TV/VHS-VCR video capture.Resolution varies?

[augi]

I want to buy a TV-tuner card for capturing TV-signals and recording VHS video tapes to my hard drive. I have a question:
The capture resolution of the signal varies from one card to another:confused:? I thouhgt that the TV signal/VHS video had a fixed resolution (about 388x284 I think). But I read the specs of two cards and:
I) Hauppauge WinTV-GO: video capture at 388x284
II)Pinnacle Studio PCTV: video capture MPEG1 352x288, MPEG2 480x576,720x576.

That means that one card can capture a TV signal at higher resolutions than another? I can't find info on that nowhere, so anyone who knows something plz post a reply.

[haroldw]

I'm not positive about the resolution of a standard TV signal, myself. As far as the TV cards being able to handle higher resolutions, many, or it may be most TV cards also have a composite video input and a few also have S-Video input, in addition to the built-in tuner. One place the higher resolutions can come into play, is when attaching other devices, that can output higher resolutions to these additional input jacks on the TV/capture cards.

[dar1us]

Try to capture at the highest possible, most cards will allow you to select a few different resoloutions. Ideally, a PAL/NTSC/CheeseCAM:) card would allow you to select upto 768x576 (or 720x480 under NTSC) - dunno about SECAM. You should capture at your higest possible.

To totally avoid interlacing problems, capture at half of you highest vertical res (in PAL, capture at 288 instead of 576 and NTSC 240 instead of 480). I guess, TV signals under PAL are broadcast at 625 lines and 525 under NTSC but you can still capture them at 576 or 480 respectivly. There will be some definitive guide somewhere on the net. Try looking for Nicky Page's Digital Solutions. It has some LIGHT reading on the issues of Interlacing and things like that.