Camcorder Help: Capturing in MPEG2

[svosen]

If I understand correctly, the only way to get DVD quality video from a MiniDV camcorder is to capture it in MPEG2 format.

On that assumption, how in the blue blazes do I do it?

I was under the impression that you had to have a firewire to achieve the necessary transfer rate, so I got firewire card. The software that came with it (Ulead Video Studio 5) says you can't capture MPEG2 on a firewire, but it doesn't say how I CAN capture in that format!!!

Any help?

[svosen]

Seriously - nobody can help me out here?

Even a nudge in the right direction would be appreciated...

[nhonetschlager]

I have no idea why it wouldnt transfer, but I wouldnt know because I use a video capture card to transfer my video.

[svosen]

I think you've hit it on the head.

I did some more reading, and I discovered that the capture card is a hardware encoder (changes the Mini DV format into the MPEG-1 or -2 format). I previously had no idea that was necessary; I was under the impression the software that came bundled with my FireWire card would do that.

Anyhow, now (if I'm understanding this right) I have the choice of getting a capture card capable of encoding MPEG formats, or I can look for [b]software[/] that has the capability to encode MPEG. I've heard that some new software encoders are every bit as good as the hardware encoders (capture cards), as long as your processor is up to the task.

So, now I'm looking for more specific advice, if anyone can offer it:

Should I go with the capture card (and if so, what's a good one for reasonable $)?

Or should I look for software that will encode my captured Mini-DV video into MPEG (and if so, what's a good one)??

Thanks for any help in advance.

And thanks to you too, nhonetschlager. If I had read your post earlier, it would have maybe saved me some research time...

edit: by the way, does your capture card use USB 2.0 or FireWire (IEEE 1394)?? Or is it set up with A/V (or S-video and component audio) jacks?

[nhonetschlager]

mine uses S-video and composite video jacks.

[svosen]

So what type of camcorder do you have? Is it an analog or a digital?

Will your card capture in both (analog or digital)? What brand is your card? It encodes MPEG-2?

Sorry to blast you with so many questions. I'm just trying to get this all figured out so I don't get the wrong equipment/software.

Thanks for your help, man - I really appreciate it

edit:

wait, I just noticed you didn't say anything about audio. Do you have to transfer the audio track separately, or will the capture card handle that as well?