Digital video capture has become easier and easier, yet we still can’t call it piece of cake. It does look simple when you seem someone else performing the task, shooting the scenes with the video camera and then downloading the stored data into the computer. A few inspired clicks don’t make some cinematic masterpiece. This is a tricky occupation that requires skill. Digital video capture is possible by the compression and decompression of data through digitized encoding: there is no other way to handle the process because of the large necessary storage space required.

From the point of view of the compression-decompression process, it seems that things were much simpler with analog videos where the storage and the transmission of large amounts of information was possible with fewer steps. Yet, this was usually possible at the detriment of image quality. Capture digital video is the superior technological process, and it represents a step forward in terms of quality video shooting.

The solution for the compression-decompression process came from the invention of the CODEC algorithms that work for the adjustment of the video to a computer by digitizing and compressing pictures. PCs often come with pre-installed CODECs, particularly the newer models. CODECs can also be downloaded online. JPEG and M-JPEG algorithms are among the most frequently used. Digital video capture therefore has a complexity that the regular camcorder user does not even suspect.

The firewire or IEEE is the best type of card used for digital video capture. The quality of the material may be impaired during transfer if you don’t have such a card. Professionals further rely on the use of more advanced digital video cards but they are out of the average consumer’s reach by the very high prices. Yet, alternatives do exist.

When storage devices allow for a transfer rate of up to 400 Mbps, then, digital video capture a a complete rewarding process. These are the easiest and most efficient to use. The ports in the new computer models are built in to easily use the card, so that you don’t have to improvise. You should nevertheless check the Open Host Controller Interface compliance in order to make sure that the digital video card is compatible with you computer or notebook.