Video Capture Recommendation

[terryZ]

I recently bought a Gateway GT-5034. It came with XP Media Center and an ATI Theater 550 Pro TV Tuner card. I had hoped to use this combination to transfer VHS tapes (which are themselves transfers of old 8MM family "video") to DVD.

I can hook up my VCR and view the tapes through XP Media Center with no problem. Recording the video is the problem.

XP Media Center will save the video as a DVR-MS file. I had hoped to be able to edit each tape into separate chapters. The only way I can do this is to burn the DVR-MS file to DVD+R (using XP Media Center which for some reason won't let me us a DVD+RW), rip that video back to my hard drive and then use DVD-Shrink or Nero to edit it. Not very direct and a waste of DVD+R media.

I began looking at video capture software and have come across the following software:

Blaze Media Pro, SnapStream Beyond TV, WinDVD and something called GraphEdit.

They all have trial versions. But I was wondering if anyone has experience in what I am trying to do? Can you recommend any of these programs or recommend that I avoid any of them? Is there other software I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[jmtjet]

I use Pinnacle Studio 9 for capture and editing. Works well for me. I've heard that Studio 9 is better than Pinnacle's newer version, Studio 10. It's reasonably priced and easy to use;
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSit...version+10.htm

If you deside to purchasing Studio 9 don't buy the SE version. It's a lite version of Studio.

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...pno~356934.asp

From eBay:
http://computers.search.ebay.com/Pin...8QQsacatZ58058

Hope this helps.

[terryZ]

Thanks, jmtjet.

I have Pinnacle 9 still installed. It does not see the TV Turner card.

[jmtjet]

OK, you would need either firewire or USB 2.0 for capture. Never used a TV card so I can't advise on it. Sorry.

[Triple7's]

I have Pinnacle 9 still installed. It does not see the TV Turner card.

Ya, the card isn't on the "compatable" list at Pinnacles website.
That's the issue with a lot of capture devices. This software only detects these cards, that software only detects those cards, etc. When you buy a capture device, you usually get the software bundle with it.
I went to intervideo's website, makers of windvd creator and your card is listed as supported. I didn't check the other three however.

[terryZ]

Thanks, Triple7's.

My PC had Media Center "bundled" with the TV Turner card.

I'm planning on installing the trial versions of those software I mentioned this weekend (if I have time) and see how they perform.

I started this thread to see if anyone has had any bad (or good) experiences with them.

[Triple7's]

Hey zeszut.
Blaze media says it will record from any capture device. Might be worth a try.
SnapStream Beyond TV I wouldn't bother with. See this page and supported devices.
GraphEdit is a conversion tool that looks a little confusing and more time consuming then the way your already doing it.

[Ridgerunr]

According to ATI's web site,that card comes with,or is compatible for the ATI software for video capture.
( http://www.ati.com/products/theater550/index.html )

That being the case,if you install the ATI MMC software and connect your VCR to the card input. In the MMC program,you should have the option of setting it to 'composite' which is required for pulling video from other than a TV set and click on 'record' to capture to a file of your choice.

For specific instructions on how to do this, you might want to have a read here ...

[terryZ]

Thanks, Ridgerunr.

Your first link takes me to ATI but I can't find MMC mentioned anywhere there.

I did a google on "MMC SOFTWARE" and found the link to "ATI Video Cards - NEW MMC" but when I went to that site, I was directed to a page that began " Unauthorized download. We're sorry, but this download request cannot be authorized."

I do see references to "MMC DRIVERS" and to "Multimedia Center is ATI’s award winning PC based suite of applications" but none to any particular software called MMC.

Sorry but I'm confused here.

[Ridgerunr]

Ok,,I'm posting the page at ATI you need to go to. But the way their site is set-up,it may not let you on.
https://support.ati.com/ics/support/...e&folderID=293

It should get you to the proper driver page though. In the left pane click on the + next to Windows XP. Then the + next to TV Tuners. Then the + next to TV Wonder Pro/TV etc. Then click on the 'previous drivers & software'. Click the bottom listing of the 4 TV Wonder Pro entries.
Of the groups of drivers listed by date,you can pick the ones that fit the age of your card with one exception. The ATI MultiMedia Center 8.8 would be the one I would choose. Much less add-on garbage included and sets-up easier for capturing. While your at it,dn/load the release notes for more info.

Don't forget the site I gave in my first post relating to how to set up the ATI capture software. Much of it can be dn/loaded in PDF(you'll need adobe reader)...

[terryZ]

Thanks, Ridgerunr, but you're making me more confused.

I don't know why you're directing me to driver pages. The TV Tuner card I have works fine. I don't need a driver for it. What I asked for are recommendations on the software programs I've found for ripping VHS tapes through the Tuner card I have that *does* work.

Sorry but I'm missing your point. Thanks for your effort anyway.

[Ridgerunr]

What I was trying to say is,it's an ATI card. Get rid of the drivers(uninstall) you now have and do a fresh install of the ATI drivers "including" the MMC(Multimedia Center) drivers needed for capturing video...

[terryZ]

Hm ...

I'm not sure I want to go the driver un/install route just yet since I fail to see the advantage in doing that. I can capture video just fine. I just don't have any software that can edit those captures. Besides, following the links on the ATI site just leads me to driver downloads. I don't see any downloads for software (MMC or otherwise).

XP Media Center will play the video and save it to files with "DVR-MS" extensions. I can't do any editing on those files except have Media Center burn them to DVD.

I'll look into the video software I mentioned in my initial thread post and get back to you.

[terryZ]

Well, here's and update ... and the solution.

I spent yesterday installing and trying the programs (and more) I mentioned in my first post.

Blaze Media Pro and two others I found later (Cutterman & WinDV) did not see my ATI Tuner card. WinDVD crashed my system everytime I opened it. Beyond TV conflicted with Windows Media Center. That left VideoReDo which seemed to be okay.

However, I also searched to net for ways to convert Media Center's "DVR-MS" extension files to something I could edit. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that NERO supports DVR-MS files! Who would have thought.

I have NERO 6 ... so my solution was already on my machine.

Thanks so very much to all who posted. Sorry this turned into a wild goose chase.