Technical > Audio/Video Chat > Video Capture Device Recommendations?

Video Capture Device Recommendations?

I don't have any recommendations for a video capture device. My suggestion would be to try a different method.

When I had this same task at hand I chose to just connect the camera to a stand alone DVD recorder. I then dubbed the tapes to DVD disc.

Once I had the tape successfully transferred to disc I was able to then just run copies of the disc using CLONE-DVD. Actually you could use the disc copy function in NERO or other disc creation software since there is no CSS or copy guard to deal with.

I then distributed the discs to my sisters and family. They were very grateful to get DVD discs that they could just pop in the player at home and sit back and watch the old home movies as opposed to just getting digital files that would require them to somehow figure out how to play.

reply to Link Logger
wintv usb is a good choice (has composite/s-video video connector cable)

reply to Link Logger
I only recommend Hauppauge. Solid hardware with good support.
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reply to Link Logger
So is Hauppauge's USB Live2 a viable solution?

»www.hauppauge.com/site/products/···ve2.html

Thanks
Blake

reply to Link Logger
If you're quality concerned STAY AWAY from anything USB[unless you like dropped frames]

i dont regret converting my old VHS/8mm tapes to digital using high quality playback devices as the source for playback, although i borrowed the HQ playback devices.
i used a S-VHS deck with s-video & 8mm super hi-fi with s-video.
once you have the best quality as your raw format stored on a master disc, you can process it any way you choose on the PC and then produce a copy.
it may be all family and friends have left of you when you were young in the end.
but then again, this depends on what youre transferring too.
even if the tape was not recorded in HQ/Hi-Fi, having it played back on an HQ device with the highest possible connection (S-Video for VHS/8MM) and captured in HQ makes a big difference in the quality of the digital capture.
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reply to Link Logger

reply to Link Logger
Got a digital camcorder with firewire port?
»www.videohelp.com/dvanalog#dv

quote:

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Capturing Various Analog Video (VHS, Hi8, 8mm) with a Digital Camcorder

Most (but not all) modern digital camcorders provide a analog-to-digital "passthrough" capability. This feature lets you feed an analog input signal (usually via S-Video, sometimes RCA) into your camcorder and output a standard DV AVI signal. The camcorder converts the analog signal on-the-fly using a hardware encoder. Your input device could be your old analog camcorder (playing 8mm or Hi8 tapes), a VHS video player, etc.

The DV AVI output signal is the same encoding as standard digital camcorder output so you can attach a firewire connection (also called iLink) between your camcorder and your computer and use standard video capture software to capture the output -> How to capture DV Cam using a firewire/DV card

Some digital camcorders do not support simple "passthrough" but they will capture an analog signal and convert it as you record to the digital tape. The digital tape can then be rewound and played over the firewire connection to computer as described above. Clearly, the passthrough capability saves time and effort but if you already have a digital camcorder (without passthrough), then you still might use the analog signal-to-tape capture capability.

Not all new digital camcorders necessary accept analog input (watch the lower-end models). If you have old analog material, then think about adding "analog-to-digital passthrough" to your list of requirements when choosing a digital camcorder.

Written by James Woodger

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I wish it was modern, as it doesn't even have stereo sound and just a composite video out (yellow cable ).

Blake

I think the point was that you can hook the old analog camcorder up to a digital camcorder and use the digital one as a pass through device inputting an analog signal and outputting a digital one as opposed to using a capture device for the conversion.

reply to Link Logger
Look for a DV Transverter.... To firewire...
Will take vhs output to video files, via edit software.
It will work with any decent edit software.
You'll be happy with the results.

Don't cheap out with a USB device.. They are marginal.

Make sure you set audio for 48K
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