PCI Video Capture Cards

[calabasa]

Computer Surplus Outlet has MediaPhone PCI Video capture cards for only $5.99. Shipping is $8. But, it still is a pretty good deal. The bad thing is, the cards only work under Windows 95 and 98. No drivers for Win2k, but they may still be of use to someone.

Find it at <A HREF="http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com">http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com</A>.

[CiViC]

That's pretty good for the price...oh well, I already have an aiw128, so no need for this..

[Justin42]

Hey, CiViC, did you see my reply post to you about how to make VCDs with your AIW 128? I posted it and it got buried fast under a bunch of deals and I lost track of the thread...

[AJ]

I guess i dont know that much about these things...is this the same as a "video in" to watch TV and save TV clips on yoru computer???

[psycho-]

How to make VCDs? Direct hardware MPEG Encoding is the way to go :P

Victor

------------------
Victor
http://psychokid.com
http://rurouni.org

[fsck]

uhhhhhhh *cough*

Audioactive uses Frauenhoff IIS

[CiViC]

Justin: nope..thought you just ignored me or something...

Well, I just did a search on Justin42, and found the correct thread...thanks for the info! http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif

Here it is if anyone wants to take a look at it: http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/002007.html

I'll try it later tonight and let you know how it turns out...

[This message has been edited by CiViC (edited 06-22-2000).]

[fsck]

SHIPPING IS 5 dollars. They want you to choose the 8 dollar option but you can select the US Postal mail for $5

Also, if anybody knows anything else please advise.


i am guessing that they are stripped from a kit that I found on another site
http://www.directbuy.com.sg/video_conference_kit__main_page.htm

but it looks semi-promising. I just wonder if it doest at least 352*240*29.97FPS (NTSC) or better yet 352*288*25FPS (PAL)

Heck i would settle for even 352*240*23FPS (FILM)

besides, I would much prefer AVI output.. Panasonic Mpeg Encoder does a far far superior job than all of the hardware based encoders. Try comparing two identical files and you will see. (www.vcdhelper.com did a review on this)

For those who do lots of video capture I reccomend virtual dub because of its great code optimization. the program speaks for itself)


[This message has been edited by fsck (edited 06-22-2000).]

[psycho-]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fsck:
Panasonic Mpeg Encoder does a far far superior job than all of the hardware based encoders. Try comparing two identical files and you will see. (www.vcdhelper.com did a review on this)

]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was looking at that, and I couldn't find any information of hardware mpeg (true direct to Mpeg) encoding vs. the panasonic encoder.

i personally use a futuretel card. Awesome stuff used by Video Pros. sorta expensive. I got mine cheap at 300 dollars >_<, and I only did this for VCD making. http://www.futuretel.com/

I really can't see how AVI (probably to some codec) converted to Mpeg (two layers of compression/decompression) can be better than professional hardware compression. Please do tell

------------------
Victor
http://psychokid.com
http://rurouni.org

[fsck]

http://www.denon.com/MPEGHardware.htm

they touch upon why in this article... software based encoding can use a combination of tons of techiques to make the finished product as high of quality as can be. just like not all mp3s that are encoded with the same bitrate and sampling sound the same... if you wanted AudioActive Production Studio to encode a decent quality mp3 it would take hardly any time but when you tell it to force extremely high quality it takes like 5 times longer but produces a file the same size but much much clearer.

[psycho-]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fsck:
http://www.denon.com/MPEGHardware.htm

they touch upon why in this article... software based encoding can use a combination of tons of techiques to make the finished product as high of quality as can be. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Heh, now you're comparing video mastering servers to that of normal PC boards. The algorithm on the Denon systems, as well as mpeg 2 mastering systems are much more advanced. Unless you have a server farm, I don't see a feasibility in that for a normal user. On the other hand, something like a personal s/w system won't be as fast (duh) and the algorithm probably isn't nearly as good (otherwise, you'd need a server farm for it, and all professionals would be using that method).

It's sorta like comparing apples to oranges

BTW, Audioactive sucks. I personally prefer the Faunhofer IIS codec hands down

------------------
Victor
http://psychokid.com
http://rurouni.org

[psycho-]

Ugh..yah, for some reason I was thinking of Xing's audiocatalyst....dunno why....Anyways, Xing's Audiocatalyst sucks



------------------
Victor
http://psychokid.com
http://rurouni.org

[fsck]

I agree 100%.. i threw Xing Mp3 encoder , audio catalyst, and Mpeg encoder in garbage.

AudioActive Production Studio is the bomb but @ 350 or so dollars a copy its on the tad expensive side (unless u get everything warez and then $$ is not an issue)

[CiViC]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Justin42:
Hey, CiViC, did you see my reply post to you about how to make VCDs with your AIW 128? I posted it and it got buried fast under a bunch of deals and I lost track of the thread...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Justin42!!! Man, I hope you read this...IT WORKS!!! Jesus...this is the reason I purchased my aiw128, and direct encoding is pretty damn good too. Mine came with MMC 6.3, so the registry edits were slightly different, but pretty much the same...I seriously can't believe this works...!!! I have a p3 500/192mb pc100 ram, and 20 seems to work fine for me.

[fsck]

looking back to that previous post i think civic was talking about I noticed this same card (MediaPhone) that someone made a link to. on compgeeks its twenty bucks so 10 bux after shipping at the site above is great. like it says its win95/98 only but oh well i can deal with it
http://www.compgeeks.com/cgi-bin/details.asp?cat=MultiMedia&sku=205-4447

Just noticed they jacked this card to 30 bux now. hah. oh well congrats to all those who walked away with this card for 10 bux (5 bux + 5 bux shipping)




[This message has been edited by fsck (edited 06-23-2000).]

[Justin42]

Civic-- very glad it worked!! Glad to know it isn't just me. Can't tell you how many times I've been told that *shouldn't* work (by people who don't try it). Best one is when ATI tells me, period, there is *no way* to make a VCD compliant capture.

I've been quite happy with the quality. If you can do ME=20 on your P3/500, I think it's time for me to do my CPU upgrade to a P3/800 and be able to quit worrying about it!!

You don't happen to have a way of putting the MMC 6.3 files somewhere I could snag them, do you?

[Y2J]

hey Calabasa

you wouldn't happen to be from Calabasas? Would you?

[calabasa]

Uh no. The name is just a coincidence.

[CiViC]

Yeah, on iRC people just said the quality's gonna be horrible, like that MPEGVCR crap...but your way is unbelievable. Only downside is I can't fast-forward the file..I captured my sister's high school graduation and burned it, works fine in my dvd player, i gotta check to see if i can skip to other parts now..

How fast are you? I'm 56k, but if you have a decent speed I might be able to go to college for a little while so I can send it over...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Justin42:
Civic-- very glad it worked!! Glad to know it isn't just me. Can't tell you how many times I've been told that *shouldn't* work (by people who don't try it). Best one is when ATI tells me, period, there is *no way* to make a VCD compliant capture.

I've been quite happy with the quality. If you can do ME=20 on your P3/500, I think it's time for me to do my CPU upgrade to a P3/800 and be able to quit worrying about it!!

You don't happen to have a way of putting the MMC 6.3 files somewhere I could snag them, do you?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>