Unbiased Advice need on Video Capture solution

[Ron]

Looking for the best reasonably priced video capture card to do things like making intructional/training programs. Currently working on aircraft recognition program for training purposes, need ability to capture full screen (or at least 640x480, preferably larger). Platform used for this would be PIII 600 or 650 with 128 or 256MB RAM. Any advice most appreciated. TIA Ron

[Flying dutchman]

The best quality would be a digital camera (mini-DV or D8) with firewire in/out plus a cheap firewire card (such as the Pyro) for the PC. I believe they even include Ulead VideoStudio with the card.

Shoot your footage with the camera,
upload the video shots to the pc, edit it, and download it back to the camera on a new tape.

Then playback to VHS and you're ready to go!

If you go for D8 instead of DV: that enables you to digitize 8 mm analog video as well, and some Sony cameras even have an analog video input.

[ScottV]

I agree. Spend your budget on the camera rather than the capture card.

If you get a digital camera you can't go wrong because even a cheap digital capture card, like the pyro, will give far superior results compared to a more expensive analog capture card such as the G400 Marvel (and it's a lot less hassle).

[Ron]

Thanks for the replies, the problem is that my video source is already on VHS for the most part and everything has to be transferred to CD-ROM for distribution to the users.

[White Thunder]

From what I have read, the Pinnacles' DC30+ is the best capture board in the mid to low price range and would probably be your best choice.

Ian.