Best USB to RCA & S-Video Capture Card for Standard Definition

Social media has changed how we communicate with our families, our friends, and the world at large. Instead of taking time out from a dinner party to watch home videos, we share our favorite clips on Facebook. In the era of smartphones, this is quick, easy, and convenient. But what if you have older videos from before the digital era? In that case, you might still have a stack of old VHS tapes laying around gathering dust. How do you get those tapes into digital format?

One way would be to use a VHS to DVD converter, but that only gets you halfway. You’re still working with a physical medium, which makes posting and sharing your videos a pain. Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier to burn a video to DVD than it is to extract raw video from a DVD. So if you want the most versatile solution possible, you’ll want a video capture card. That way, you can take your videos directly from your VCR and record them to your computer.

We’re about to review three different capture cards for VHS and other older players. We’ll start with theAVerMedia EZMaker 7。这EZMaker 7 is a simple external capture card for Windows, and includes a copy of CyberPower DVD editing software. Next, we’ll review theUCEC USB Video Capture Device。This is an external QuickTime capture card for Mac, although it will also work with Windows using UCEC’s proprietary software. Finally, we’ll be looking at thestartech.com USB视频捕获适配器电缆。This is a windows-only capture card that doesn’t include any software, but it supports 720×576 PAL video. Which one is the best? Let’s dig deeper, and see what we learn!

什么是视频捕获卡？

在我们进一步之前，让我们谈谈视频捕获卡是什么以及它的作用。简而言之，捕获卡是将视频信号转换为计算机可以使用的东西的任何设备。现在，一开始可能会令人困惑。计算机不是一亚洲官方合作伙伴直在处理视频信号吗？

这reason is that graphics cards are very good at taking a recorded file and rendering a video. They’re also good at rendering video from games and other interactive sources. But they’re not as efficient at taking a full video stream and encoding it in real time. This is a problem for live streamers, or if you’re trying to back up VHS tapes. It can lead to skipping, frame dropping, desynchronization between audio and video, and other serious problems. A capture card takes the load off of your computer, delivering a signal that’s ready to write in real time. Most capture cards are expensive, and are designed for gamers who want to stream in high quality. For VHS and other SD video, you don’t need anything quite as exotic, which is why we made this list.

除了支持不同的视频素质外，捕获卡还可以以不同的方式安装。例如，其中一些是需要安装的内部卡。其他的是USB加密狗，例如我们今天要看的单元。内部卡的优点是它占用更少的空间，而您不会丢失它。安装后，您只需插入PC的背面即可。另一方面，许多人对在PC中添加零件不自信。不仅如此，一些计算机（例如笔记本电脑）难以修改或亚洲官方合作伙伴不可能修改。使用外部加密狗，您可以插入使用USB端口的任何计算机。这提供了更大的耐用性，而牺牲了一个更笨拙的界面。

要寻找的功能

这re are two main features you need to consider when you’re buying a USB to RCA or S-Video capture card. The first is compatibility, and the second is any software that may be included. Let’s delve into each of those topics.

Compatibility is a concern on both ends of the connection. On the computer side, you should have a USB port, so there should be no issues there. However, some capture cards are compatible with only Windows, some with only Mac, and others are compatible with both. This is something you need to know before you buy. Similarly, on the input side, you need an input that’s compatible with your device. For newer devices like game consoles, this means HDMI or optical. For older SD devices, it means RCA or S-Video.

When it comes to software, it all depends on what you need. Most capture cards come with software, but it’s usually fairly barebones. You’ll be able to capture and save video, you’ll need to use your own software. If you see a capture card with good software, that’s a huge plus. It can potentially save you money down the road on paying for your own editing suite. On the other hand, if a capture card doesn’t come with any software whatsoever, that’s also worth considering. You’ll need to buy recording software just to start using the card. If you already have software, this is a non-issue. You’ll probably prefer using the app you’re already comfortable with.

AVerMedia EZMaker 7

Avermedia是视频捕获市场中著名的制造商。实际上，我们已经审查了他们的GC573 4K internal capture card，，，，and we were impressed. Impressed enough that when we saw theEZMaker 7，，，，we were eager to give it a once-over.

这EZMaker 7 is a small USB fob, measuring 3.2 inches long, 1.1 inches wide, and 0.5 inches thick. And at only 1.7 ounces, it’s so light you can carry it anywhere. Keep in mind that these dimensions are for the fob only. The cords are about six inches long, and dangle off of one end. On the other end, you’ll find a USB plug. The plug is covered by a removable cap, which protects it from damage when it’s not in use. The shell of the unit is constructed from glossy black plastic, so it collects fingerprints but it’s easy to clean.

这四根电缆将支持大多数SD视频设备。前三个是您的标准红色，白色和黄色RCA电缆。这些对于VCR，DVD和其他旧设备很有用。第四是S-Video电缆。这是一种不常见的格式，但可以是某些设备上的唯一选择。如果没有其他的话，使用S-Video的能力会增加一些多功能性。

这EZMaker 7 will work with any version of Windows from XP forward, including Windows 10 Home and Professional. The minimum processor requirement is only 2.4GHz, so even an older PC will work. HD authoring requires a 3.0GHz processor, but that shouldn’t be needed for normal SD content. However, it does not work with Apple machines, so Mac users will need to look elsewhere.

除了捕获卡本身，您还可以获得具有Cyber​​Link PowerDirector 10和PowerProducer 5的CD。这些应用程序允许您执行基本的视频捕获和一些编辑功能。您也可以使用它们将捕获的视频烧成DVD。不过要小心。注册键是在包装纸上的贴纸上，因此请贴上包装纸！

UCEC USB Video Capture Device

UCEC is known primarily for their cables and other related technology, such as theirretractable HDMI cable。他们的USB Video Capture Device属于这一类别。这是一根3英尺的电缆，中间有一个适配器FOB。该FOB的长度仅几英寸，并且足够小，可以适合您的手掌。也就是说，电缆和FOB在一起有点笨重。但是，如果您将整个东西滑入笔记本电脑袋或信使袋中，您几乎不会注意到它。像Avermedia电缆一样，UCEC USB视频捕获设备同时接受RCA和S-Video输入。您还将获得4.9英尺长的RCA扩展电缆，以建立尴尬的连接。

这UCEC capture card is compatible with Apple QuickTime right out of the box. This means you don’t have to install any software on your MacBook or Mac desktop. Everything you need is already included with your operating system. On Windows, you can use the UCEC software included in the box. It’s not pretty, and there aren’t any bells and whistles, but it will capture your video. The Windows capture software is included on a disc in the package.

Regardless of your operating system, you’ll need to be able to edit your files. Thankfully, it converts video to the H.264 format, which is universally supported. From there, you can upload it to social media, or edit it in your favorite editing suite. UCEC backs the USB Video Capture Device with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty, so you’re protected from any premature failures.

startech.com USB视频捕获适配器电缆

StarTech.com are computer connectivity experts, producing everything from cables toPCIe USB expansion cards。他们的USB Video Capture Adapter Cablecontinues in the same high-quality vein. It has a similar inline design to the UCEC capture device, but it’s not quite as bulky. It also doesn’t come with any extension cables, so you’re on your own in that regard.

另一件事你必须自己提供is video capture software. There’s none included with the unit. However, the output is compatible with TWAIN software. By extension, it’s compatible with most other video capture software as well. The StarTech.com card will work with any version of Windows from 7 forward. On the downside, it won’t work with Mac.

So far, the StarTech.com unit might seem like a clear loser. But there’s one major advantage it has over our other options. It can capture video from 720×576 PAL/SECAM outputs. This means it can be used to backup or digitize foreign DVDs and VHS tapes that aren’t available in the US. In addition to this, it will still work with ordinary American NTSC video.

最终判决

As is often the case, which SD video capture card is the best will depend on your exact needs. Let’s go over what we’ve learned. We started with theAVerMedia EZMaker 7。这是Windows用户的绝佳捕获卡。包含的网络能力软件提供的不仅仅是基本录制。您可以编辑，修剪剪辑，刻录DVD等。它不是很专业的级别，但要比您的普通捕获卡软件要好得多。将所有这些都放在一个小巧的口袋友好的包装中，您正在寻找一个不错的选择。

这UCEC USB Video Capture Device是更好的选择,如果你是Mac用户。作为一个马特er of fact, it’s the only one of our three options that’s compatible with MacOS. On the other hand, when we say it’s compatible, we mean it’s plug-and-play. It will work directly with Apple QuickTime, so you don’t have to install any third-party software. Windows use is a bit clunkier, but the included software still gets the job done. The unit itself is a bit larger than the AVerMedia capture card, thanks to the longer cables. That said, it has a proportionately longer reach, and extension cables are included in the box.

这startech.com USB视频捕获适配器电缆如果您要寻找好的软件，就不比其他人理想。实际上，该软件不存在，该卡仅适用于Windows。它的内联设计很方便使用，但对于您的口袋也很大。另一方面，startech.com捕获卡比其他捕获卡具有一个巨大的优势。它将在720x576Pal中捕获视频。如果您想捕获欧洲或日本DVD的视频，这是一个很大的优势。这也对某些型号的摄像机也很有帮助。如果您想从RCA或S-Video连接获得720×576 PAL视频，这是一个绝佳的选择。