AV Card/ TV Tuner Card Question...

eaze187 · #1 03-03-2006, 03:17 AM

I have a whole lot of homemade/voyeur vids on VHS (lest us not forget the 80's and the muddled times in the 90's during the death of the lazer disk...) and I would like to get those vids onto my computer; the problem is, I can't find any good hardware to enable me to do so. I am looking to get an AV/TV Tuner (type) card, preferably external (but I really don't care). I have tried searching online but I fear getting screwed and I don't have the money to swing and miss so I am looking to get it right the first time so I was wondering if anyone knew a good "make and model". (By the way I am using a PC) Thnx.

**Alex** · #2 03-03-2006, 11:55 AM

I don't have a consumer capture card on my PC here. We use an expensive commercial hardware solution on our editing PC. Hopefully one of our members will have some good advice.

I would recommend looking at sites like http://www.newegg.com/ or http://www.amazon.com because they both offer customer reviews of their products. You can learn a lot from reading feedback from people who own and use these cards. Then you can always buy a card at your local shop or wherever you find the best deal.

Good luck,

CP · #3 03-03-2006, 12:54 PM

I have an Aver DVBT freeview card in my pc, i can view a huge amount of freeview channels, I also have my satalite Tv hooked up to it, and also have my VCR hooked up.
Aver records in MPEG2 format so you'll need to codec to view and edit any clips you make with this software. It has many great functions. I paid �90 for mine a while back, but i have seen them online for about �50 lately.
I did recomend this TV card to someone else, and he was over the moon with it.

this is mine
http://www.digicams-uk.com/prod280.htm

i also found out that they do an external version for USB.

this free version of virtualdub, is one of the best editing programs for MPEG2 formats
http://fcchandler.home.comcast.net/stable/

Hope you have luck in your searching, and find what you need,
regards
CP.

dro · #4 03-03-2006, 01:49 PM

I don't think they sell the one I have but this is similar (mabey updated)
http://accessories.gateway.com/Acces...831_ProdDetail
It is an external usb version. I paid $100 and they want extra after you install it to use the mpeg2 feature. It still has mpeg1 and avi format which is good enough. The only problems I have with it is when the tv coaxial cable input is used for the tv tuner, The sound is messed up like it needs a preamp or something. And it does not have an option to capture stereo sound when connecting a camera or vcr through rca cables. Otherwise it has been pretty good.

If you are just looking for something to capture from vhs I would shy away from a tv tuner type and go with a regular av capture device. I have had two tv tuner type devices and could not get tv tuner fuctions to operate properly.
Also make sure you have enough memory available for the device you want to use.

Good luck!

CP · #5 03-03-2006, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dro

The only problems I have with it is when the tv coaxial cable input is used for the tv tuner, The sound is messed up like it needs a preamp or something. And it does not have an option to capture stereo sound when connecting a camera or vcr through rca cables. Otherwise it has been pretty good.

I had same problem with mine for sound, so i made up my own cables. I use the scart connections on back of VCR & satalite system, and convert the scart leads from phono plugs into jack plugs, which then plug into the sound card on back of my PC. I alsi use a 2 way connector to save me plugging and unplugging which ever i am using.
So now, my PC just picks up, which ever system is in use

.
I can even route my TV through the webcam settings on messenger chat programs LOL, i once showed a friend of mine in Aus, a preview of a UK series on TV via my webcam hehe.

regards
CP.

dro · #6 03-03-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celeb_peeper

I can even route my TV through the webcam settings on messenger chat programs LOL,
regards
CP.

Me too. Found that out by accident one day. Pretty cool feature. Once I found out, I had to play one of my porno tapes as a webcam broadcast.

eaze187 · #7 03-05-2006, 03:32 AM

thnx for all the responses. I think I am going to get the Pinnacle PCTV 50E (thnx dro) and will hopefully have a punch of, dare I say, new footage to add to the HCV forum and OC Home Videos in the next few weeks (cough cough months). Audio shouldn't give me that much of a problem since I already use my computer as the hub of my baby music studio and I take record takes from VHS, DVD etc. all the time. I have found that Reason or Acid works fine for record takes and then I figure I can bring both up in Vegas Video, snyc the audio with the video, render, then bring it up in W Movie Maker and so on. Thnx again for all the responses, it was very hepfull.