Help on card with video in!!

[oc jason]

I just bought a GF2 Pro 64 meg DDR- and it has TV OUT, and i think that is all. I wanna be able to hook up a Video camera input so i can see it on my computer monitor. I ride sportbikes and we make stunt tapes and i wanna be able to put them on my puter so i can edit stuff and add music to them. just wondering what card i need to do this. Do i need another new video card- or do i need something like a PCI captre card-i am lost to what i need please help

 

[Pinky]

If you buy a video camera for your PC (about 50 bucks) it will include a USB plug, which is how it interfaces (never boths with the video card).

The same is true for many digital cameras... but if you want to import full motion video you WILL need a video in. There are capture cards available, even Best Buy carries some for $50-100, then add cabling and whatever you need for a camera... it adds up, but you can get some great video for a resonable price.

 

[oc jason]

but if you want to import full motion video you WILL need a video in. There are capture cards available, even Best Buy carries some for $50-100, then add cabling and whatever you need for a camera

I already have a webcam, but wanna be able to view video from the 8mm videocamera--i found some PCI cards that hace IEEE slots-is that what i need-or a USB DAZZLE thing. Also what software do i need-just an mpeg/avi joiner to edit the video. And what programs do i need for adding music-mp3 over video

 

[Pinky]

[OC] Jason (Jul 23, 2001 10:28 a.m.):
I already have a webcam, but wanna be able to view video from the 8mm videocamera--i found some PCI cards that hace IEEE slots-is that what i need-or a USB DAZZLE thing. Also what software do i need-just an mpeg/avi joiner to edit the video. And what programs do i need for adding music-mp3 over video

Get a PCI card with video in/out and RCA connectors (so you can import easily from a VHS camera/VCR). There are some external units that have ports for different types of inputs, but they're a bit pricey and only for die hard video users.

Adobe makes some good editting software, but it's also pricey. Most of the time the card/capture unit comes with capture and editting software.

 

[DaveG]

There are several ways to do this. If you have a Digital Video Camera, you can use IEE1394 (Firewire) to transfer from the camera to the PC. (You will need a firewire card in the PC and a Firewire port on the camera to do this). Otherwise a video card with video capture (I have an ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon) will work, as will a separate PCI capture card (both have RCA inputs).

The catch is you need a decently powered PC with lots of memory and fast disk to get high quality captures. There are many free/shareware programs to do editing and stuff. Check out www.divx.com as well as www.digital-digest.com. They have lots of great info.

Good Luck,
Dave

p.s. Note that the Radeon AIW has a driver incompatibility that won't allow it to capture properly (or at all) with 3rd party software. The apps that ATI provides are ok, but not as good as having the other apps at your disposal. You can still use the ATI software to capture and use the 3rd party apps to manipulate the results.

 

[-chris-]

Here's what you need

Here's a link you will need if you are going to buy a video capture card. www.miro.com This company makes the finest capture cards on the market. Go under products and home use. If you don't want to hurt your wallet, I would recommend the DC30 Pro or the DC50. Good luck!

 

[-chris-]

DaveG (Jul 23, 2001 10:58 a.m.):
p.s. Note that the Radeon AIW has a driver incompatibility that won't allow it to capture properly (or at all) with 3rd party software. The apps that ATI provides are ok, but not as good as having the other apps at your disposal. You can still use the ATI software to capture and use the 3rd party apps to manipulate the results.

I have the All in Wonder 128 R pro. Can I use 3rd party software to capture from the card? I didn't know that was possible. If so, what do you recommend?

 

[DaveG]

Not sure on the 128 .. though I believe so. I would give it a try. Grab a copy of vdub (check sites in my pervious post). There are lots of programs out there, depending on what you want to do. Windows Media Encoder 8 (from microsoft) is supposed to be decent, but I haven't used it. Again, check out the sites I listed .. there is TONS of great info there.

Dave

 

[oc jason]

so i just want a PCI capture card with RCA video in and out?

 

[Pinky]

[OC] Jason (Jul 23, 2001 01:09 p.m.):
so i just want a PCI capture card with RCA video in and out?

In short, yes. Now good luck finding a quality card... I don't know about those capture cards the other member suggested, I read the specs and the onboard capture isn't that gerat on the cheaper models. You may be better off getting a new Radeon VIVO (stands for video in/video out) model, selling your existing card, since the radeon can game and capture. Otherwise, as for specific models/brands, you got me. I suggest checking best buy first, find a model that meets our needs, then go to pricewatch and see where you can buy it for less (I saved $15 on a wireless mouse recently doing just that).

 

[supraway]

If you already have a video card, just get a TV-Wonder (not the VE model). You can capture Mpeg-1 and a couple other types, and from that can convert to whatever. Plus, you can watch TV on your computer now!

 

[-chris-]

Like I said, go to www.miro.com Very professional editing systems.

 

[oc jason]

Thanks all- i know what to do - but i didnt really wanna have to get another video card. I'll do that cause its looks as if the Radeon has better quality picture and thats really what its for not sheer speed cause its fast enough anyway