Video capture hardware allows an easy way for you to record a digital signal onto your computer. The signal can be almost anything, from video and TV to computer games, meaning that you are able to capture a great deal of information on your computer. Such cards can be used to help you stream relevant information or can even simply be used to let you transfer data from many different formats onto your computer where you can store it or create DVDs to make your own array of home movies or video tapes far more accessible.
Capture cards can also be used to simply turn your television into a digital recorder meaning that you can stream your television on your own computer, affectively allowing you a quick and easy way to have your TV being shown in many different rooms, whilst also allowing you the ability to pause, rewind and record live TV.

They can be used for many purposes, but it is important to understand exactly what you want video capture hardware for before you buy. Whilst many will be able to be used for numerous different purposes, if you have one specific need in mind, then there will undoubtedly be options that are designed precisely for what you have in mind.

There are also internal and external capture cards available and your own knowledge of computers and technology may well inform the decision of which will be best for you, with internal cards often being cheaper to buy, but more complicated to use.

Even the software will vary dramatically and the amount you can achieve with different bundles will vary greatly depending on what you buy. So don’t just assume that all video capture products will be the same – instead make sure you know exactly what you need and buy your products accordingly.