How to convert analog video to digital

[ericfabre]

Hey, guys. Anyone of you knows of a program, software or hardware that i could use to convert analog videos to digital? I am planning to make my own L&C videos. Unfortunately my video camera is analog.

I would appreciate any advice you could give me. Thanks a lot.

[dendrin]

If its analogue you will have to buy a video capture card. Most TV cards have this ability and come with the software to do it. Although VirtualDub is a free third party program to use preferred by most.

Here is a popular PC TV card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815293006

The main problem with analogue is the conversion time, it has a moderate learning curve to do good conversions, and takes hours to encode video even on fast computers. If you plan on shooting alot of video its a worthwhile investment to get a digital camcorder, which can output the video directly to a digital format.

[ericfabre]

If its analogue you will have to buy a video capture card. Most TV cards have this ability and come with the software to do it. Although VirtualDub is a free third party program to use preferred by most.

Here is a popular PC TV card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815293006

The main problem with analogue is the conversion time, it has a moderate learning curve to do good conversions, and takes hours to encode video even on fast computers. If you plan on shooting alot of video its a worthwhile investment to get a digital camcorder, which can output the video directly to a digital format.

Thanks a lot Dendrin. I know now why photo encoders charge me so much just to convert a short analog video to digital. I thought I'd do it myself. Maybe I should buy another video camera, a digital one.

[filmguy]

Just a heads up before you buy a new camera. While you can get a digital camcorder for a few hundred dollars at your local best buy, you need to do some research abut what kind of video quality you want.

You're going to shoot L&C videos? If you want it to be professional quality, you're going to have to spend a lot more for a camera, as a little consumer cam ("one chip") is great for home videos, but not so great for making videos you intend to sell. Nothing irritates me more than paying for a clips4sale clip only to realize it's basically shot on a cellphone. A good professional camera (Cannon XL) will run at least 6 grand for HD, and around 3 grand for SD (Cannon GL2). In comparison, an HD consumer camera will be around a grand, but the difference is noticeable.

The most important thing you need to know, regardless of camera, is that video takes a TON of space. You WILL need to buy at least a 500gig external harddrive to store the footage you digitized. That'll allow you to edit it (if you have the software for that), make clips, etc.

Stuff like this takes a LOT of capital to start off. I think a reason so many of these companies fail is because they fail to comprehend how much work and money goes in to shooting, digitizing and editing decent quality video.

[phoneman]

Filmguy, thanks for the informative and insightful comment.

[filmguy]

Filmguy, thanks for the informative and insightful comment.

You're welcome. Hopefully I didn't discourage the OP from starting his l&c production company, if that's what he really wants to do.

[ericfabre]

You're welcome. Hopefully I didn't discourage the OP from starting his l&c production company, if that's what he really wants to do.

Actually, the videos that I am planning to make are for my own personal collection, and maybe share some of it in this forum. Thanks anyway for that invaluable information.

[goneju]

Its so nice to hear from u that u are planning to make ur own lift and carry clips. Wish u all the best for it.:thumbup2:

Actually, the videos that I am planning to make are for my own personal collection, and maybe share some of it in this forum. Thanks anyway for that invaluable information.