Capturing Audio with the video hardware?

[markrb]

Now that I have decided to get the PixelView capture card I need to know if I will have to upgrade my audio hardware so I can be sure of good overall captures.

Right now I use the built in audio functions of my Epox 8K3A+ motherboard which I believe is a C-Media chipset. I am also pretty sure I have a Sound Blaster Live Value floating around as well.

Would I be better served to upgrade my Audio capabilities for the capture? I don't care about the audio out quality since the built in has been just fine for me and the little I use it.

I think I remember reading how the SB Live isn't the best at capturing audio while capturing video. I think I read about major sync issues.

If I do need to upgrade what would you suggest?

Thanks,
Mark

[cjv]

Hi markrb,

From what I've heard and experienced, onboard chips are usually not the greatest, and can suffer from interference. I had major troubles on my old computer with its onboard sound...would make "humming" every time I moved the mouse. Thus, I had one bad experience and personally stay far away from any onboard sound...however _you_ may have no troubles with it.

About the SBLive, yea, it can have its troubles. I used to suffer from sync problems with it, but I was also recording via the audio-passthrough on my AIW, and at 44100Hz. Then I read somewhere that SBLive works internally at 48000Hz, and must up/down sample all other rates. Once I started capping at 48000Hz PCM stereo, I never had sync problems again.

About sound quality, if you can get your SBLive to keep sync OK, then I think it would be unnecessary to upgrade. Putting all Creative/SB opinions aside, the emu10k1 is a very decent chip, and for our purposes I highly doubt you will hear a difference compared to some of the newer chips.

If I remember correctly, you wanted to capture some laserdiscs, right? Although I admit I've never actually seen a Laserdisc player before :), I am under the impression that they have a digital out. This would be the best way to cap the audio if you can get it to work. The SBLive Value does not have SPDIF-in, unless you mod it.

Suggestions...ummm, can't really help too much here. The Philips Acoustic Edge is a high quality older card which means it should be relatively inexpensive. It has nothing to do with Creative and the emu10k1 chipset, and does have SPDIF-in/out, which might come in handy, although I don't know for a fact if there are any issues with capturing.

I will personally always stay away from Creative now, (unless someone gives it to me as a gift), and afaik the new Audigy series are mostly useful for gamers and people watching DVD via their computers, with computer speakers.

cjv