I can get this cheap. Questions on what I can do with it.

[GLE3]

PYRO A /V Link w/Elements (API-557-EFS)

http://www.adstech.com/products/api-557-efs/intro/api557_intro.asp?pid=api-557-efs

By real time is it saying I can send video (from firewire) on my pc to my tv (component) in with out having to capture first? Like a scan converter or a scaler?

Or is the connection with the PC just to interface wth the hard drive to store captured media? So then I could play it on my tv after I capture it (using the outputs on the device)?

Can I send what ever video format(mpeg2, mpeg4, avc) into the device, or does it have to be specific?

Thanks for any help!

[filmboss80]

If you want to simply watch your camcorder footage on the TV, just run the A/V cables from the camcorder to TV. The Pyro/Elements package is made primarily for those who want to capture and edit their analog or digital video footage. Whether analog or digital, I believe Pyro will save it as DV avi.

[GLE3]

So it would only be practical to use with a camcorder?

Actually I was looking to use it as a capture device for analog tv , and if it was possible, use it as an output device from my computer to my tv. I currently don’t have a video out on my Pc.

[usually_quiet]

PYRO A /V Link Features:
Capture any analog video source to high quality DV video format
Component IN/OUT: Exclusive component video connectors!
Includes Adobe® Premiere® Elements 4.0 software
Compatible with FireWire/1394 enabled PC's and Mac's
Convert analog video to DV or DV to analog
Export digital video files to VCR's
Convert between devices (from DV to Analog or Analog to DV) without using a computer

Based on that, it looks to me like it would do at least some of what you want, but would not be very convenient. For analog TV video capture, the connection from the PYRO A /V Link to the PC needs to be via firewire, and it would require another device (such as a VCR, DVD recorder, or cable box) to tune the analog TV signal. Said device would also need to have composite, component, or s-video outputs. Also you should be aware that although DV is good for editing, it takes up a lot of hard drive space. I am not sure how, but the PYRO A /V Link must also allow sound to be captured as well. Too bad the ADS website does not have a manual available for this device that shows the connections to a PC

While it appears the PYRO A /V Link can convert DV format video (but only DV video) to analog, and send it to a TV using a composite, component or s-video connection, I'm not sure how you would get DV out of a PC via firewire. (I've only heard about getting DV into a PC via firewire.) Audio out would have to be via the PC's sound card or headphone jack.

[redwudz]

DV is about 13.5GB per hour of video.

GLE3, you would need a FireWire card on your computer to send the file to your computers hard drive. WinDV is a good choice for transfer software.

Not sure if the box can output to your TV directly, but it does have Component output, so maybe.

It seems to be mostly a analog to DV converter. That's fine. A Canopus ADVC-110 analog to DV converter is about $200, so if this box will do that for a lot less, might be interesting.

Very few standalone devices can play back a DV file. It's really for editing and is converted or encoded to the final output. But it's a great editing format. My older Pioneer DVR can accept DV, but from a camera. Never tried hooking my ADVC-100 to see if it will accept that. I doubt it.

But others here may be more familiar with the device.

[GLE3]

While it appears the PYRO A /V Link can convert DV format video (but only DV video) to analog, and send it to a TV using a composite, component or s-video connection, I'm not sure how you would get DV out of a PC via firewire. (I've only heard about getting DV into a PC via firewire.)

That's what I'm wondering. It would be really cool if I can get video out from firewire.

So if the firewire doesn't have video out, what did the makers of this product intend a person to do with the edited captures on his/her PC? Just keep it on there PC I guess?

For analog TV video capture, the connection from the PYRO A /V Link to the PC needs to be via firewire, and it would require another device (such as a VCR, DVD recorder, or cable box) to tune the analog TV signal

I'm kind of fuzzy on this.. Are you saying I will need more than a TV with composite out, the PYRO A /V Link, and a PC with a firewire port to capture?

[GLE3]

Sounds like good news!

http://www.adstech.com/KB/(wahk4d45hdjiy4rjmf2xq355)/KB_DisplayKBAnswerDetail.aspx?error=FALSE&KB_ID=20 491&path=topten

[usually_quiet]

So if the firewire doesn't have video out, what did the makers of this product intend a person to do with the edited captures on his/her PC? Just keep it on there PC I guess?

Often, they'd edit the video on their computer and convert it to be DVD compliant, then burn it to a DVD. Other times they might convert to a different format and upload it to You Tube, or put it on a USB flash drive. There are plenty of other ways to get video off the PC after editing.

For analog TV video capture, the connection from the PYRO A /V Link to the PC needs to be via firewire, and it would require another device (such as a VCR, DVD recorder, or cable box) to tune the analog TV signal

I'm kind of fuzzy on this.. Are you saying I will need more than a TV with composite out, the PYRO A /V Link, and a PC with a firewire port to capture?

If the TV has composite video out, it would work, but TVs very rarely have anything but composite video inputs. Be sure there are RCA audio out ports too. The majority of TVs don't have those either. That's why I wrote that a VCR, DVD recorder, or cable box would be needed for use as a tuner. Except for very old VCRs, they generally offer the required line outputs.

[rumplestiltskin]

ADS Tech converter boxes I've used in the past have had issues with overheating chips which cause pixelation during the transfer. I've seen some folks mitigate this by opening a hole in the case over the problem chip(s) and mounting a fan, then opening a few more small holes in other spots in the case to facilitate the airflow.

I no longer buy anything from that company. There are other boxes that do the same thing and are more reliable (Canopus makes one whose p/n I do not recall at the moment).

[edDV]

Let's back up and review your goals. The ADS Pyro is similar in function to a Canopus ADVC. It is not a display card or a scan converter. It either captures analog and converts to a DV incoming stream or it converts a DV outgoing stream to analog (composite, S-Video, analog component at 480i/576i) for display. Note that many DV format camcorders can do this as well.

Programs like WinDV or Premiere Elements will capture the DV stream to a file (DV-AVI), or export a DV stream from the edit timeline to the Pyro for preview display on a TV. They can also "play" a DV-AVI file for 1x DV stream output thrrough the Pyro to a TV.

[edDV]

Can I send what ever video format(mpeg2, mpeg4, avc) into the device, or does it have to be specific?

The device only outputs DV format to the computer or accepts DV format from the computer. Some software will accept DV format and convert real time to MPeg assuming a fast enough CPU. Likewise, some software can real time convert MPeg to DV format on the fly. This is very CPU intensive.

What is your application?

[GLE3]

Can I send what ever video format(mpeg2, mpeg4, avc) into the device, or does it have to be specific?

The device only outputs DV format to the computer or accepts DV format from the computer. Some software will accept DV format and convert real time to MPeg assuming a fast enough CPU. Likewise, some software can real time convert MPeg to DV format on the fly. This is very CPU intensive.

What is your application?

Basically, I am looking to make this a capture device for my TV, as well as a media transport device for other file types I may get off the web. If it is possible, I want to convert HD media to DV avi format so I can “playback” the file from PC to TV. I noticed this only captures in 720 X 480 resolution. Do you think it will play higher or lower resolution DV avi files?

I’m not sure what software I will use with it. Part of the deal on getting the device cheap was that no software will be sent with it. Any specific recommendations on software to “play” captured files (thanks for the WinDV and APE recommendations already) and software to convert to DV avi? Conversion doesn’t have to be done on the fly, put it would be a nice perk!

[filmboss80]

GL3, you are still confusing a video capture and edit device for a PC-to-TV video playback device. The Pyro package was not designed for what you want to do. It's video output is simply designed to give DV video editors a means to monitor what they are cutting. (The term "capture," in this case, applies to getting footage from a VCR or camcorder into the computer, It is not for computer-to-TV playback, unless you stick with the DV-AVI format and play back solely from the Premiere Elements editing timeline.) The Pyro kit was not designed for what you ultimately want it to do. This is like using a screwdriver to hammer a nail.

[GLE3]

GL3, you are still confusing a video capture and edit device for a PC-to-TV video playback device. The Pyro package was not designed for what you want to do. It's video output is simply designed to give DV video editors a means to monitor what they are cutting. (The term "capture," in this case, applies to getting footage from a VCR or camcorder into the computer, It is not for computer-to-TV playback, unless you stick with the DV-AVI format and play back solely from the Premiere Elements editing timeline.) The Pyro kit was not designed for what you ultimately want it to do. This is like using a screwdriver to hammer a nail.

I see what you are saying. I just figured I would have to spend about (250$) to capture and display video (buying a capture and video card and power supply), using “conventional” PC to TV methods given all the components of my Dell are stock. I can get this device new for 50$. All I would have to do is buy software to use it (and firewire PCI). I’ve looked at scan converters, and while they are inexpensive, I hear the quality isn’t the best. I figured something like this would give me a better picture. Your right, a drawback is having to convert everything to DV avi.

Definitely unconventional, but if it can do the things I want it to then I thought I would ask a couple questions to explore the possibilities….

If it doesn’t work out, I could just use it with a camcorder for family videos and stuff.

[usually_quiet]

The fact that the bundled Adobe Software isn't included makes this item a more dubious investment.

You would need to buy a compatible version of Adobe® Premiere® Elements or something else that is able to play back video via firewire and audio via the soundcard or headphone jack. Adobe® Premiere® Elements 7, the current version, costs around $130. The free DV utilties for firewire that I have looked at are for video only. They don't play back sound, as far as I can tell.

Maybe there is free software I haven't seen, or maybe you can find an older version of Adobe® Premiere® Elements at a software clearance house, but who knows if either option is actually available?

Adding up the cost of the ADS Pyro, the firewire card, software and perhaps a firewire cable, are the savings really worth the inconvenience? Converting video from another format to DV avi takes considerable time and disc space.

[edDV]

The Pyro is for interlace DV format at 480i/29.97 or 576i/25 only. It accepts analog composite, S-Video and analog component video converting each to DV format (~13GB/hr).

It has two main uses.

1. Analog capture (VCR, analog camcorder, external TV tuner, etc) to DV format. I use my similar Canopus ADVC for TV capture off my cable box when I intend to edit it later for MPeg. I do this mainly to fast scrub through finance shows looking for small info clips to extract. DV is fast for this kind of editing vs clunky MPeg. I also cap to DV format when I want high SD quality. Usually I will edit this later and then encode to MPeg2 or MPeg4.

2. Edit Timeline monitoring. When you are editing DV format, the computer preview window is non-representative of true video quality. A DV monitor path through the Pyro to a calibrated interlace TV lets you see the native DV video. This is especially important for setting levels and filters. You can also use this feature to monitor MPeg2 timelines if the edit application supports real time preview conversion. Vegas does this but a fast CPU is required. Vegas will even support HD to SD DV conversion for monitoring an HD edit on an SD monitor. Again CPU power is the limit so real time playback from HD may be a struggle. It is still useful to preview frames when adjusting filters.

Other uses:

I Use my ADVC as the interface between my cable box, TV monitor and two PC's (via IEEE-1394). The ADVC can switch modes from DV capture to DV playback. In capture mode, the cable box output is sent to the TV in analog and also to both PC's as DV streams. That way I can cap DV on either PC using WinDV. In playback mode, the editor DV timelines on the PC editors are switched to the TV monitor. In that mode I only connect one PC at a time.

The Pyro/ADVC can also be very useful for system calibration. The ADVC outputs an analog color bar for levels setting.

I also use my ADVC for PAL capture from DVD/Laserdisc players or PAL analog sources (VCR/VTR). I take it with me to Europe to cap PAL analog material to my laptop.

It can also be used as you propose to play DV-AVI files directly to the TV using programs like WinDV or Enosoft.

BTW, audio isn't a problem. The Pyro and ADVC route audio properly and the DV stream carries uncompressed PCM stereo audio. I keep it set to 16bit/48KHz.


PS: I have instant use for it at $50 if you don't want it.

[GLE3]

Wow! Very detailed and extensive information. Thanks!