VCR to computer

Does anyone know of any way to connecy my VCR or my analog video camera into my computer so that I can edit home videos, work videos, etc? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks
~Rob

1. RE: VCR to computer
lbyard Mar-28-02 02:23 PM
In response to message 0

You need a video capture board such as http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Vidcard/ati/tv_wond/atitvwon.htm (that review is a couple of years old) or a display adapter which has a TV tuner (which differnt than one with just a TV out--you need on with a TV-IN). Larry

2. RE: VCR to computer
Jim P Mar-29-02 03:47 PM
In response to message 1

Some suggestions from an amateur -
You also need editing software (it might come with the video capture board), a cpu at least about 500MHz - faster is better up to a point, hard drive at least ATA 66 with a HUGE amount of available space on a single partition, and plenty of ram (for faster editing). Low end hardware will give you small, low resolution video (only looks good in a tiny size) with a tendancy to skip frames, and the audio may be out of sync. For about $100 (that's a few years ago - they might be less expensive now) you can get hardware/software that will display video nicely on a monitor, and will output good quality AV back to the line-in on your vcr.
I think any pc video capture device on usb or parallel ports isn't worth the time - they're too slow to handle the signal coming in. Look for something that installs in a pci slot.
Have a look at Pinnacle Systems' FAQ and user forums for some good insights. Jim P

3. RE: VCR to computer
roebling May-21-02 03:27 PM
In response to message 1

Read your response to Larry...have same question. Will the ATI TV Wonder work with an AMD Athlon Processor, do I need to remove the existing output only video card in my Presario 7000, and do you have to have a tv hooked up too, or will it work with just the VCR? I plan on doing the editing through Windows Moviemaker...is this good software? Thanks, Sally

4. RE: VCR to computer
lbyard May-21-02 03:56 PM
In response to message 3

>Will the ATI TV Wonder work with an AMD Athlon Processor
It should, but I have not tried it and currently do not have the TV board available to try.
>do I need to remove the existing output only video card in my Presario 7000
No. If do you are not going to see anything on your monitor
>do you have to have a tv hooked up too
No. The TV card essentially turns you computer into a TV set, among other things. TV programs appear in a Windows Window and other Windows doing other things can be doing other things at the same time (suggest reading the review referenced in my last post for details).
>will it work with just the VCR?
(Obviously from the last answer) yes
>I plan on doing the editing through Windows Moviemaker...is this good software?
Dunno; someone else will have to answer that one. Larry

5. RE: VCR to computer
roebling May-21-02 08:11 PM
In response to message 4

Thanks for your quick response. I now have a direction to go.
Sally