Recording from Video to PC

Hi,

I am a total newbie at trying to capture video onto my PC. Can anyone give me an overview of the basics needed (i.e. cables, settings and software). I am only interested in capturing a couple of minutes worth of video.

I have a Dell Dimension 5000 and Windows XP with Movie Maker 5.1. I have a Belkin USB VideoBus II which I installed and my PC seemed to recognize, but I couldn't actually get to the stage of being able to capture anything (I'm sure you're actually supposed to see the footage you're trying to capture on the PC monitor, right? ). There are so many ways I could have gone wrong, I don't know where to start. And I did read the instructions thoroughly, there just wasn't much to them.

As far as I know, my PC doesn't have a Video Capture Card (but I was led to believe you could capture video without it). I tried connecting the Belkin Videobus using an S-Video to USB and then the more basic cables I had, but I'm not even sure if that was correct (there is an S-Video socket at the back of my PC, but since the Videobus is USB, it isn't an option).

Is this too complicated an area to reply to on a forum?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

I think you may find that the S-Video at the back of your sys or vid card may be for output only. Go to the cards website and download the owners manual to obtain all your technical specs!

As far as getting the whole process up and running I can only recommend this site which seems to specialise in this area:

http://www.videohelp.com/

You will need a Video Capture program as well as the hardware!

This may cover the basic principles and although for Mac may be used generically:

http://www.macworld.com/2004/05/features/fromvhstodvd/

Let me know how you get on

 

edited.....

 

Ya might need driver update for your Belkin, Read this:
http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/48706-belkin-usb-videobus-ii.html

Looking at system requirements for your Belkin it doesnt list XP??:
http://www.ht.com.au/scripts/xworks.exe?PART:B4412




I have a Video capture card for sale in the Buy, Sell & Trade section:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=81905

 

Another link that may give some good articles is:

http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/