Help with video capture????

[gah]

My wife's school wants to buy a video capture card that can input VHS, CD, DVD, digital camera (still and moving), 8mm, Hi8 and etc. They will then edit, add sound and text, then output to CD, DVD, TV, monitor, projection systems, add to power point presentations and etc. This is completely out of my class. What should she suggest that doesn't run over $500?
Thanks, George

 

[tcrosson]

www.pinnaclesys.com has an assortment of low to high end video editing cards. Most come with Firewire and standard analog video in/out.


Maybe this?.

Key features.

And here's a good price for it.

 

[DVeditor2k2]

I'd suggest getting a good Firewire card (~$100) and an analog<->DV converter. The converters allow you to input and output analog sources using a firewire card and run about $300. Outputting to DVD means they need a DVD burner (which will probably blow the $500 budget)

Canopus ADVC-100
Dazzle Hollywood DV-Bridge


DV

 

[qeru]

<< I'd suggest getting a good Firewire card (~$100) and an analog<->DV converter. The converters allow you to input and output analog sources using a firewire card and run about $300. Outputting to DVD means they need a DVD burner (which will probably blow the $500 budget)

>>



yes, this could be an option but these are capture/output only cards, they don't have editing capabilities. so, all the editing is done through the cpu which stresses a lot you and the computer. a minimum to meet those reqs is matrox rt2000, and you have the chance to find it second-hand or in some retail store for a very good price, since it's not manufactured anymore (it has been replaced by rt2500 - approx. $850 new). other option is pinnacle dv500/500+, which is allmost on it's way out, but in store you won't find it under $700.
my advice is to get one of these cards second-hand, they will save you time and headaches.

 

[DVeditor2k2]

<<

<< I'd suggest getting a good Firewire card (~$100) and an analog<->DV converter. The converters allow you to input and output analog sources using a firewire card and run about $300. Outputting to DVD means they need a DVD burner (which will probably blow the $500 budget)

>>



yes, this could be an option but these are capture/output only cards, they don't have editing capabilities. so, all the editing is done through the cpu which stresses a lot you and the computer. a minimum to meet those reqs is matrox rt2000, and you have the chance to find it second-hand or in some retail store for a very good price, since it's not manufactured anymore (it has been replaced by rt2500 - approx. $850 new). other option is pinnacle dv500/500+, which is allmost on it's way out, but in store you won't find it under $700.
my advice is to get one of these cards second-hand, they will save you time and headaches. >>



It depends on how fast the computers are they are running with (a P3 500mhz proc can handle DV quality video fine). The hardware acceleration you get from a Pinnacle or Matrox card is mainly for real-time effects (which aren't need in this situation). I would not recommend the RT2000 because you can only use it w/the "special edition" Matrox G400 video card that comes as part of the package. And the Pinnacle DV 500/500+ has more issues than yer average video capture card. Which brings me to my second point. If you buy a card like the 500+, or RT2500 you'll have to make sure the computer meets the Matrox or Pinnacle parts specs, and someone very computer literate will need to install the card, software, and be on hand to trouble shoot and keep the system running. Prosumer level cards from companies like Pinnalce, Matrox, and Canopus are not plug and play devices. Hardware and software will have to be tweaked to keep the computer running properly.
Easy of instilation, is one reason why I suggested the Firewire + Converter box combo.


DV