Kworld Xpert DVD Maker USB 2.0 VS. ADS Instant DVD

[CRTVeous]

Any recomendations or experience with either of these to encoders? I'm looking to dub Hi8 home movies to DVD with chapters.

[harley2ride]

If I was looking now, I would think about trying the newest ADS product (ADS DVD XPRESS DX2). Good software and it looks like it captures to mpeg1, mpeg2, mpeg4, or divx.

[DaveM59]

You're comparing apples and oranges. The IDVD 2.0 costs at least twice as much but has hardware encoding. That means no dropped frames, and you can actually use the PC for other things while capturing.

I never owned the KWorld USB device but I do have the XPert DVD Maker PCI unit and it works, but for encoding MPEG2 at 4 MB/S it takes more horsepower than my lowly Sempron 2400 can deliver.

The IDVD unit has many nice features including controls for contrast, brightness etc plus noise filtering, all through the capture program. Also TV outputs so you can see the effect of your adjustments in Preview mode before you begin to capture. The output on a computer monitor can be very misleading. IDVD also includes several editing and authoring programs geared to different levels of experience and ambition. The KWorld bundled software is less versatile.

[FulciLives]

The ADS Instant DVD 2.0 (USBAV702) is a most excellent device and I highly suggest it.

If you purchase it on-line you can find it as cheap as $100 or so U.S. Dollars. Use a website such as PRICEGRABBER.COM to find the lowest on-line price.

Some notes based on my experience with the ADS Instant DVD 2.0 ...

1.) The device overheats. This is a known "flaw" in the design of the unit. I and others have overcome this using a very simple "trick". Prop the device up using make-shift legs so it is at least 2 or 3 inches above the surface is would otherwise be resting on then direct a small fan on it. This helps to disperse the heat keeping it from getting too hot. Make sure you turn it off when not in use.

2.) The device can capture one of 3 ways. The best way to ensure proper A/V sync is to capture to a single MPEG file using MP2 audio. Use the max bitrate that MP2 can handle (which is 384kbps). After you capture use VideoRedo and run the file through the VideoRedo "Quick Stream Fix" option. Once that is done you can saftely demux or demultiplex the video and audio. Convert the MP2 to a PCM WAV file where you can normalize it or apply noise reduction etc. then convert to AC-3 format for the final DVD. If you want to edit the file VideoRedo can do that. I would run it through the "Quick Stream Fix" first ... then edit ... then demux and convert the audio to AC-3 format as mentioned.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[CRTVeous]

Thanks guys.

Since it came up, harley2ride has a good point with the newer ADS DVD XPRESS DX2. Any other recommended encoders for near the same cost?