need some education

[ggg]

I have read a few of the threads about capturing surround sound,Blu-Ray etc. It seems that I need to learn the terminology better. I have been capturing analog via an old DVD express but I now want to be able to capture surround sound and burn a disk. I really see very little difference with any of the Blu-Ray demos at the stores vs. what I get now on my TV when I am watching DVDs. The big difference is the surround sound. Is there a device that seems to be the best for capturing surround sound DVDs, etc. I am afraid that it would have to be external and connected via a 1394 port as I have no more connections for internal cards in my computer (unless it would replace my present audio input card). Do you have a turorial that I could view in order to get better trained? Thank you.

[sjj1805]

Do you mean that you want to copy an existing DVD?
If so you will find that commercially produced DVD's are copy protected to prevent piracy.

If however you mean you've got your camcorder out and done a bit of filming and want it to have surround sound, then you need to invest in some audio recording equipment. Most camcorder record in stereo.

[DVDDoug]

I assume you want to capture audio and video?

Somthing like this Hauppauge device or this ATI device might be able to capture digital broadcasts with surround sound, but I'm not sure. (I have an older analog Hauppauge capture card.)

Is there a device that seems to be the best for capturing surround sound DVDs, etc.

If you have a 5.1 channel soundcard, you can capture/record 5.1 channel analog audio. If you have an internal PCI soundcard, you can replace it, or you can get an external USB soundcard . (Just make sure it has enough inputs and enough outputs.) I've never actually recorded multichannel audio, but you might need a 3rd-party program for recording. Audacity (FREE!!!) can probably do it. (The analog audio signal from a DVD is not copy protected, but the video* signal is.)

Typically you don't "capture" from a DVD (or CD), usually you digitally rip a copy. However, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs are encrypted and it is illegal to "crack" DVD/Blu-Ray copy protection in most countries... If you live in the USA, you won't find DVD ripping software in retail stores or on websites that sell ligitimate software.


* Almost all commercial VHS tapes, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs have Macrovision copy protection on the analog video signal. All stand-alone VHS & DVD recorders will detect the Macrovision signal and block (or mess-up) recording. However, some capture cards/devices for the computer ignore the copy protection signal and record anyway.

For more "education" try:
DigitalFAQ.com
VideoHelp.com
AfterDawn.com
Doom9.org
HydrogenAudio.org