the AIW 128 (and AIW 128 Pro) is on the back burner.
(the 'good' news is that the design for the Rage 4 and Rage 5 chips are similar
enough that a port of ATI's drivers from one to the other should be fairly easy)
I have all but given up on expecting any real support for their older AIW cards.
(I have an AIW Pro - 8Meg PCI - that will soon be upgraded to the AIW Radeon for
the newer features and drivers)


Edited again, I'll get the hang of these forums yet...

 

[Floyd]

Thanks CQuinn, that's just what I was looking for! Haven't had a chance to read the whole article yet, but I'll definitely do that later this evening. I'll update the thread a little later. Thanks again.

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[Radboy]

Have thrown together lessons learned from building system designed to edit video. Beyond ur scope, but u may be able to glean some helpful nuggets.

http://radified.com/DV_NLE/dv_nle_1.htm

I'd prolly do the Radeon AIW if I was gonna go intergrated, but have also heard good things about Matrox. Matrox prolly has best reputation for integrated. But, admittedly, I haven't researched integrated solutions much.