Question for you computer experts

[Marty]

Have had a HI-8 video camera for about a year.  Problem is that the only way to look at the tape is to use the camera, so sending footage to Larisa's family is useless unless I buy them a similar camera too (mine has the PAL format).  So I was all excited when the computer salesman tells me about the "All in Wonder RADEON 8500DV" and tells me I'll have no problem running it on my computer.  Guess what?  My intent is to download HI-8 video to a CD so anybody can view it.  I also like the idea of downloading movies to disk so I can watch them on my laptop.  

My computer has Windows 98,SE 4.10; a Celeron 560Mhtz processor; and 64 MB Ram.  Hey, it was top of the line when I bought it.

System requirements for the 8500DV are: Windows ME/2000/XP; and 64MB Ram.  

Is this going to work?

I also just bought a new laptop that has Windows XP home version on it.  Would it be possible to use the disk "for use with new Compaq computer only" to upgrade my windows?  

Many thanks in advance.

[Marty]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

Thanks for the input.  Dug into the video program and found it needs AGP slots where I have PCI slots on my computer.  I really don't feel like upgrading my desktop right now so will try downloading in PAL onto a vcr tape as suggested(unless someone tells me theres a problem with this too).  Also just found out Larisa's sister's computer just crashed and burned anyway so they wouldn't be able to watch the cd. Started out as a good idea, oh well.  In a year or two I'll get a proper system setup.  Thanks again.

[yahoo]

... in response to All for naught, posted by Marty on Feb 23, 2003

Your downloading a PAL encryption to a NTSC VCR, doubt if it play on a PAL VCR.

[yahoo]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

Return you video card and connect the cable the back of this VCR and record it in the PAL format and send it to the familiy.   When the family sends you a Video from Russia, you just plop it in your VCR and watch!

This thing is priced right, might even find it at Abes of Maine for $310 or so.

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=953613&adcampaign=email,zwb11877

Remember, when you record it on CD your going to have a lower resolution picture.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

I'm not an expert...

But you probably will not be able to use the Windows XP CD from your laptop to upgrade your home system. They make the CDs specific to hardware now, to eliminate that very thing. If you look at the CD that came with your laptop, you will see that it is an "OEM" version -- which means it is specific for your laptop, and will not work on your desktop.

If your card works on Windows ME, it will probably work on Windows 98. And, of course, you can always upgrade Windows 98 to ME...

[Jski]

... in response to Re: Question for you computer experts, posted by MarkInTx on Feb 22, 2003

You're correct, and even if he did, the XP product activation would stop him from using it.  Unless he used the hack, but then Service Pack 1 would screw that up and require activation after the hack.  Then again, he could wait 120 days between installations and it would work, but not with the OEM CD, it would have to be a Full or Upgrade CD.

Anyway, no need to as the Vid card will work fine with his Win 98.

[Jski]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

Here's the drivers for Win98 from ATI page.

http://mirror.ati.com/support/products/pc/radeon8500/aiwradeon8500dvdrivers.html

[Jski]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

Is there a Firewire port driver for Win98? There is a firewire port on the DV card right? (as I recall) Might be the only reason why they put ME/XP/2000 on the requirements.  Like USB is Win98SE and newer only.  Perhaps there is no driver for Firewire and Win98SE?

[Bill P]

... in response to Re: Question for you computer experts, posted by Jski on Feb 21, 2003

I have a firewire card for my PC and I run Win98SE. I have been able to capture Direct Video digitally from my digital camcorder.  The only problem is that the digital data takes up so much room on my hard drive it makes it not very practicle to capture everything as digital.  Of course, if you do this and then create low resolution video movies, they will fit on a CD.  The software allows you to create DVD-CDs but I guess all of the DVD players I have just are too old because they don't recognize the format.

Bill P

[Jski]

... in response to RE:Firewire, posted by Bill P on Feb 22, 2003

OK, so that's not the problem.  Can't figure out why the requirement would have ME and not 98SE.  

Bill are you burning VCD's (MPEG-1) or SVCD's (MPEG-2)?

Of the cheaper players, the APEX 3201 or 1500 will play SVCD's also Pioneer DV-250 or DV-343, Mustek DVD-V520.

[Bill P]

... in response to Re: RE:Firewire, posted by Jski on Feb 22, 2003

It was SVCDs I tried burning.  I guess I'm not really that interested in buying a new player at present, especially if it is not that likely that I would be able to send the CDs with this format to my family and they would be able to watch these movies on their computers or DVD players.  

-Bill

[micha1]

... in response to Re: RE:Firewire, posted by Jski on Feb 22, 2003

I shall be getting cassettes of horse races
from France,
they will edited and are to be place of a site
advertising a stallion.
So from what you said and what I can  read from others,
much and the  right equipement is needed to do this,
but that it shouldn't be much problem for a pro.
Am I right.......

[Jski]

... in response to Re: Re: RE:Firewire, posted by micha1 on Feb 22, 2003

The last part of this was for burning VCD's and SVCD's.  For MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 videos for online, this won't apply.  As long as they have a capture card and can convert to MPEG , AVI, etc you won't have a problem.

[cherokee]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

The disc is made for Compac only pc's. Same situation as Dell and Gateway systems. You should be able to run it on win98 if it works on winme, they are the same version if you've done all your upgrading of the 98 system. Go to microsoft's website and upgrade your windows 98. It's worth try and won't cost you anything. If I'm wrong, someone will let me know, that for sure;)
Good luck!

[TomTx]

... in response to Question for you computer experts, posted by Marty on Feb 21, 2003

What is the format of the download? Your new computer should not have a problem, and the video capture card that you purchased for you PC is good industry standard card. So converting the movie to a useable format is what it's intended purpose. XP home version will run most all video formats. So to answer your question, it all depends on the format in which you save the movie as. If it will play in RealPlayer on your desktop it will play on your laptop also.
Tom