benefits of ADVC over cheap USB2 capture

[duffbeer911]

Hi,
I've been capturing with a USB2.0 device that captures MPEG-2 using some crappy program that it came with (USB2.0 DVR). I want something better. Better quality, and more options. Like being able to capture in different formats etc.

What about the ADVC-100? or other devices?

Any help would be great thanks

[thecoalman]

What about the ADVC-100? or other devices?

The biggest benefit of the ADVC is two-fold. First it converts to DV-AVI which is better for editing. Second it eleiminates most if not all of the problems usually associated with other capture cards such as audio sync.

[Phantom Of The Opera]

Hi,
I've been capturing with a USB2.0 device that captures MPEG-2 using some crappy program that it came with (USB2.0 DVR). I want something better. Better quality, and more options. Like being able to capture in different formats etc.

What about the ADVC-100? or other devices?

Any help would be great thanks

If you want us to help you compare the advantages/disadvantages of the Canopus ADVC-100 with your capture device, you should first tell us what your device is.

That said, I would echo what CoalMan said, and also add that one of the things I like most about my ADVC-100 is the general look and feel of solid quality that I get in using/handling it. It is a bit expensive compared to some of the competition, and I had to think long and hard before shelling out the money for it, but I'm glad I got it.

I would add a couple of more points:

1. There are competitors to the Canopus that you may want to look at before you decide (Datavideo DAC-100 and ADS Pyro A/V Link, for example).

2. If you don't want to bother with editing AVI and separate encoding to MPEG2, these are not the units you want to consider. i.e. if you want ready-made MPEG2/VOBS coming out of the capture device, consider getting a hardware MPEG2 encoder or a DVD recorder. As for your requirement for "different formats", it depends on what those formats are. You can buy hardware encoders that do DIvX/MPEG4 (the Plextor 402U, for example).

[Sillyname]

Plus the ADVC uses Canopus DV hardware chip. It converts all video into Canopus DV, which is excellent in terms of visual quality and compatibility. And it is a hardware capture device, meaning it does not rely on software running in tandem with your CPU. The speed of your system will never effect your capture quality. Although your hard drives will have to have a sustained throughput rate sufficient enough for capturing DV. No big whoop. Plus it has video pass through so you can view it full screen on a monitor while you capture.

[lordsmurf]

Without knowing what you want to do, any advice is irresponsible. What is your goal? From what sources?

[Sillyname]

Without knowing what you want to do, any advice is irresponsible. What is your goal? From what sources?

Here goes the ATI pitch...

[duffbeer911]

all I want to do is capture analogue sources, like VHS, Hi-8 etc. Do some really basic editing. Not really editing, just trimming head and tail. and burn to DVD>

[SatStorm]

Capturing mpeg 2 with any card is different than using DV...

Before you try anything else, try an alternative program to capture with your card . Try for example, the mainconcept 1.4.2 demo and see if the built in mpeg 2 capture tool it has, works good for you. You might like the results (I do for example)

Beyond that, you have 3 choices:
Any cheap card with S-Video in for avi capture (cheap and excellent choice for any kind of analogue source. Most of them avoid also macrovision)

Better cards with S-Video for mpeg 2 captures. ATI latest cards, Hauppauge PVRs, etc.... An alternative can be any cheap card with mainconcept 1.4.2 for mpeg 2 capturing but this is an advance alternative and doesn't gurante top results (most mainstream users have issues when they try to combine cards with mainconcept 1.4.2 and a typical less than 2Mhz CPU).
The third alternative is the DV root. This is the best solution (IMO) for PAL users, but the NTSC users may have better alternatives (depending what kind of source they wish to capture). The DV capture devices are more expensive the other ones.

For your VHS, Hi-8 etc, you don't need something top nocht. Try mainconcept 1.4.2 capture tool first (the demo version) and see the results.

[gshelley61]

all I want to do is capture analogue sources, like VHS, Hi-8 etc. Do some really basic editing. Not really editing, just trimming head and tail. and burn to DVD>

Look into getting a standalone DVD recorder. Excellent results, very fast and easy to use. Simple editing and re-authoring of the recorded discs on the computer is also an option. There's lots of software available for that. You could even get a DVD recorder with a built in hard drive... they usually have some additional editing features that can be used prior to burning a "final" disc.

[lordsmurf]

all I want to do is capture analogue sources, like VHS, Hi-8 etc. Do some really basic editing. Not really editing, just trimming head and tail. and burn to DVD>

DVD recorders are an excellent choice for this. You can use it simply as a capture device. Load the captured MPEG video files ontot he computer, and then do simple edits, and re-author with a nice menu. It's really easy these days.

ATI All In Wonder (AIW) cards and Hauppauge PVR 250/350 cards are two more excellent choices for MPEG captures. I prefer ATI AIW cards, but either card works.

Since you are not extensively editing, AVI, and DV AVI (like Canopus ADVC devices) are entirely unneeded, and will just waste your time.

That takes care of the DIGITAL side of digital video. Now on to the VIDEO side...

Do you have a good VCR? Have you considered a TBC?
TBC is timebase corrector, see site glossary if this is an unknown term.

[duffbeer911]

well.....with the video. I've just thrown out my old VCR. Found out it was causing more problems than it's worth. I've looked at a new VCR but again am not totally sure what to get. I could get a normal 6 head VCR....or something else. I saw on eBay a Professional SVHS machine, pretty cheap. Will this play my VHS? or some other kind of tape?

Any other advice in terms of VCR??

[lordsmurf]

Check this:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/capture/vcrtbcsuggestions.htm