posted
My husband wants a video capture setup for Christmas. I don't know what to look for. We have analog video camera 8mm (about a year old). Will any capture card work or does it need to specify analog?
We want to be able to take our 8mm videos and make them into VCD's and eventually DVD's so we can send them to family and friends. We would also like to be able to make picture CD's that could be viewed on DVD players sort of like a slide show. Do I need special software for this or would it come with the capture card?
If anyone has any info. it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Amy, here's a list of some video capture devices.
Some are cards that you physically install into the machine (requires available slots), some are replacement video cards that have video input and capture software, others plug into your USB port.
posted
I used to work for a multi-media company and did all types and kinds of captures.
What capture device you pick depends on what your plans are with the capture piece(s). If your going out to Video CD (MPEG-1) then they have some inexpensive solutions. You will save time/energy if you find a capture card that does MPEG1 compression through hardware instead of software (hardware compression will cost you more).
If your plans are to go to DVD (MPEG2 and up)then you will be looking at much higher end capture cards.
You may already know this, but most DVD players will play VCD or SuperVCD and you wont have to jump to a dvd writer and an highend capture card.
For MPEG1 capture devices look at CompUSA and you will see several choices varying in price and software bundles. If higher resolution capturing is needed (D1) then I would go with a Pinnicle brand board. They make all kinds of capure cards depending on what your needs will be.
If you will be doing simple editing with simple transitions then the bundled software will be o.k. If your needs are more complex (ie, compositing various graphics, and movie special effects(2d) then you might want to go with Adobe After Effects (like photoshop on steriods...very nice) or Adobe Premeire (video editing) or Sonic Foundry Video Vegas (video editing). If you really get into capturing video you might even want to go with Sound Forge or a simular program, so you can edit the audio tracks much easier. Built into most video editing software is the ability to manipulate the audio, but if you have to do alot mixing and editing its tools fall short of the bar.
Dont forget that you will need massive storage space for your capture videos (The capture board ususally captures the video uncompressed which takes up lots of space even at 352x240 (MPEG-1)).
How hope this made some sense...
Good Luck, Steve
-------------------- Steve Smith Tag Signs, Inc Alpharetta,GA Posts: 20 | From: Alpharetta,GA | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've heard the All-in-wonder cards are good for capturing from analog cameras. I've just started dabbling into this myself. I picked up a DV camera and am capturing through firewire. The big stumbling block for me has been the quality of video when making a vcd. When editing on the PC, everything looks great, but once it gets blown up to NTSC television size and onto a VCD, the quality gets very poor, probably worse than VHS quality. I belive it has alot to do with the quality of MPEG codec you use....I'm still learning myself, but it is fun.
-------------------- Bruce Evans Crown Graphics Chino, CA graphics@westcoach.net Posts: 913 | From: Chino, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Amy, I know this isn't really the direction you were heading, but I think it is the best ( although not the cheepest) solution for your video, and image sharing needs. It looks a little different, but is truly amazing when it comes to manipulating your video and pictures. The cheesey commercials are really telling the truth about how easy it is to create video, DVD's and organize, print, and share your photos. Ok, end of my mac sales routine. I'm going to go check my mailbox for a check from Apple now. Who knows right? lol
posted
Amy, as much as it will likely get me beat-up by Old Paint, I would have to agree with Jeff about the imac. All of my friends that have tried using their pc's for editing have been frustrated with it, whereas everyone who has the imac has nothing but great things to say about the video editing ease. Now, that's not to say that I think the mac will do a 'better' job of it, just that it will be much easier to use. I tried using Premiere once, and what a bear that was. Perhaps a used (old style) imac would be a good purchase for you, should be pretty cheap right about now. I don't think I'd spring for a brand new one just to edit video though. But it seems to me that by the time you get a decent capture card and software that you may as well have bought a used imac.
I dunno.
-shane
-------------------- Halo Graphics Clearlake Oaks, CA http://www.halographics.com ntshane1@halographics.com Posts: 308 | From: Clearlake Oaks, CA | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Just bought the Pinnacle Studio AV to do just what you're looking for. The card has inputs to hook up an analog camcorder. It comes with Pinnacle Studio Ver.8 which has the best reviews as far as I could tell in my research on the subject. The package was $129 and came with a $25 rebate.
Unfortunately, I haven't had time to actually try it out yet, but am planning on doing so over the holidays.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic