How do you upload an analog video onto a computer?

[FizMan]

What kind of quality loss do you get on a USB capture device? I'm going to be picking up one soon...

I'm using a DV Camera, so would the quality loss be comparable to going down to hi8? Do you get a lot of dropped frames using the USB?

[stevek]

Another solution that may not cost you a dime. I assume if you have edit software you have a capture card, so if your asking this question, you're card is DV. If you have that you may have or can barrow a Digital Camera (Digital-8, Mini-DV or what ever has DV I/O on it) YOu can typically connect the output from one camera to the input of the other (assuming you have the cables for both Cameras, you can use barrels (Female-Female coupler adapter or patch it through a VCR) This is taking Analog out of Cam 1 to Analog In on DV Camera. Then you will have a Tape that you can feed into your computer via Firewire. NOTE: Some DV Cameras don't allow Analog In for Recording, so you have to try it and see. If it doesn't work borrow another!

If this works for you, great. I've used this to tranfer from VHS Tapes to get into an edit- prior to buying an Analog-DV Convertor. Now I use a AVID Mojo that has both Analog and DV I/O. But both of these methods cost money, while the above method is Free of Charge if you can get your hands on the Equipment.

[Jeff K.]

Pinnacle

I prefer Pinnacle because the editing software is really easy to work with and also I got the Studio AV/DV http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPa...50&Langue_ID=7
It's really easy to install the card into your computer and if I'm correct, also has a 4-6 pin firewire cable - 30 bucks, the software - 80 bucks, and the card is also analog video imput, the yellow one, and firewire, has 2 ports of each -30 bucks, and I got that at Costco for only 80 bucks, I think good deal, but you still need to find a way to import the sound, but it also includes the RCA adapter - Dont know how much, to change the red and white wire into the stereo plug ins for connecting it into a microphone port in your computer. I see it as a good deal because getting everything seperate can run you up to about...150 bucks including tax or somewhere around there.

And good luck with your project