Devices for putting VCR video on a computer or Laptop questions...

[Primex]

OK, pretend I'm an idiot (but just pretend, don't really think that way) and could someone explain to me what a firewire is? I was told in another topic that I need this for a camcorder to transmit feed to a program on my computer (I'm using Sonic, which was already on my computer). What does Firewire do and what are good brands to buy? And what's a PCI expansion wire? Does video capture devices work for older VCR's too? Or just the newer versions? Or not at all? And what exactly are video capture devices? Sorry if this all sounds basic, like I said earlier, just pretend I'm dumb and that this all new to me.

 

[The_Other_One]

Firewire is basically like USB. It works in different ways and is actually much faster(about 20% faster than USB2.0) There is actually a form of video called DV, and it's quite widely used for editing because of how well it preserves quality and how cheap hardware is.

Now, if you want to capture something from a VCR, you can't JUST use firewire. VCRs are analog and DV is digital(DigitalVideo, also called Firewire, iLink, etc...) You will either need a converter(RCA to firewire) which go for around 200, or a USB capture card(about $60 for a decent one)

 

[Primex]

Firewire is basically like USB. It works in different ways and is actually much faster(about 20% faster than USB2.0) There is actually a form of video called DV, and it's quite widely used for editing because of how well it preserves quality and how cheap hardware is.

Now, if you want to capture something from a VCR, you can't JUST use firewire. VCRs are analog and DV is digital(DigitalVideo, also called Firewire, iLink, etc...) You will either need a converter(RCA to firewire) which go for around 200, or a USB capture card(about $60 for a decent one)

Ok that sounds a little clearer. Are the converters easy to use? What's a USB capture card? Can both of these be used on a laptop? Can these be found in a store like Best Buy? What are some decent brands?

 

[potshot87]

My method of storing a VHS video into my computer is to use a TV tuner card. I connect the VCR to the antennae input on the TV tuner card, and tune it to Channel 3 (channel depends on certain settings and location). I play the VCR, using a recording software to capture that into a movie file.

PRO: Basic TV Tuner Cards are fairly cheap these days. Less than $30 sometimes.

CON: Loss of quality (especially audio quality), depending on the TV Tuner Card; takes more time (the time it takes to play the whole VHS video); more complicated and will take time to get everything set up the right way.

Hope that helps you some.