ok this is the situation...
I have some really old tapes on vhs tapes and i need to get them in my computer for editing but i'm having trouble capturing the movie. i'm using premiere 6.5 and i have a nividea gforce 5900 video capture card. I used to have ATI all in wonder and i Loved it but my new computer came with the nividea. anyhow, to make problems worst i have the dazzle dvd conversion unit and it sucks so i gave up with that. I changed the project setting in premiere to capture with my video card but that doesn't work either -gives me error message that video card is busy. The only choice i have now is the sony dsr 11 deck which only goes for like $1500 and up and i don't have that kind of money. please can someone suggest another option or explain to me what am I doing wrong. thanks.

Im not sure how to solve your graphics card problem, hopefully someone else will (try posting the exact error message you get) But the DSR deck isn't your only option. Several companies produce capture boxes to convert anaogue to digital. I use the Canopus ADVC100, but its expensive too (300 or 200 sumthing w/ student discount) There are several consumer options available though for under 100 bux. Heres a pretty big forum on the subject, you might want to check out: Capture Help

I've got the ADVC100...it's great. I paid about $200 and got it before they took out the ability to defeat macrovision. It's really simple and the audio-video are always sync'd.

If you don't want to buy something, maybe you could borrow a camcorder that has analog input and digital output...import it onto tape and then capture it with Premiere. (I never figured out how to do it with "pass-thru")

so basically the ADVC100 comes with its own sofware the helps capture video to your computer from the vcr (or any other output source) to the ADVC100 to the computer. another thing is there a big difference from the ADVC100 and the 300? or the 300 is not worth the extra 200? thanks.

The difference b/w the two is that ADVC 300 features "high-quality image enhancement technology including digital noise reduction and image stabilization" Whatever all that means. Basically I think it cleans up your analogue footage while it captures. The 100 captures as is though, so whatever you see on the VHS you get in the digital file.(and could clean up with other software later, if you so desired). I'd say its not worth the extra 200 unless your using it for professional purposes, but its up to you.

The 100 hooks up to the computer via firewire, and is recognized by premiere. (I think you have to install the canopus codec, which is bundled with the unit) The box takes any analog input and can also export from digital to analog (IE pc to vcr)

Thanks a lot particleman you've been very helpful. I think im going to go with the 100 and I'll do any video correction on premiere. Thanks again.

by the way Lost Springs is one the best shorts on SF --simply amazing, great job.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: greendaydiaz,