Video Recording Help!

[Jun aka Pekto]

Hey Mates,

I need your advice, should I buy a TV tuner for laptop with video recording capability or buy a device that could transfer VHS to Digital video...

I need advantages and disadvantages of the both.

If I'm not mistaken, a tv tuner is similar to that other device except it has an analog tv tuner built in.

The VHS-digital device should have more connection options such as FW and usb. But if you're converting VHS, you'll most likely use composite......... a connection the tv tuner should already have. At least I'm sure about the composite A/V input. Not all tv tuner cards have an Svideo In port. So, check to make sure there is an SVideo In.

Main disadvantage of a tv tuner is having capture software but not video-editing software. However, it is the more versatile from my view. Plus, it's generally cheaper.

The main advantage of a pure VHS-digital capture convert device is that many tend to have video-editing software bundled with the hardware. Main disadvantage is that's its only function. Plus, it tends to be more expensive than a tv tuner.

If you're thinking of converting commercial VHS movies, be careful. Many devices can't read the video because of copy protection. This is specially true of the newer devices. Luckily, I have an old Hauppage WinTV PCI (1998) that's not affected by copy protection.

Also, you'll find the quality of vhs to digital conversion isn't going to be that great. But, they're fine if you'll view these videos in an iPod.

I was going to throw my old WinTV away. But now, I find it useful for converting all my old vhs movies to digital and eventually mp4.