Regarding video capture..

The way that can hardly fail, and doesn't put much stress
on your computer is to use DV (either deck or camera),
and transfer the DV file to your computer by IEEE1394.
Once you have the AVI file (internally it is DV codec) on
your computer, you can use TMPGENC (freeware) to convert it
to mpeg1 or mpeg2.
This also gives you the cleanest mpeg2s, if you use high
enough bitrates.


Regarding bringing a "computer" to the USA..

Kathleen, ask the person if they want a notebook or a desktop.
When you hear "computer" you might immediately think desktop,
but when a Japanese person hears "computer" they might think a
notebook.  If they want a notebook, better to get it in Japan.

--
Hitoshi Doi (LaLaLu FC #49, Cutie Pai FC #2)              Toshi Nibunnoichi
                           " this space for rent "
http://www.win.ne.jp/~doi/                                    doi@win.ne.jp