Recording Video on the Computer

**hotman** · 05-23-2001, 11:34 AM

Hi,

I'm looking to transfer some VHS video footage onto the computer (a 1.3 gig PC). What is a basic and cheap set-up for both hardware and software? I assume I'd need some sort of video card to plug the VCR into + the software to capture the images.

your input is appreciated.

p.s. on a similar note, what's the diff. between a Digital and non-digital Camcorder?

**Bires** · 05-23-2001, 12:21 PM

you need an analog capture device (video and audio) and the software. I've been using ATI AllinWonders for about six years now, so I'm not up on the best vid capture cards out, and I'll not speculate.

Your second question is a little easier to answer:
A digital video camera send the data over a pure data line, usually FireWire, to the PC, resulting in an extremely clear picture.
A standard camera is analog and sends the video to the PC as though it were sending it to a TV. The PC then reads the image and records it much like a VCR. There is usually some clarity loss in the analog transfer.

Hope that helps a little.

BTW: I use MGI Videowave as my video editor-it's fairly easy to use. I've heard Adobe makes a really good one, if you're willing to spend some mucho denero.

**caddelma** · 05-23-2001, 12:25 PM

Well I am not an expert on this, but depending on the video card you it may have a video in. If not you can either buy a new video card such as an ATI Radeon with video-in/video out (All-in-wonder) or there are several geforce based cards with video-in/video out. Another option would be to get an add on card also known as a tuner card, such as made by ati. In most if not all cases you will have an rca video input on the card that will be fed by the vcr. For the sound you will need to feed the audio out of the vcr into your sound card. If it is a hi-fi vcr you will need a y-splitter with two male rca plugs on one end and a 1/8" STEREO male plug on the other plugged into the line-in of the sound card. some tuners may have a coaxial jack you could plug from the output of the vcr to the card, but I would think you would get better quality from the rca jacks. As far as software most retail tuners should come with the software needed. I am sure there are other options as well.

**skyline** · 05-23-2001, 05:13 PM

Since you just want to transferre VHS onto PC a video capture card can solve your problem easily if your video card doesn't have video in. Here are few brands of video capture card you can take a look ^^

Video capture card is all Hauppauge make, and this might be the easiest solution that you just hook up the anaglog cable(3 color video, L/R audio cable) to the card as you hook to the VCR! ^^ video capture program are of course included, but for more in depth editing you got to look for video editing software separately.
http://www.hauppauge.com/html/products.htm

Pinnacle is the PRO on video editing, so you can also take a look and compare with others ^^
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/homevideodivision.asp

**caddelma** · 05-24-2001, 04:58 AM

Don't know if this is good or not, but dealhunting had this system and it looks like a decent price:

http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=70002268

**hotman** · 05-24-2001, 06:50 AM

for your advice. I might just get that buy.com $50 tuner.

One more thing about digital camcorders: Before Bires' response, I had the impression that the main difference between the digital/non-digital camcorders was the medium it was stored on,(not unlike digital cameras which stores the film as data instead of film).

Is the storage media between digital/non-digital different? If so, what kind of media is used for digital and what does it average in cost?

**caddelma** · 05-24-2001, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by hotman
for your advice. I might just get that buy.com $50 tuner.

One more thing about digital camcorders: Before Bires' response, I had the impression that the main difference between the digital/non-digital camcorders was the medium it was stored on,(not unlike digital cameras which stores the film as data instead of film).

Is the storage media between digital/non-digital different? If so, what kind of media is used for digital and what does it average in cost?

There is a differnce in the type of tape that is used between say vhs, vhs-c, 8mm. I think you can used the same tape for hi8 and digital 8. It looks like a smaller version of the old 8mm tape, however higher quality. Not sure on the price but it is probably a little higher than standard 8mm.