My Big "Problem"

[ron spencer]

Well....I have gotten quite good at making these DVD things....so much so that relatives have given me 40 Hi-8 and misc stuff to make on my "spare time". They have offered to pay a bit for some upgrades for me. I am using a PIII 866 512 megs ram.

So what do I do with the coin is the problem......I would like real time encoding, which I cannot get with my current system.

Here are my realistic options:

1. Get a Panasonic stand alone DVD Recorder.

Can anyone comment on these in terms of quality and features?
Any other brands.

2. Get a hardware encoder for my computer (would be way cool)

I do not know much about these. Is there one out there that has
features like TMPG (i.e. noise, CROPPING, etc).

Only hardware encoder I have seen that is not too $$$$ is from
Canopus:

http://www.canopus.us/US/products/MPEGPRO_MVR/pm_MPEGPRO_MVR.asp

I have no real need for editing. Just making the DVD. Any other hardware cards?

Any and all advice is most appreciated. Just remeber, there is not enought $$$ here for a top of the line $3000 encoder.

Thanks again!!!!

-ron

[Dimmer]

Have a look at this list of capture devices, both external and internal, at www.dvdrhelp.com (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCard=&searchconnection=Any&price=&orderby=Rating&Submit=Search&Search=Search). Canopus products have been at the top for a while there already. The card you looked at is a good choice if your relatives have lots of money to spare for your hobby or if you're going to start a business.

[violao]

Also check www.tv-cards.com (http://www.tv-cards.com/).