Help with software/hardware decision

[AdrianSchubert]

Hello, this is my first post and at first shot searching I can't find the obvious answer to my question.

I've recntly bought a new PC that I want to do simple DV-editing with. PC specs:
- P-III 650
- Asus P3B-F board (two USB ports)
- the G400 with 32 RAM
- 27 Gigs hard space

and I've got a Panasonic DV camera.

I sort of chose the G400 since I knew about the Rainbow Runner (without haveing REALLY looked into it though), and now I have to suddenly decide what I still need to do simple DV editing.

I now know the RRunner only supports analog in. So first of all, is this a problem? That is, I'm expecting to do input, simple cutting and adding text etc., and outputting again either to DV or to VHS. How much visible degredation is there between the original and final video in this case? If it's very little or none, what do I need as a minimum?

Are there other solutions? Please help me figure out what I need to quickly start some basic I/O and editing...thanks!

Adrian

[Phil Pugh]

Adrian,

If you want to do DV capture/editing then you will need a DV capable card. If you have lots of money there is the RT2000 - which will do analogue also.

There are alternatives. I have a MARVEL G200 for analogue capture and a CANOPUS RAPTOR for DV. (I will now be banned from this site ).

The RAPTOR is a DV only card (OK it has limited analogue capture - primarily aimed at the web-cam market).

In my opinion if you have a DV camcorder try to go for a DV capture solution - the quality is so much better.

[Aryko]

Hi Adrian,

The impression I've gotten from this forum and other sources is that for cheap DV editting, you just need an IEEE-1394 firewire card to do the transfer from your camcorder to your PC. Then you can import the clip into a video editting program like Media Studio Pro 6.0, cut and add effects to your heart's content, and then save / export the project either as a new media file or back to the camcorder.

This is the cheap way in. The more expensive way is with the DV500, RT2000 or Raptor. If you do get an IEEE-1394 card like the Pyro, just research it first to make sure it works with your camera.

- Aryko