Capture Cards (Now don't look at me like that!)

[Curtin-Parloe]

I have no cash and a Hi8 Handycam. I want to edit my tripe* on the PC, but I've spent my overdraft on a big HDD (and food).
You've all read this before, but I need a cheap(cheap) PAL Capture card, and I was considering a USB one, but I read a review that said they were poo.
That said, I can't really spend more than ?100. It doesn't need to be that good, if I get good enough I'll buy the full monty, but I just want enough to stick my films on the PC and back onto a VCR (or CD). My sister works where she can get wholesale PC stuff, but I haven't heard of any of it. There's one called MovieStar(?) Has anyone heard of it? Any other suggestions?

* My Tripe - The Movie, coming soon

[Ralph Snart]

In My opinion (from the USA Home of President Timewarp)

First I am not sure what the hi8 output format or cable connectors are like.

I have, believe this or not, had
using a NTSC (your version of PAL) for VHS capture. 5 capture devices in under 6 months.

A dazzle photo capture USB $100.00 do not go there do not even go there, unless they have made major changes in that device and their corporate attitude.

They may work better with PAL and I am sure it has it's uses but I still have nightmares.

They have at least 2 other devices 1 usb and one a PCI or AGP and those I can not speak for.

Besides they are over $100.00

A six pack of soda pop runs about $3.00 by way of reference.

Two of the others were USB and workable to a certain extent.

USB is good in a way because it gives you the latitude of moving you crucial hardware without having to open or carry your tower with you.

I can see it having it's place in business applications where you going from presentation to presentation.

On to what has worked well for me.

Pinnacle Studio DC10 plus. $100.00 or so
is an actual PCI card that fits inside your tower it has composit video in and out Svhs in and out but audio must be handled in another way, not a problem really with the right connectors. It also comes with its own editing software that is pretty ok although I really haven't worked with it. The DC10 editing software supports audio.

Plan to spend a quiet afternoon learning the proper combo of settings to make it work but I have for the most part been happy with it.

This brings us to my latest puzzle where in I bit off way more than I can chew at this point The AVI All in wonder $200.00

It from what I can tell does everything but cook your Dinner.

I have had to set it aside for a while and go back to the DC10 because from what I can tell and ATI tells me it has to take over your TV set before you can output back to tape.

Be aware that it can come in two connection formats PCI and AGP Big difference your tower may not support AGP

And I do not want to gloss over even the most bizarre thing I can make it do.

So for NTSC in and out and the least amount of hassles for around $100.00

DC10 would be my choice again.
This saves you the trouble of buying additional software to edit.

As always know your system and what it has in the way of software and hardware as well as you can without drowning yourself in info. My rule of thumb is that it is always going to be something. and I have yet to not find a solution to even my strangest idea if I wanted to work at it long enough.

so as i said this is just my opinion and I am just about as confused now as I was six months ago. Just about new things.

Hope this was helpful as well as verbose.

Ralph

[Curtin-Parloe]

Ta muchly (in my local parlance)

I have a Dell, so if you want AGP you have to either:
A) Buy a new case, motherboard
or
B) Forget it!

The upshot is, I'll probably go for the DC10Plus(if they still do it with the advent of DV!)

Thanks again, and I'll let you know how it turns out...

Paul

Coming soon... GodSilly - the attack of the 40 storeys high fluffy red crocodile!