Video Recording/Playback/Editing/Converting/etc.

i used VirtualDub to convert/ripped the audio to wav
then use that wav file for audio instead of avi.. during the conversion from avi to mpg @ tpmgenc... :mrgreen:

Ok, this may be kinda random, but does anyone know anything about video capture cards that may run via USB rather than installing into a PCI slot? I think I saw some once, so I assume they exist :hehe: I was curious about this and looking into getting one. I'm mainly looking to putz around capturing VHS tapes and would rather try USB if it's not a horrible option. Any ideas, suggestions, or recommendations?

I'm not really sure if this goes in this thread :sweat:

KouSeiya315 wrote:Ok, this may be kinda random, but does anyone know anything about video capture cards that may run via USB rather than installing into a PCI slot? I think I saw some once, so I assume they exist :hehe: I was curious about this and looking into getting one. I'm mainly looking to putz around capturing VHS tapes and would rather try USB if it's not a horrible option. Any ideas, suggestions, or recommendations?

I'm not really sure if this goes in this thread :sweat:

I think this thread is probably as close as any thread to use, unless you wanted to start a new thread...

USB? Possibly, but I think the amount of data being transferred would be prohibitive... I would think any external video capture cards would use Firewire... I'll snoop around, though.

Silly me. I shoulda known that videohelp.com would have information on this:

http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards


Hope this helps! :)

KouSeiya315 wrote:Ok, this may be kinda random, but does anyone know anything about video capture cards that may run via USB rather than installing into a PCI slot? I think I saw some once, so I assume they exist :hehe: I was curious about this and looking into getting one. I'm mainly looking to putz around capturing VHS tapes and would rather try USB if it's not a horrible option. Any ideas, suggestions, or recommendations?

I'm not really sure if this goes in this thread :sweat:

they exist!! and like BMW said, they come in firewire, usb and parallel.
if you wanted to do VHS->digital captures, i wouldn't reccommend an external card.
here's some factors:
1. how much do you care about quality?
2. will you be doing any post video editing?

With external capturers, you will be limited. Since i think most of them only capture in MPEG1 or MPEG2. Also they are kind of pricey.
But on the brighter side, there are no conversions needed.
Is there a particular reason you decided to go external?? (besides the convenience of being external).

Some capture devices i've had (have):
1. Dazzle external -captured in mpeg1. Horrible!!!
2. Matrox internal Video/cap card -captured in MJPEG (avi container). The best I've had (i still have this card).
3. PVR internal PCI card - captured in mpeg1. Decent and got the job done.
4. Panasonic set top DVD Recorder - Best one so far. :) Easy, simple, gets the job done with excellent quality.

Hi

I tried to burn Heaven's Coin(downloaded from daddict) into vcd.Since it is in avi format, I used TMPGEnc to convert it to mpg format.And after that i used nero to burn it to vcd.However, when i tried to play the vcd using vcd player, it can't be played.it can only be played using dvd player. Why is that so? Can somebody pls explain whats the problem? thanks

im not sure i can help u there, but i did the same method and its working fine in my dvd player... dont u have a dvd player thats compatible with vcds by any chance? =T

yes i do have dvd player but it's just strange that i couldnt play the vcd using vcd player..I remembered following the same steps as i did for other dramas..and strangely other dramas that i've burn into vcds previously can be played using vcd player.. :crazy:

Did you burn it as a VCD or just burn the MPEG's onto a data disk? And are you sure you converted to MPEG-1 instead of MPEG-2? PAL or NTSC?

i burn it as vcd..since my vcd player is pal so i convert it as pal..the video was .mpg so i guess it is mpeg 1 rite??

does it have any connection with the source video?i read from daddicts that the episodes are dvd-rips..

dry_ice wrote:i burn it as vcd..since my vcd player is pal so i convert it as pal..the video was .mpg so i guess it is mpeg 1 rite??

does it have any connection with the source video?i read from daddicts that the episodes are dvd-rips..

Well, .mpg files could either be MPEG-1 (for VCD's) or MPEG-2 (for dvd's or SVCD's). I'm assuming since you used TMPGEnc that you selected VCD PAL. But still, it's working in your DVD player, so it looks like your VCD player just doesn't wanna play it :sweat: Have you played burned VCD's in your VCD player before? Some older players are finicky with burned disks....

yes i did played burned vcds in my vcd player b4..i did dl few dramas and convert it the same way(i guess)..and it worked well..dunno wat happen :bonk:

so does it mean that there's no solution for it to be played using vcd player?
:grumble:

instaed of all this converting, isn't it a better idea to get a stand-alone dvd player that can play avi's?

amrayu wrote:

they exist!! and like BMW said, they come in firewire, usb and parallel.
if you wanted to do VHS->digital captures, i wouldn't reccommend an external card.
here's some factors:
1. how much do you care about quality?
2. will you be doing any post video editing?

With external capturers, you will be limited. Since i think most of them only capture in MPEG1 or MPEG2. Also they are kind of pricey.
But on the brighter side, there are no conversions needed.
Is there a particular reason you decided to go external?? (besides the convenience of being external).

Some capture devices i've had (have):
1. Dazzle external -captured in mpeg1. Horrible!!!
2. Matrox internal Video/cap card -captured in MJPEG (avi container). The best I've had (i still have this card).
3. PVR internal PCI card - captured in mpeg1. Decent and got the job done.
4. Panasonic set top DVD Recorder - Best one so far. :) Easy, simple, gets the job done with excellent quality.

Oh crap, I didn't know anyone replied to this :sweat: Anyhoo, basically what I'm looking for is to spend around $100 or less, but I'd prefer USB if possible because I don't have the desk space for PCI. My computer desk has a tower compartment, so it's really a pain to have anything go in the back. I have USB ports in the front and back, so USB for me is pretty ideal if it's possible to get good captures with it. :fingerscrossed:

I was looking at something like this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1064607747431&skuId=5870729&productCategoryId=cat01054&type=product

Reviews: http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCardRead=228#comments

I don't want crappy captures, but I need to think about the physical desktop space I'd have to work with and convenience, as well as the cost. I'm mainly looking for something inexpensive but decent to tinker with rather than a permanent solution. I wouldn't be doing this to just chuck out all of my VHS right away :victory: I'm paranoid and would have to be absolutely sure at first. Plus, I never captured before, so I'm a total newb.....would have to tinker first to learn the deal.

The one I linked above does MPEG-2, which I'd be fine with. If I were to upload any AVI's, I have no issues with reencoding for that reason....that would be fine. In fact MPEG-2 is ideal for my personal use. I still have to read all of those reviews. :doh:

My specs:
160 GB HDD Internal
512 MB ram (it lists 448 though....wtf)
6 USB ports
Windows XP Service Pack 2
AMD Athlon 3200+ Processor, 2.21 ghz

Eventually I would be adding more ram and possibly another internal HDD. Not right away, but that's my eventual plan. After another DVD burner because mine sucks a fat one.

KouSeiya315 wrote:

Oh crap, I didn't know anyone replied to this :sweat: Anyhoo, basically what I'm looking for is to spend around $100 or less, but I'd prefer USB if possible because I don't have the desk space for PCI. My computer desk has a tower compartment, so it's really a pain to have anything go in the back. I have USB ports in the front and back, so USB for me is pretty ideal if it's possible to get good captures with it. :fingerscrossed:

I was looking at something like this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1064607747431&skuId=5870729&productCategoryId=cat01054&type=product

Reviews: http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCardRead=228#comments

I don't want crappy captures, but I need to think about the physical desktop space I'd have to work with and convenience, as well as the cost. I'm mainly looking for something inexpensive but decent to tinker with rather than a permanent solution. I wouldn't be doing this to just chuck out all of my VHS right away :victory: I'm paranoid and would have to be absolutely sure at first. Plus, I never captured before, so I'm a total newb.....would have to tinker first to learn the deal.

The one I linked above does MPEG-2, which I'd be fine with. If I were to upload any AVI's, I have no issues with reencoding for that reason....that would be fine. In fact MPEG-2 is ideal for my personal use. I still have to read all of those reviews. :doh:

My specs:
160 GB HDD Internal
512 MB ram (it lists 448 though....wtf)
6 USB ports
Windows XP Service Pack 2
AMD Athlon 3200+ Processor, 2.21 ghz

Eventually I would be adding more ram and possibly another internal HDD. Not right away, but that's my eventual plan. After another DVD burner because mine sucks a fat one.

Is that external card the one that Amrayu said was horrible??

Oh, the other downside of USB might be throughput... Firewire would be a better way to go, but it's a PCI card you haveta plug in... :(

I've seen some DVD recorders for under $200 now, so would they be a viable, but slightly more expensive choice?

bmwracer wrote:
Is that external card the one that Amrayu said was horrible??

Oh, the other downside of USB might be throughput... Firewire would be a better way to go, but it's a PCI card you haveta plug in... :(

I've seen some DVD recorders for under $200 now, so would they be a viable, but slightly more expensive choice?

I assume the one I linked is a newer version of the one amrayu had, because hers capped in MPEG-1, while the one I linked does MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. I would hope there would be improvements? Maybe? :puppydog:

Well, even if I could figure out something for a PCI slot install, I'd have to wait until I have something else installed on this first (something I wouldn't install myself, like a harddrive or ram stick), because my tower has a seal on it. If I break it myself, my warranty could go kaput :grumble: I'd rather someone else break it so then I can open it as much as I want like I did with the Gateway :victory:

KouSeiya315 wrote:I assume the one I linked is a newer version of the one amrayu had, because hers capped in MPEG-1, while the one I linked does MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. I would hope there would be improvements? Maybe? :puppydog:

Maybe. I dunno. I guess you should PM Amrayu for details.

Well, even if I could figure out something for a PCI slot install, I'd have to wait until I have something else installed on this first (something I wouldn't install myself, like a harddrive or ram stick), because my tower has a seal on it. If I break it myself, my warranty could go kaput :grumble: I'd rather someone else break it so then I can open it as much as I want like I did with the Gateway :victory:

Warranty? For how long? Your DVD burner already tanked, neh? :(

bmwracer wrote:
Warranty? For how long? Your DVD burner already tanked, neh? :(

Well, the "warranty" is for 1 year from the manufacturer, but I got a service plan for 3 years. So if something breaks that can't be repaired, it'll be replaced. I just don't wanna be the one to break that seal the first time. :hehe: But my burner is just the OEM and I was planning on eventually replacing it anyway. The brand used to be reputable but they now only do deals with compy makers for OEM drives....and they now suck a fat @$$. And I thought I was gonna be ok :shakehead:

But, I think I'm gonna just buy a new DVD-RW soon instead of trying to go through the hassle of getting a replacement because I probably wouldn't be getting anything better....I'd probably get the same damn brand they gave me. They aren't too expensive now. I'm looking into one of those dual layer 16x Pioneers for the long haul, it's only about $116 now. :dancing: I think I'll only buy a Pioneer now from what I hear :doh: Hopefully they will be flexible with media brands and stuff. I assume dual layer ones also burn single layer ones? (I'll look into that, I realize this is an encoding thread :victory:) I'm not quite ready for the cost of dual layer media, but I'm looking ahead so hopefully I wouldn't have to buy AGAIN when it gets to be big :puppydog:

Well, the DVD-RW isn't dead quite yet. But...I can only burn at 2x or else all the burns will fail at 4x (no matter which media brand I use). Plus, the reading is not forgiving with certain disks and brands of disks. Some things that are fine just WON'T read. But, if they read and I burn at 2x, the burns are fine. It's on the road to death though. I can't imagine how I could have killed it so quickly though....not like I do distro or anything, wtf.

512 MB ram (it lists 448 though....wtf)

Quick chime. You don't by any chance use on-board video (as opposed to a separate video card). The 64MB difference is probably due to shared memory. On-board video uses RAM as its own memory. Greedy, aren't they?