video capture

[H2O lover]

It looks like a PCI card or firewire connection would be better than connecting a converter box to my computer using a USB port.
Thanks for the info and keep it coming.

 

[KiiY]

Does your camcorder have a Firewire output jack? If it's Hi8, not Digital8, then you will need to get some sort of analog capture card. An IEEE1394 card (Firewire) won't work.

 

[H2O lover]

I meant a converter box that uses firewire rather than USB to connect to the computer. I heard that there may be problems using a USB port to connect the converter box to the computer.
But it seems that a PCI card that converts the video is the best solution. Can anyone confirm that?

 

[diversteve]

I meant a converter box that uses firewire rather than USB to connect to the computer. I heard that there may be problems using a USB port to connect the converter box to the computer.
But it seems that a PCI card that converts the video is the best solution. Can anyone confirm that?

That would be my take on it. PCI 1st, box w/Firewire 2nd, box w/USB 3rd. Mostly because other devices on the USB chain could interfere with the capture.

Are there any external boxes with Firewire output?

 

[CompuDude]

That would be my take on it. PCI 1st, box w/Firewire 2nd, box w/USB 3rd. Mostly because other devices on the USB chain could interfere with the capture.

Are there any external boxes with Firewire output?

Lots. They do varyingly good jobs on compression, however. Best bet is still capturing at max resolution and using multiple-pass VBR compression techniques. Takes a LONG time, though, and has pretty stiff requirements. An external box is FAR easier.