Video Capture Advice?

[Alex Ethridge]

Let's say I wanted to transfer video from a VHS or 8mm to some kind of computer format. I am not interested in movie-type editing. I just want to get it into some kind of electronic format for permanent storage so that it doesn't degrade over time.

Does one have to spend $300 and up for this task or are there other alternatives that are satisfactory?

What are the pitfalls (if any) of the various methods and types of video capture cards?

 

[Rockn]

Get a DVD-ROM and burn some DVD movies. It would be $300 minimum.

 

[stanggt2]

get a good TV card (ATI TV wonder card)
hook the camcorder or VCR up to it
play your movie and you can record it to your hard drive
then you can burn it on cd or dvd
I burn them to cd now and wait for the dvd burners to come down in price

 

[stanggt2]

This might be something else to think about http://www.tigerdirect.com/email/mil233.asp

 

[Alex Ethridge]

Thanks for the link.

TigerDirect does sell things of reasonably good quality; however, being the comparison shopper I am, I am wondering if there is a better way or better equipment at the same or a better price.

Also, not knowing anything about this kind of thing, I am wondering if maybe there are some down-sides to this method that a more experienced person could tell me.