capture cards

[2tired]

Hi all,

I have given the capture device (old DV150) and it's associated software a long enough trial and there are just too many problems to overcome. So it's time to start looking for a new capture device that I can use to grab video and work with my VS8. I am asking about capture devices here in this forum since it will be used with VS8, either it may be supported by VS8 or capture then rework with ulead.
Since Ulead doesn't have any hardware capture devices of their own, (I looked on their site for compatible hardware to no avail) I am looking at getting something that would import R/L audio, S-video/video, and out via firewire to MPEG2. Should be firewire as it is going into a laptop. Doesn't have to be compatible with VS8 capture since once stuff is captured (from vhs tapes or off the air) in mpeg2 form it can be used with my VS8. DV is not needed now (however you never know), as I only have a High 8 camcorder (which outputs video and svideo).
So, is there any consensus on what to get or perhaps better what Not to get? Would like to keep the price down if possible; like less than $200.00. The less the better. Any info would help.

I am looking at the Canopus ADVC-100, Pinnacle Studio MovieBox DV 9, ADS Pyro AV-Link Video Capture Device, and others.

thanks

[THoff]

You can find an extensive list of capture devices and user/owner feedback at VideoHelp.

You could treat yourself to a new camcorder with pass-through encoding, so that the camcorder itself will become your capture device. You'd hook up the video source to the camcorder's inputs, and the FireWire from the DV camcorder to your laptop.

The Canopus analog-to-digital converters are excellent, but pricy. I have an ADVC-300 and use it with UVS, among other programs. If you want to capture relatively clean source signals, the ADVC-100 is a good choice, but if you ever need to work with old, deteriorated material, nothing in the prosumer space beats the ADVC-300. Both models support locked audio, so you will never run into the audio/video sync problems countless people are encountering with other devices.

[2tired]

Thof: You could treat yourself to a new camcorder with pass-through encoding, so that the camcorder itself will become your capture device. You'd hook up the video source to the camcorder's inputs, and the FireWire from the DV camcorder to your laptop.

I have as much chance of getting approval for a new camera as I do for a new car. I just talked her into a new laptop so anything else at the moment has to be off the radar


Thof: The Canopus analog-to-digital converters are excellent, but pricy. I have an ADVC-300 and use it with UVS, among other programs. If you want to capture relatively clean source signals, the ADVC-100 is a good choice

You say you use the 300 with UVS so I am assuming that what you are saying is that UVS supports this device in capture?

THof: , but if you ever need to work with old, deteriorated material, nothing in the prosumer space beats the ADVC-300. Both models support locked audio, so you will never run into the audio/video sync problems countless people are encountering with other devices.

I think that I would really like to get a 300 but the money just isn't there at the moment. If UVS8 supports the 100 model then I think that is the one I favor now the most.

Thanks again!

PS: I just got done looking at the posts on that site you mentioned and just about everyone raves about it.

[THoff]

The Canopus ADVC family of devices shows up as a DV Camera when connected to an OHCI-compliant FireWire port, and you would choose either the Microsoft or Texas Instruments IEEE 1394 DV capture driver.

The only difference between an actual DV camera and the ADVC devices is that they don't pay attention to device control, and that they have a free-running timecode, i.e. the rewind command is meaningless, for instance, and the timecode inserted into the DV steam will always go up in realtime.

[2tired]

THof: The Canopus ADVC family of devices shows up as a DV Camera when connected to an OHCI-compliant FireWire port, and you would choose either the Microsoft or Texas Instruments IEEE 1394 DV capture driver.

Me: Thanks! BTW I just got off that site you recommended and the posts on the ADVC-100 were almost all raves about the device. It makes it seem silly to look further.

thanks again for the help!!