Converting analogue video to digital

[rob1969]

Hi, I have a collection of 8mm camcorder tapes that I'm trying to convert to digital on my PC. I have a K-World dvd maker usb 2.0 which is basically a device that converts a composite or s-video conection from your camcorder to a usb conection to your computer. I have been using various Ulead capture and editing programmes which capture ok but the video becomes a little jerky. I dont think it is actually losing any frames it just isn't smooth, especially on zooming in / out and panning shots. My computer is plenty powerfull enough with a 3.0 ghz AMD Athlon processor and 512 DDR Memory. Would an onboard video capture card make any difference, if so which should I go for. Failing that I was thinking of buying a cheap DVD recorder with composite connections and converting to DVD that way, then editing on PC afterwards. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[G20RG B]

Hi,I had a chat with some friends a few months ago who are in the Camcorder business about this very subject. Im sure the advice was to convert you 8mm to DVC tape or DVD first before you go to the computer. You picture quality will actually be improved transferring from 8mm to DVC/DVD. Of course you will require a DVC camcorder with analogue inputs to convert you 8mm to DVC or the other way is to get a DVD recorder with suitable inputs and convert to DVD format.
Once you have your chosen DVC/DVD format you can then uae a suitable editing software package(pinnacle) to customise your film.

Hope this is of some help!

George

[jimminy cricket]

i had this problem a while back.

i had a hi8 camcorder and had bought a DV camcorder.

i went to use the Hi8 and it was FUBAR'd.

i bought another one second hand and used RCA leads to record from the new Hi8 camcorder onto the DV tapes in the DV camcorder.

once done i bought a IEEE 1394 card.

this came with the lead that has a mini USB end for the DV camcorder.

apparently this allowed me to upload it "un-compressed" and i was then able to edit and burn the footage using my pinnacle software.

i hope this helps?

[rob1969]

Thanks for the info. I was contemplating buying a DVD recorder anyway, so I think I will go that route and then edit afterwards on PC.
Many thanks once again.
Rob

[ErnestM]

Highly recommend one of these:

www.adstech.com/products/API-558-EFS/intro/API-558_intro.asp?pid=API-558-EFS





My father uses one to import all of his old vhs stuff to digital. Requires a 1394 (firewire) connection.

ErnestM

PS: Most video creation and capture stuff does not work really well with USB. Best to avoid it.