Recommendation needed

[geck072]

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a capture card with MPEG-2 hardware encoders that can :

- record from my DV camcoder (digital)
- record from my VCR (analog)
- defeat macrovision

The brands that are available in my country are:

Pinnacle
Dazzle
Snazzi


Can anyone tell me which product meet the requirements? Thank you so much!

[Tommyknocker]

What camcorder do you have, and do you have access to a TBC?

[geck072]

I have a Sony TRV17E DV camcorder which will detect macrovision so I was unable to transfer many of my tapes to DVD for backup using it. Pardon my ignorant but what is TBC?

[Tommyknocker]

I have a Sony TRV17E DV camcorder which will detect macrovision so I was unable to transfer many of my tapes to DVD for backup using it. Pardon my ignorant but what is TBC?

It is an electronic unit or a circuit in an electronic that cleans up video signals. It also defeats macrovision. Some camcorders and VCRs have them.

Also, the TRV17 (the U.S. version) has the signal convert function. Does the European model have this as well?

[jimmalenko]

The Pinnacle DC10+ can take analog or digital sources but to be honest, it is very hit or miss as to whether you can get it working 100%. I got Pinnacle 7 with it which I don't rate too highly either.

I ended up getting a ADVC-100, which can accept any analog or digital source and output in DV AVI through your firewire port.

[geck072]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Is the Canopus ADVC-100 able to capture macrovision protected tape? ?

[jimmalenko]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Is the Canopus ADVC-100 able to capture macrovision protected tape? ?

I am led to belive it can - I have never tried it personally myself. I have read here that you hold down the input selection button for 20 seconds, lights flash and it disables macrovision.