Converting VHS tapes to MPEG2 CDs

[sanmask]

Hi Folks,

This is my first posting here and needed some advise from you guys on the graphics card for the new PC that I am assembling. The main purpose of the PC is to do some video editing. I have got a lot of VHS tapes containing home videos. I want to convert digitize them to MPEG format. Somebody suggested me ATI's All-In-Wonder Radeon DDR 32MB card for this purpose. I checked the price. The $250 price tag is a little over my budget. So before I invest in it I wanted to take your opinion. I have following questions.

1. Since video editing is my primary goal (and maybe playing MS Flight Simulator 2000, the secondary!) purpose of this PC, is the investment justified? Is the product worth the price?

2. Is there a better or more economical product that can do the same task?

Your guidance will be most appreciated.

Regards,

--- Sanmask

[RJ]

If you change your graphics card to a Radeon one, then you have gained two things:

1. A powerful graphics card with excellent picture quality
2. The possibility to record directly into MPEG-2

I wouldn't say that you really need the All-In-Wonder card. Just make sure that it's a Radeon and has MPEG-2-recording capability.
I don't know all Radeon models, but I believe the Radeon VE card is pretty cheap (about $120) and does MPEG-2 recording, too.

Another thing would be an add-on-TV-card, such as the WinTV PVR. It does its MPEG-2-recording very well, but it's a bit expensive.

RJ

[morriswindgate]

If you look at internet retailers you can get the ATI All-In-Wonder Raedon for 195 or if you are not a heavy duty gamer worried about having Quake run fast enough that you can boast to friends about it, go with the ATI All-In-Wonder 128 Retail. www.newegg.com has this one for $126.00 with all software and cables.