Video editing video card suggestions...

[DGath]

Basically, I have all the components picked out with the exception of the video stuff. This is going to be just about top of the line system used for mostly video editing and DVD authoring.

2.8c
1 gig 3200 ram
ASUS P4C800 Deluxe-E

You get the idea. I'm leaning towards just getting a basic ATI all-in-wonder card, (like the 8500) to give the computer TIVO funtionality, and then getting an encoder card to save the cpu some juice. Most of the stuff if going to be taken from VHS and put onto DVD so a DV encoder like the Canopus ADVC-100 wouldn't be of much use, rather go with an MPEG-1/2 encoder card, right? Any suggestions for a good MPEG2 encoder?

Money isn't really that much of a concern, we're considering getting the Canopus DVStorm2, but I think that is overkill as we don't need that much functionality. We also might go with dual-monitor and that might be something to go into the decision making process.

Other question is... should we go with Windows 2000, XP, or XP MCE? Does Linux provide any good solutions for video editing? If we go with windows we'll definately be using Premiere.

Any suggestions?

 

[MDE]

I'd go with Windows XP (not too sure about Linux offerings). Most of the video editing workload is on the CPU (I think), so the video card isn't as critical unless you'll be gaming on the system, so an AIW 8500 should fit the bill nicely.

 

[thraxes]

Dazzle DVD Master, also known as Dazzle DVC II pro

Its an Analogue capture card that compresses directly to MPEG1 or 2. It has connectors for RCA and SVHS and Audio, has many modes including VCD, SVCD and DVD settings also includes a DVD authoring programm to burn the MPEG files to a DVD or SVCD.

The problem with MPEG2 is that Premiere can't read it (at least version 6 can't don't know about 7)

 

[quadcells]

Hello,
Well Premiere 6.5 can take in mpeg files but it will need to be rendered. I use Pinnacle DV500 DVD which the card can import from analog or firewire and export the same.
A co-worker bought the Dazzle 150 and it has been a bear to work with.
Dazzle has just been bought by Pinnacle, not sure what means for Dazzle owners.
You might want to go with the 9700 pro I think that one has dual display mode not (dual outputs, most ATI cards have dual output but not dual display)
The Geforce cards have dual out and dual display which great if you plan on getting into video editing.
A friend has the DVStorm2 and if I had the money I would upgrade to that.

 

[DGath]

Now that I think about it... is a few hundred $$$ mpeg2 encoder neccesary? I have an AIW 8500 and I capture TV to MPEG2 all the time using the software it came with. Is something like that just used to save the CPU some juice? Is the quality that much better?

 

[alexruiz]

I am not sure you need a top of the line card if most of your source will be VHS.... in fact, I doubt you will see any benefits to encode DVD when the source is going to be 320x240....... xVCD should be plenty!

I would suggest to get the BEST VCR available, you will need to extract the last ounce of quality from those VHS tapes..... My advice is software encoding, as very likely you will need to retouch or add filters to take out the noise, etc.....

Alex