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The process of feeding the video from your camera to your computer is called capturing. In order to be able to capture video, you must have a " capture card" installed on your computer (there are USB options, but mainly for lower quality CD video). Many newer model PC's and all new Mac's come with a "Firewire " port that enables the user to capture video and audio directly from digital cameras. This is your best option for video as there is no "generational loss" when moving video from camera to computer. The video starts in digital format and is transferred in digital format.

If you have a VHS, VHS-C, or 8mm/Hi8 camera, you will need a card that allows for analogue capture using composite or "S" video input/output. The video cards with this feature take the analogue signal from your video camera and convert it to digital format. This "digitizing" of video has some drawbacks. You will lose some degree of quality when capturing video and also later on when you take the video from the computer and convert back to analogue format for a final, published product.

You can capture video in a variety formats. The preferred form is to have software divide your footage into short "clips " that you can easily drop into your project. With this option, the software automatically detects new scenes based on changes in light, subject, or use of record button. Another option is to have one very long clip that you subdivide into small scenes manually.

Capturing video is not too complicated, but finding storage space on your hard drive becomes a concern. Full motion, high resolution video eats up a ton of space. It is suggested that you have a minimum 20 GB hard drive running at 7200rpm. Click here for more information on cables and getting your equipment connected.

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