The goal is to get video from your camcorder or VCR into your computer for editing and writing on to a CD or DVD.

You can buy and install a video capture card (if there is room for it) and software to convert analog video into digital files. Cost could be anywhere from $100 to $200 plus your time for the installation OR ... buy ADS Tech VideoXpress for $60.

VideoXpress is perfect for those who don't have the time or expertise to edit video. It comes with a simple device that connects to a USP 2.0 port, and the device has RCA and S-Video inputs for cables from the camcorder or VCR. The external device comes with a 6-ft. USB 2.0 cable; a CD containing Instant VideoXpress hardware drivers, MovieWizard, muvee AutoProducer, PhotoShow and a 30-day trial version of VideoStudio 9 SE video editing software, as well as a user guide.

VideoStudio 8 is included but it is a 30 day trial version. The full version is available for $45-$95, depending on whether it is downloaded or purchased online. Basic instructions are provided in a small booklet, but a complete manual is found on the installation CD (available only when VideoXpress is running.

Movie Wizard can capture videos in a VideoCD format where one hour of video can be recorded on a single CD. Using AVI, MPEG-1 or WMV 9 compression, two hours can be recorded. Video is captured in clips which can be trimmed, and music can be added. The software includes Video Grabber which enables you to preview videos and grab snapshots from them.

muvee AutoProducer has a simple 6-button interface. You select video files, add captions, add some music, and pick a style from the program's built-in list. In minutes muvee autoProducer edits your video and automatically adds transitions and special effects to give you a complete production much faster than other video editors.

Saving your production can present a quandary, video files are huge. Following is an excerpt from the Help section.

When selecting a format in which to save your muvee, keep in mind the amount of free space that you have available on your hard disk. In general the higher the output video quality that you are trying to save your muvee in, the more free hard disk space that you will need. For example:

• DV Format: 5 minutes of video requires approx. 1GB of free hard disk.
• AVI Uncompressed: 5 minutes of video requires approx. 1.8GB of free hard disk.
• AVI Compressed: 5 minutes of video requires approx. 40MB of free hard disk.
• MPEG-1 Format: 5 minutes of video requires approx. 80 MB of free hard disk.
• MPEG-2 Format: 5 minutes of video requires approx. 230MB of free hard disk.
• Windows Media Format (WMV): 5 minutes of video requires from 100KB to 600MB of free hard disk depending on the scheme selected.

NOTE: Calculations are based on a typical frame size of 320x240 pixels, except for DV video which is based on a frame size of 720x480 pixels.

I have a firewire interface card in my PC, running WindowsXP and have used Microsoft Movie Maker to capture videos from a digital camcorder and then burn them on to CDs and DVDs. VideoXpress will enable me to do this and to convert my collection of VHS tapes to DVDs in a few simple steps.

Recommended Requirements:

• Windows XP (Home or Professional)
• CPU Speed 2.0GHz
• 512MB RAM
• 600MB hard drive space for software installation
• 4BG hard disk for video capture space
• USB 2.0 port
• Graphic Card 1024 x 768
• CDROM/CD-RW or DVD-RW