Ok, I've been loking for devices to capture and record TV onto my computer, the only thing I want is to record a program, so I'm looking for something normal. And a miracle, I've found 4 or 5 devices where in Portugal. So my question is, can you guys help me to chose the best for me? Thanks The images: and I've found a Pinnacle PCTV Analog Pro USB And one last question: wouldn't one of these work for me: Ok thanks a lot. P.S. I had alredy a topic similar to this one, but I think the subject it's a little bit different so i decided to start this one, hope it's ok. And sorry for the size of the post.
Just forget it everyone. No one help me, so i gess I'll go to another forum. A better one. One forum where someone help me. Good day to everyone.
I would recommend the Canopus ADVC 110. It is an external device. The main reason is that it will not drop frames like a lot of internal cards will. If enough frames get dropped, you loose the audio video synch. It also has a special codec that locks video and audio together.
I would strongly suggest you NOT get the Pinnacle PCTV. Many people have trouble with it dropping frames, and Pinnacle's customer support is very poor. IF you have a newer computer, you can use capture cards successfully if you don't try to do other things on the computer at the same time. Probably the best capture cards come from ATI. Make sure it is for PAL format if you get one off eBay or Amazon. If you want to record a show that you will eventually burn to DVD, it is probably best to record in MPEG-2 format first...rather than AVI. Some cards will only do one of these, and some cards will do both. Once you convert the MPEG-2 to DVD VOB files, the best editor is DVD Remake from dimadsoft.com.
I'm no expert, but I've been using a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR USB2. It includes hardware MPEG-2 compression. I've mostly used it for transferring VHS tapes to DVD. It includes ULead MovieFactory which is great for this. The software includes "time shifting" features so you can use it as a PVR. I haven't had any problems of dropped frames as far as I can tell. There are a number of different versions of this product - eg internal cards, digital TV versions etc. From what I've read its well worth getting one with the hardware MPEG-2 compression. I would avoid Dazzle - as I was looking around I came across too many poor reviews/comments about this product. I would also consider Avermedia products. For a while I worked in Taipei and would lunch in the restaurant next to their HQ. Really nice people - no way to judge a product though!
Thanks. I can't buy a capture card because I'm planning to record a TV show when I'm out of home (with very different computers). I was thinking that I could buy a Dazzle, but if you guys don't recommned it, I don't know. And yes, I'mk plannig to transfer that to a DVD( but that I can convert it myself). And thanks for thes responses.
I would agree...stay away from the Dazzle. Any of the Hauppauge devices should work fine, and they get the best reviews for MPEG-2. I got an external Canopus unit for VHS/TV to MPEG conversion, but so far the results are less than desirable. It certainly is not as good as the VHS to avi ADVC-110 I mentioned above. Hauppauge will likely be my next try. As far as recording when you are away, there are different software programs that will start and stop recording a program whether or not you are using an internal card. Some of these internal cards come with one version or another of this software. Look for names like Beyond TV and Sage TV.
"I can't buy a capture card because I'm planning to record a TV show when I'm out of home" I don't really understand this. Whether a card or an external unit, I think all of these will require your PC to be ON whilst you are out. They use the PC for storage. If you want the unit to function standalone whilst you are out, then maybe you should consider a DVD based video recorder (or one with a hard disc)
lol I have a DVD Recorder. But I want to record when I'm out of home, and of course, I'll be in touch with a computer.
Are you familiar with TiVO where you live? It records programs when you are away. Some consider it an expensive monthly service. There is software that does the same thing...and one such package is the Beyond TV I mentioned above. All you have to do is input the time and channel you want to record, and it will do the rest. Also, you don't have to be in touch using another computer when you are away to do this. Just input the info. You can, of course, communicate with the PC with remote PC software to set up these program times. None of this, however, has anything to do with what kind of capture device you choose. This is all about the related software.
I think he means he wants to take the device with him to use on what ever computer he happen to be using. JMO
Ahhhh johnnyd54...now that you mention it...that might make a little more sense. I took the "different computer" part to mean he had more than one computer at home and didn't want a card for each one. I do see a problem if he is going to be using more than one computer "on the road"...as he will likely need ADMIN privileges to install the device's software.
lol Don't worry, I'll have the ADMIN privileges, so I'll install the device. I'm thinking I I'll buy the Dazzle one, or the Pixel View, there both the same price . And thanks to all.
