Video Capture Program

[Drago]

Hey all... I'm fairly computer illiterate, so whenever I can find a free program with no stipulations attached that's easy to use (ie Audacity), I'm pretty happy.

Anyhow, my thing now is that I want to be able to transfer my old VHS tapes onto my computer. Apparently my computer has some crazy ass thing coming out the back with AV cables, so I assume I can plug them in there and be able to transfer them onto the PC.

So I was able to save myself from forking out the dough for that, but now I need an actual program to capture the video. So... recommendations? Anyone do this regularly? I've heard Pinnacle is good, but I would much rather get something free if possible. Is anyone familiar with Debut Video Capture? I did a Google search and it looks like just what I want, but I'd rather find out if it's 100% safe before installing it...

Thanks guys.

[Mikachu Yukitatsu]

In my opinion, Pinnacle...

1) is hard to use, you just jab the wrong commands
2) makes captured video files too big
3) reduces the picture quality, best seen, for example, in still images from TPM (THIS has been made with Pinnacle)

I do have another capture equipment. I don't remember its name and it doesn't work with Windows Vista as far as I know. Plus, I don't know where you could find it because I bought it from a convenience store here in Ylivieska, Finland.