Recommendations for portable S-Video to DV conversion

[midimidi]

Hi all,

I'm curious what everyone thinks about the following product. We are looking to get a single S-video/Composite/Component input into a laptop that already has firewire, for webcasting, and for less than $400-$500. Software is not an issue, but quality is. I've semi-decided on the following product by SP:

http://www.spcomms.com/dvconverter/

Anyone think a different but similarly priced product would be better? I've looked at Cannopus, but the cost was a few hundred more for what we are aready getting with the above product.

Again - needs to be a small external box for a laptop, s-video/composte/component intput with firewire out. We don't really need to go the other way around, but its fairly common since firewire is typically two-way.

Thanks in advance.


[edit] - Note that analog capture is generally starting from a high-end Panasonic camera and is already passing through a CORIOscan scan converter/switcher (VGA, S-Video, Composite inputs). That unit's s-video out is coming into the laptop.

Audio is passing through XLR on an Maudio Mobilepre and I'm assuming will probably need to have its output go in via the discussed DV converter to guarantee lock.

[farnlc]

Although what you have suggested would work, it seems like a waste of money since thats all it will do. I would suggest using a miniDV camcorder with analog passthru. I have a JVC GR-DX77U and I have my S-VHS Vcr hooked right through my cam and right into my comp...works like a dream, so you would have a cam to use too instead of just a box

[midimidi]

Again - quality is an issue, and passing through a consumer camera will just make things look worse.

I also need to keep with the idea of having small 1/2-rackmount-like or similar external boxes. This is a professional portable unit on a small cart, and will have visiblity in the workplace.

[lordsmurf]

If you don't need component (which is what you're paying for in that link), then go with an external Canopus box.

[midimidi]

IMHO - less than $100 is worth getting component.

Can you give me a reason why a Canopus product would be more value than the above model? Even the Canopus ADVC-55, which only has firewire out starts at $230.

[redwudz]

A quick check of Froogle shows a Canopus ADVC-100 at about $250US. What, other than YCbCr (YUV) Component does it have over the ADVC-100?

I hope you have done a through search of the internet for reviews, etc., on this box. If that's what you want, then go for it.

[thecoalman]

Can you give me a reason why a Canopus product would be more value than the above model?

Very simple answer, the Canopus is a proven product. It works and works well. As Redwudz suggested do some research first.

[midimidi]

K - thanks.

[vhelp]

In my honest opinion ...

You are waisting your time with Componant inputs. Really.

First of all, you want your source to be 4:2:2 otherwise, componant is a waist.
If your source is 4:2:0 , which is pretty much everything !!

.. (ie, tv; vcr; vhs; laserdisc; dvd; satellite; cable; dv; etc)

then don't waist your monies. You're really not gonna get the color space, if
highest quality is your true goal. In one of my DVD players (the with the
Suround sound built-in, there's componant connectors. R/G/B but my source
media, (DVD) is not 4:2:2 rather it's 4:2:0 at best.

Even if you capture w/ an Analog Capture card that can capture w/ a codec at
a 4:2:2 color space, at best, it's just a container to hold the 4:2:0 capture
(from the source you just captured, which I just laid out above, is all related
to 4:2:0 color space) Am I making any sense to you all ??

I would go with the ADVC-100 device. It really does work. And, I use it too.
(am using it right now - sort of. Just finished capturing a tv show with it)

I don't see any other source that is truely 4:2:2 (worth a componant price)
that everyone has to capture at. Everything is 4:2:0 at best. So, in in the
end, pretty much any capture card/device that can capture 4:2:0 (they all can)
or even 4:1:1 (DV) will do. Provided that you have the knowledge and skills
and technique is what really matters.

-vhelp

[lordsmurf]

Uhhhh, actually DVD is 4:2:0, most VHS/cable/broadcast is 4:2:2, and NTSC DV is 4:1:1 (yuck!), and then some goofy things like Betacam SP 3:1:1

[BSR]

quality is an issue, and passing through a consumer camera will just make things look worse.

How much different do you think the circuitry in the digital camera with passthrough is to this?

You should be justifying the extra cost of YCbCr input because of compatiblity issues. Because no matter what input you give this box, your source will be converted to DV 4:1:1 colorspace.(exactly what digital camcorders with passthrough do).

EDIT - Is this company "SP" the manufacturer or just the distributor of this product?

[midimidi]

EDIT - Is this company "SP" the manufacturer or just the distributor of this product?

Considering the name SP Distribution, its possible its rebranded.

Really wish I had a local shop where I could see a side-by-side comparison.

Thanks for the feedback.

Note that analog capture is generally coming from a high-end Panasonic camera and is already passing through a CORIOscan scan converter/switcher (VGA, S-Video, Composite inputs). That unit's s-video out is coming into the laptop. Audio is passing through XLR on an Maudio Mobilepre and will probably need to have its output go in via the discussed DV converter to guarantee lock.

[midimidi]

What's the difference between the ADVC-100 and the ADVC-110? The 100 appears to have a secondary S-Video / mini-audio input on the back, and yet, its $50 cheaper than the 110?

Pricegrabber link

I'm also a bit concerned about the "propietary Canopus DV codec." We have a DV Storm Pro 2 that has had numerous issues related to playing Premiere-exported media on a computer with the DV Storm compared to a computer without the DV Storm, likely in reference to the Canopus codec. Anyone else run into this?

[midimidi]

Yet another question...if I'm going to go with something consumer, is there anything by Pinnacle worth looking at for comparison?

[vhelp]

Uhhhh, actually DVD is 4:2:0, most VHS/cable/broadcast is 4:2:2, and NTSC DV is 4:1:1 (yuck!), and then some goofy things like Betacam SP 3:1:1

hmm.. I thought I just said that

R/G/B but my source media, (DVD) is not 4:2:2 rather it's 4:2:0 at best.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

...most VHS/cable/broadcast is 4:2:2, and NTSC DV is 4:1:1 (yuck!), ...

This I don't believe. Maybe at best, the source from their device is 4:2:2 but once
they either process it, (or whatever) source is at it's final sages of 4:2:0 and
wating to be aired to out tv sets
.
hmm.. look at HD (those channels that either supports it constantly, or for when
they sometimes air *special* programs.. ie, "Everwood" is aired in HD quality
(according to their brief *floating* HD watermart. But I tell you, this
show's quality looks exactly as it did *before* they used to air it in HD
format or quality or whatever they seem to be emplying to us (usually, something
to do with quality)
.
Perhaps, when they say now airing this special movie/show in HD, they are
simply saying or emplying that the show is formatted for *those* devices that
*can* accept HD type signal and pass it as such quality. But I hesitate to wonder
more on this

Still, as far as I'm consirned, everything these days that is aired, is 4:2:0 color
space. However.., and never-the-less and no matter what color space it is ( ie, 4:2:2
or 4:2:0) when it hits your tv (or vcr or cam or whatever) it's allways going to be
4:2:0 when it hits your EYE !!

-vhelp

[lordsmurf]

The signals are 4:2:2
Even some of my equipment says 4:2:2.

4:2:0 is just DVD (MP@ML MPEG), in mainstream

The difference cannot be seen visually.
Not like you can with 4:1:1 (very obviously lacking)

[thecoalman]

What's the difference between the ADVC-100 and the ADVC-110? The 100 appears to have a secondary S-Video / mini-audio input on the back, and yet, its $50 cheaper than the 110?

The 110 requires no external power source if connected to a 6 pin firewire port. The jacks/ports on the front are identical to the ones on the back except the front has a 4 pin in/out frirewire port and the back has a 6 pin in/out firewire port. There's an additional jack for the external power supply on the back which is probably what you are seeing. BTW the 110 doesn't come with the power supply. Not positive but I think every model 110 and below are all the same except the options they have.

[vhelp]

I used to believe that too. (4:2:2) but its not. Its 4:2:0

Speciall when you get into "digital" (ie, Directv and Dish.. etc)
They are MPEG-2 at 4:2:0

-vhelp

[midimidi]

What's the difference between the ADVC-100 and the ADVC-110? The 100 appears to have a secondary S-Video / mini-audio input on the back, and yet, its $50 cheaper than the 110?

The 110 requires no external power source if connected to a 6 pin firewire port. The jacks/ports on the front are identical to the ones on the back except the front has a 4 pin in/out frirewire port and the back has a 6 pin in/out firewire port. There's an additional jack for the external power supply on the back which is probably what you are seeing. BTW the 110 doesn't come with the power supply. Not positive but I think every model 110 and below are all the same except the options they have.

No - there's definitely extra inputs on the rear of the 100. So it sounds like although both have DC power, the 110 has the ability to power through firewire, and the 100 doesn't? And the 100 has an extra input. Weird...

Link to ADVC-100 | Link to ADVC-110

[midimidi]

Odd - In the spec list for the 100, I'm still only seeing Firewire and S-Video as video inputs.

[thecoalman]

No - there's definitely extra inputs on the rear of the 100. So it sounds like although both have DC power, the 110 has the ability to power through firewire, and the 100 doesn't? And the 100 has an extra input. Weird...

I can definitely state the 110 doesn't require external power if connected to powered 6 pin firewire port as that is how I use mine.

Guess they are different, never really looked. Says in the specs there's 1 x 3.5mm stereo phono input which would be the one labled "a input". Also says > 1 x S-Video (7-pin miniDIN) for analog video input which varies from the standard > 1 x S-Video (4-pin miniDIN) listed in specs for both but only as output on the 100.... That additional port must be a odd s-video input port and they just didn't list the standard one which makes no sense.....