Suggestions on Video Capture

SQ · Post by SQ » Sun Oct 12, 2003 3:58 pm

Since I'll be talking about both hardware and software, I thought to just put this topic in this forum, but if the mods decide to move it, go right ahead...

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Okay, I have a bit of a problem. I don't know whether I should get a video capture card, WinTV, or some special program that guarentees to rip all game footage from the DVD/CD.

Here's my plight.

EVERY game ripper online, I have tried, and NONE of them work for me. I've gone thorugh the video game guide many, many times, downloaded suggested programs, AND went out of my way to download every other program out there to rip my games. They all don't work for me! ><;;

So, I'm stuck with a few options.
-Play all my games while they're connected to a VCR, record it on tape, and then use that footage to work with (Via capture card[is this possible?] or WinTV.. A sort of watch movies on on your CPU program. I've bought it before, so I know how it works, it's just that I have XP now, so if I'd have to upgrade).

-Get a video capture card, and play games while it's hooked up to that.

- Get one of those "magic" programs that swear they can rip any game.
or

- Try and find a VCD/DVD of all the FMVs for the games I want on ebay(highly unlikely!)

Money is not a problem right now, and take note that I have absolutely NO KNOWLEDGE in video capture(outside of WinTV).
Suggestions, please?

(This is really for PSX and PS2 games, possibly Dreamcast, also. I'm having no trouble with one game, I have several I'd like to rip, so I know it's not the games.. It must be the programs and/or my computer.)

Fungie½ · Post by **Fungie½** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:38 pm

If you're using PSX games, there shouldn't be a problem using a ripper. The best one IMO is PSMPlay and it works like a charm and can be found at http://segu.psxemu.com/. Any problems I can help you with it. Just contact me on AIM or PM me.

Now, onto Playstation 2 and Dreamcast games. Depending on the game, it's a tad impossible to rip to rip from PS2, and it is impossible for Dreamcast. So, you would want to get a capture card, hook it up to the system, and play the game and capture the sequences. I heard the WinTV works nicely. If you're up for something WAY more expensive with better quality, try the Pinnacle DV500DVD. But like I said, WAY more expensive. What I'd do is use the WinTV, capture the sequences, and do a little bit of cleaning up on em.

Best of luck!

SQ · Post by SQ » Mon Oct 13, 2003 4:28 pm

Yeah, I was thinking of WinTV as the better choice right now, since I already know how to use it and have most of my gameplay on VHS already. Plus, I need it for cons and stuff anyway for output.. ¬¬

Of course, there's the problem with quality, but I guess learning how to touch up isn't too bad.

Yes, I've tried PsmPlay and just about everything else(as previously stated) if an error doesn't pop up, it just produces a file with nothing in it. After fiddling with it, and reinstalling it 3 times, I just gave up on it and downloaded all my FFIX footage.

How much is Pinnacle?

Fungie½ · Post by **Fungie½** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 7:18 pm

Pinnacle's DV500DVD is around $500 I think. Really expensive. By the way, I wouldn't suggest recording the gameplay onto tape since it will kill the quality when you capture it. Also, I'd suggest using VirtualDub for capture as it's quite nice ^^

SQ · Post by SQ » Mon Oct 13, 2003 7:42 pm

Well, 250 USD is my budget for this.
Since tape kills quality I guess I have to either go with the video capture card or magic software?

I know nothing of capture cards, so if you could suggest some of those and list prices...

Fungie½ · Post by **Fungie½** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 4:19 pm

Some capture cards that I've heard aren't too shabby:

Pinnacle DC10+ (I heard of some tech problems though) - you can probably find it on eBay, but it's out of print right now.
Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge - Captures in DV, easy to use, external for easy installaition but requires a firewire port. Get it off dazzle.com or at some stores.
Dazzle 80 - USB capture card, pretty cheap ($80), captures at 352x240, overall nice card for the price. Get it off of dazzle.com or at some stores.
And then there's always the WinTV card. I don't know much about it except that I heard it's pretty easy to use.

Good luck ^_^