Video Importing Hardware

[ROMERO879]

You know the hardware that imports video from your VCR, camcorder, tv ,etc. Like Dazzle:
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/images/screenshots/dvc1502b.jpg

Do these things work well? I want to record some matches to my computer. What format does it end up in your computer? Mpeg? Is there anything better to record video onto your computer??

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

I have used only two capture cards so these are all I can comment on:
1. Conexant 2388x
2. Archos.

Conexant is probably one of the cheapest cards those HP sob's could put in my media center pc. The quality is awful even though it records in less-compressed MPEG format.

The little capture module that came with my Archos player is not that brilliant either but considering it recorded AND converted to AVI at the same time (saving me a lot of time) the quality is quite good, especially when I turn the slider up to the highest bitrate. Two hundred fifty bucks for the whole player was well worth it and price for the model is way down now. If you're thinking about an all-in-one gadget you can go for one of the older models of Archos with video cap.

If quality is your top priority that you're willing to spend a little money on a stand-alone device I've heard Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Deluxe (with TV tuner) is very good. I've never tried it myself but one of my friends has and the stuff he recorded had amazing quality.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144029

[ROMERO879]

$112 aint that bad at all. So when you record it to your computer can you use it with any editing software cause i heard you can only use the editing software that comes with it.

[Fleetwood Mac #1]

The stuff I record with Conexant and Archos can be edited with most editing softwares but I have no idea about Pinnacle. Read all the detailed specifications and reviews here (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1111288&CatId=0) (best to do a search on 'Pinnacle reviews') and see if you can find the answer.

[techin]

Most PC hardware/software allows you to set the file format and compression settings. Unless the format is proprietary, you should be able to use most of the commercial editing suites on the market.

I've only used the ATI All In Wonder Radeon and Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2. Both have TV tuners so you can record TV signals directly to your harddrive, but you can also record from anything that outputs composite video. I haven't had problems editing with Ulead VideoStudio or a couple of other free options out there.

Past posts have referred people to: www.videohelp.com

I tend to go to: www.htpcnews.com

[Chiquitibum]

i second the hauppauge wintv pvr 150.

I plug in my dish network and cap stuff all the time, then edit with virtualdub or whatever i want.

I also pluged in my camcorder via rca cables, cuz i lost my firewire cable.

I could also connect vcr to the coaxial connectiona and convert vhz to dvd.

card cost around 60 bucks iirc.

[ROMERO879]

Thanks.