PYRO 1394 DV 3-Port PCI OHCI 400 M/S

To anyone who thinks that this card allows you to capture analog video from your VCR, DVD or TV, think again! This is simply a Firewire interface for your PC; it does not have analog inputs for audio/video and does not perform analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion.

I bought this card thinking I could simply plug it in my pci slot and update driver and install software plug it into my DV Sony Camcorder and WOW can download all my home movies. Well to my suprise as soon as I installed it (which of course is a breeeeeze - come on its just a PCI card) I lost sound. I currently run Creative Audigy Platinum 2 with external output as well. I was kinda shocked after thinking about it - why in the hell do I need this card? It is just a card that gives you firewire capability? Digital 100%? Well it's a firewire port so anything Firewire is going to be this way (that's why Apple developed it in the first place). The box says external ports have less quality but of course they are talking about USB ports which are a JOKE when referring to video editing (those are just for idiots ). I have since unintalled the card and my sound started working again. Which I must say I have a MONSTER system to large to mention now, I built it myself - just to give you an idea of where I am coming from. So after saying all of this I must say the card so good for the price - but if you want to kill two birds with one stone try to get an external output center that accepts 1394 ports and buy a dv/1394 cable (like the one that comes with this package) and you would be doing yourself a favor. What about the software you need you say? HA - As you've probably read here, you will need to get better software anyways - unless your just starting out. The main reason I would say this is a very good card for what is does is because of the price/quality ratio you get for it. I'm not rating a 4 because of my problems with it - just think a PCI slot is a value not to used litely! And if you are buying this card then you are more likely to be other things internal for your computer. Have fun if you buy you probably won't be that bad off, just think of other options (and of course they always questionable compatibilty questions which you only know once you buy it).

This is a very nice card. I use it to download video files from my digital camcorder to my computer.My impressions are the following:1) Installation: Piece of cake. I just had to open the box and slide the card into one of the PCI slots. It fit like a glove. No problems here.2) Hardware configuration: Windows recognized the card immediately, and in a few seconds I had the drivers of the card installed and going. No errors, no crashes. I use Windows 98 as my operating system.3) Drivers for the camcorder: I own a JVC GR-DVL-915U digital camcorder. The installer configured it nicely, it found the right driver for it and I was up and going in seconds. All the drivers are contained in the installation CD.4) Software: 2 main packages are included. Ulead Video Studio which is for the beginner and Media Studio Pro v6.0 for the advanced user. I started with Video Studio. Simple software, it guides you step by step in capturing the video from your camcorder, adding titles and some basic effects, adding music tracks from the cd player and also editing the voice of the video. You cant go wrong with that. It takes you by the hand from the beginning until the end, when you finally create your movie. I also tried the Studio Pro but this one needs some time to get used to due to the steeper learning curve. Overall, Video Studio is a simple software for the beginner. When you learn its capabilities you will have to move to something more sophisticated5) Internet. After I created my first movie, I saved it as an mpg file and downloaded it to my web site. Everything worked as expected. And all that within a couple of hours from installing the card!6) Manuals: Very well documented manuals for both software packages and installation steps of the card. There are also some video manuals that show you how to get started with the Media Studio Pro. Both manuals are in pdf form and are complete and comprehensive.I was very satisfied with that.7) Performance. I have a Pentium III at 600MHz and 128 MB of ram and the Nvidia Geforce Pro graphics card with 32MB of memory. The editing was pretty fast. But at the end, when you combine all the effects in order to render the final movie it takes a few minutes. So, I dont think that you should go for less than Pentium III and at least 128MB of ram.Overall a nice product, it will keep you busy for weeks, especially the Media Studio Pro. I had no problem with installation of the card or drivers or anything else. I was up and editing in a matter of minutes. I suspect though that more advanced users will not be satisfied with the product. For me it was exactly what I looked for: a card and software that can download video from my camcorder to the computer, edit it and then publish it on the web.I have made 2 movies so far.P.S. You will also need the Firewire cable that connects your camcorder to the card. Mine was included but I think it was a special deal or something. Make sure that you get the cable too.

Two external FireWire ports, one internal. Come with ULead VideoStudio. Simple and provides for the creation of web based videos or full digital editing. Great for the home user.

For the price, i was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this little package. I have a relatively old computer - p3 500 w/ 192mb ram, and a 16mb voodoo3 video card - all on windows 98.The card installation was a breeze, and the installed software was great. I had my first movie made in two days.I've used this for a month now w/ no complaints. Highly recommend it.