Which is faster? (PCI bus or USB 2.0)

[real_ki]

I've been thinking about getting a Video Capture card to convert some of the home videos(standard definition) into AVI files and my PC does not have PCI-express slot. So, I have option of getting a video capture card with PCI bus or USB 2.0.

Which would perform better(have better data transfer rate)? PCI or USB2?
Or would both support more than enough data transfer rate for capturing videos that it doesn't matter?

In my head, USB2 is external device and PCI device are internal which is generally true.. and that Internal data transfer rate is faster than External which I am not sure it's true or not...

And if you know of any good and cheap (like maybe $20-$30) video capture card (I don't need TV tuner, but doesn't hurt to have one), recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[real_ki]

Just to clarify and add bit more detail...

My main question to be answered is PCI vs. USB2.0 and recommendation for cheap good capture card is secondary.

Here's my PC spec if it helps:
P4 3.0 GHz(prescott), 1MB Cache.
800MHz FSB
3GB RAM(Corsair PC3200 DDR)
Sappire Radeon 9250(AGP 8x, 128MB)

[jlreich]

PCI is definitely faster. USB is probably plenty fast for capturing. I have never used a USB one but there are plenty out there and with decent reviews so they must work.

USB has the advantage of being portable. Though you still need to install the software on any machine you want to use it on.

If you just want to do basic capturing any cheap card should do just fine.

[real_ki]

OK. Good. So PCI is faster, and from what you wrote "I had never used a USB one", I take it that you've used a PCI one and I see you have the Leadtek TV card which is the brand that I was interested in and this is the capture card that I was looking into from Leadtek: WinFast VC100 XP.

Although USB is portable, I think I will go with PCI (seems more stable than USB).

Thanks!

[jlreich]

Although USB is portable, I think I will go with PCI (seems more stable than USB).
Agreed. I like to go internal whenever possible.

Good luck. :)