You may decide to add a video capture card to your PC for a variety of reasons, and there are two different ways to do it. The exact card you want depends on exactly what you plan to use it for.
Purpose
People use capture cards to record video games or television input. Since you're dealing with HD input, you'll obviously need to compare capture cards that have an HDMI input port. If you plan to use it primarily for video games, look for a card that claims it can easily connect to a machine like an Xbox 360 and PS3.
Internal or External
Internal cards require an available PCI express card slot on the computer. The advantage of using an internal capture card is the card uses your system resources directly, meaning they respond faster than an external device. Most external devices connect via USB, and the speed limits of the USB port make it difficult to record HD material. These devices are easier to set up, but may be slower than an internal card.
Reviews
Check for reviews before you buy. There are a few useful video capture card buying guides online, including the "Reflectzyn" guide and "Videomaker's" comparison of external and internal solutions. "CNET" has a comprehensive list of video capture cards that can be organized by manufacturer, price or review score.
Tags: capture card, video capture, capture cards, capture cards that, cards that, video capture card
