How Do You Buy A Video Capture Card?
You use a video capture card to get analog video from a camcorder or VCR onto your computer (that is, to digitize the video) or to transfer video from a digital camcorder to your computer. Consumer video capture cards cost between $200 and $1,000. Several types of external video capture devices cost about $200 or less. Many cards bundle video editing software with the hardware. Step 1 Read reviews in computer and video magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices. Step 2 Compare features of any bundled video editing programs. Step 3 Consider a multipurpose video card to save money. Step 4 Look for a card with S-VHS quality for better video, or a FireWire (IEE1394) port if you will be using a digital camcorder. Step 5 Compare the audio and video inputs and outputs on the cards. Look for an S-video jack if you will be using video hardware with S-video input or output. Step 6 Find out the transfer rates of cards under consideration. Expect to pay more for faster cards. Step 7 Comp
