Video Capture Devices

I will preface this post by saying I am a beginner and all help is
appreciated.

I am looking to start doing some amatuer video editing. I need help in
deciding on a capture device, Internal? External? USB? Firewire?

I would like to have a range of options from decent video quality for
decent price to very good capture quality for a few more $$$. I have
no idea where to start and what price range to expect.

Also, a small side question...is there a product that will play several
of the different formats of tapes outthere or do most people have a
different camera for every format that they may need to play that type
format.


Thank you!

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