How ADVC100 and DAC100 behave for bad video signals?

[xxiangg]

Currently, I am testing Pinnacle MovieBox DV. Frankly, it performed much
better than I expected. But on the other hand, it also shows some weakness
like many of others have said. The major problem is its ability to recover
from bad video signals. Simetime when the video signal is bad, the device
will lock itself. Even if good signals come later, it sometimes stays as
locked and cannot recover by itself, until its "reset" button is pushed.
I have not made up my mind if I will keep the device. I would like to ask
someone with experience with Canopus ADVC100 or DAC-100 how these two
devices behave when it encounters bad video signals during capture. For
example in the middle of capture from a VCR, if you pushed FF, then Play
again, what will happen to the captured files? Will ADVC100 or DVC100
automatically continue to capture, or they has to be reset/restart before
they can continue to capture?

Many thanks.
-- Kevin

[Bondiablo]

I have the ADVC-100 and when FF or REW through tapes it usually keeps right on capturing. Only very rarely will it pause, meaning it just displays a still frame during part of the FF or REW, but as soon as you go back to PLAY mode it continues capturing as normal. Never have I seen it hang or drop a frame during PLAY. The DAC seems to be less tolerant and doesn't always recover after it encounters a bad spot.

[don4777]

I had the same problem with a ADVC-100 on a REALLY bad old VHS video tape. The ADVC-100 would lock up. I used a TBC (datavideo TBC-1000) to get past this problem. For most tapes the ADVC-100 would probably cope with a degraded signal just fine. This particular tape had some spots that were just plain noise.

[reubenray]

I have the DAC100 and have not had any problems yet. I will try the VCR FF part this weekend and let you know how it works.

[don4777]

I should have also mentioned that although my ADVC-100 did have problems with the one tape and locked up - it will handle VCR FF and REW streams just fine. No lock up problem under those conditions.

I have no complaints with the ADVC-100. It works great! I love it.

[vhelp]

hi xxiangg,

.
.
FWIW...

and I would have to say, that your VHS source would have to be in poor
condition OR, in that plance on the VHS tape, it's probably bad ie, stretch
or folded etc.

I've tested my ADVC-100 on a few older VHS tapes, and I've yet to see
any problems. Will keep my fingers crossed though.

-vhelp

[xxiangg]

Thank you all for the response.

I just want to make sure that there are devices which can perform better
when they encounter bad video signals.

[spectroelectro]

I think the crucial point here is that you will avoid a LOT of problems if you insert a Time Base Corrector between your VHS source and your capture card, whtaever it is. I use a Canopus ADVC-100 and I've captured a lot of old VHS tapes. In most cases, no problems, as others have mentioned.
However, I have captured some VHS tapes so old (we're talking recorded in 1978 here!) that the video actually died for a second and then came back due to loss of the sync signal on the VHS tape. In that case, I found I had to use the TBC.
With a TBC, capture through the Canopus is bulletproof. Nothing can make the Canopus lock up as long as the TBC is there. Even if the video dies completely to blank video and the picture goes bonkers and then comes back, the Canopus keeps on capturing.
Whatever capture device you use, I strongly recommend an outboard TBC if you plan to capture from VHS. The AVT 7810 costs only about $170 and works like a champ, though the TBC-1000 is also excellent at a somewhat higher price point.
With a TBC placed in between the VHS video out and the capture card video input, either the Pinnacle or the Canopus would probably perform equally well as far as not locking up or dropping frames.

[FL350innh]

xxiangg,
I've used both the Canopus and the DAC. As afore mentioned source is everything. TBC units will aid tremendously in keeping the units from locking up. The Canopus ADVC 100's strong and weak point is the "Audio Lock" feature. If you have a TBC running both are as spectroelectro has said bullit proof. My personal experience is the Canopus is prone to be less tollerent to poor source most likely attributed to a side effect of the "Audio Lock" feature.

I can make the Canopus lock with FF and Reverse. On the flip side the DAC 100 will continue to import through FF, Reverse and minor source imperfections. The major differences in the units are...


The DAC 100
1) The DAC 100 is $100.00 LESS $188.00 delivered.
2) The DAC has no Macrovision support (No MV worries)
2a) No audio lock, no mis synch stumble from bad source. (But if it's pretty bad you'll lock this as well as the Canopus.)
3) 30 day return policy, don't like it return it, Warranty 1 yr parts and labor, 3yrs parts
4) Got a problem, pick up the phone get someone on the phone when you call.
5) Does not matter what kind of FW card you use works with all.

The Canopus ADVC 100
1) Has Macrovision support. Can be disable by using the "hack" by holding down the button on the unit.
2) Audio lock, This is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on the source.
3) Good warranty, Experience from many including me, a bit harder to get support easily. Phone tag, etc...
4) Issues with TI based FW cards.

A lot of people including myself solve a lot of poor source issuse by using a DV minican with passthrough by capping onto the camera first and then importing directly. This method has NEVER failed for me. I use my DV converter to keep use off of my camera, but when the souce is a problem child then I'll record to it and import. Here is a thread I started a while back about comparine the two. A lot of people had some really good info on the subject.. Here's the link!

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157074&highlight=

[Marco33]

The only problem I have with the DAC is... you guessed it, poor VHS tapes.

The DAC will drop consecutive frames in a row when the tape is poor NOT just drop a frame here and there. Somtimes dropping 40 or more which equals out to 2 seconds of missing footage.

If you are transfering old home movies or just old VHS tapes, I would invest in a TBC.

[vhelp]

Hi guys,

Although it hasn't ben properly ben mentined, you CAN turn off the Audio
Lock feature on the ADVC-100, and then you should be able to FF/RW
through your tapes (those old troble'some ones) I haven't tested this sort
of feature out because I don't have such tapes that cause me any issues,
even those that I consider to be old in my opnion.

ADVC-100...
On the bottom (flip unit over) of this unit, is a switch block. Look for dip
switch #3 and set to ON-Unlocked mode. This should allow your poor VHS
tapes to pass through, or give you FF/RW features (though, untested)

oh, and be nice to your ADVC
-vhelp