A VCR connects to a capture card hooked up to a computer.
VCR capture cards connect a video recorder with a digital recording device, such as a computer, so you can convert old analog tapes into a digital format. Once copied and stored on the computer hard drive, the video footage can be cleaned up and edited using digital image software then uploaded to a website or burned to a DVD. Capture cards are available with a variety of features and capabilities, but they consist of two basic types: internal and external.
Instructions
1. Turn around the computer tower or laptop to check for available card ports. Decide if you want an internal capture card or an external model. If you are comfortable opening a computer to install hardware and want the capture card available whenever you wish to use it, an internal card saves space on your desk and may be more convenient. For occasional video capture, an external card connects quickly with a USB cable.
2. Check the available jacks on your VCR and any other video equipment you may want to connect to the capture card. At minimum, the capture card should have RCA-type jacks for the VCR. A round S-video socket provides better picture quality and is a useful extra feature on a card. An IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port on the card will enable you to connect many brands of video cameras as well.
3. Match the processing speed, RAM (random access memory) and storage capacity of your computer with the minimum requirements of different capture cards. If your computer system cannot manage the card, it will be of no use to you.
4. Compare features of different cards to determine the best combination of features for the price. For example, frame-rate capture determines how smoothly your converted video will play after it is captured from the VCR and digitized for storage on your computer. Generally, the higher the frame-rate capture capability, the more expensive the capture card.
5. Check compatibility of the capture card with your computer's operating system. Some cards are designed for use only with Windows operating platforms, while others work with the Mac operating system.
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