Analog Video conversion to Digital

[sfmedic]

Hi if you have used video conversion devices which one works the best for you. Have you used any products from Zio Corp? And if you do video editing what system specs do you run?

My system
AMD 64 3200+ 2000mhz FSB
ATI mainboard 939pin on board video x200 128mb shared
512mb RAM
160gb HDD
on board sound

I get about 25fps using this set up with the CameraMate CM-50000.

Another question, what would be better at this point to upgrade in regards to cost to performance. Install a pci-e video card, freeing up the 128mb of RAM? Or install more RAM to improve performance? Or would both be best to do?

 

[sfmedic]

I feel stupid replying to my own message, but doesn't anybody have any advice on this subject?

 

[gsellis]

So many questions...

Dazzle is now with Pinnacle IIRC, which is now owned by Avid. I don't use one. I do have a 7500 AIW that I use for capture, but so rarely that I have not used it in a year or more. IF I was to buy one, I would either get a Pinnacle Moviebox DV (I like Pinnacle and it works with my editor) or one of the Canopus devices. If your device has WMD drivers, it may be recognized by some of the standard editors. But, there are other devices including one that captures in MPEG-2 for about $30 (OK, what the heck is it called...). The issue with editing MPEG-2 is that it is a compressed format and has to be handled gently. I prefer capture in AVI/DV format, but it requires at least 13GB/hr of video.

My systems for editing are listed in the signature link.

I have a laptop that Pinnacle Studio 9 will run on with about the same specs as your machine, so you have enough at the baseline. To upgrade, add another drive (250GB ~= $100) and another 512MB of memory. IF you use Pinnacle Studio 9, adding a X600 video card will improve the fps and some effects rendering, BUT the X200 in my laptop does well on SD video (as opposed to High Def). I think with Studio, you can get a full 30fps if you are NTSC. PAL is normally 25fps.

Pinnacle has a trial at... Link to Studio Trial page

Adobe, Sony, Ulead, Sonic, and a few others also have video editors in this same consumer space, so you can check there too.

 

[sfmedic]

Thanks for the correction about dazzle. Zio has some products named dazzle. I edited out the erroneous information. These forums are very light on this subject.

 

[gsellis]

The best place for stuff like this is Videohelp. It covers disc compatibilty, codec conversion and lots of stuff inbetween. Once you have decided on an editor to use, the vendors usually sponsor a self-support forum where you can ask specific questions.

 

[sfmedic]

I have been searching for a site like this. THanks for the link! I will search that site far and wide to find a solution to converting old 8mm camcorder footage to Digital. Thanks gsellis.

 

[HDTVdesignteam]

We use Studio 9 as a desktop standard for non broadcast desktop editing. Several dozen systems use the Pinnicle AV/DV deluxe for analog to digital ingest.
As mentioned before, get at least a gig of RAM and a separate media drive.
George