AVerMedia DarkCrystal HD Capture Station - Good for Restoration?

[djnice]

This device contains an ADV7181C chip (link)

The datasheet claims these (link):
• Adaptive Digital Line Length Tracking (ADLLT™)
• Proprietary architecture for locking to weak, noisy, and
unstable sources from VCRs and tuners
• Luminance digital noise reduction (DNR)

The ADLLT technology is a good TBC: link

Has anyone ever tried this device?

[usually_quiet]

I haven't tried it, but most people here who do VHS restoration want a capture device that provides an opportunity to capture with a lossless codec. Since the Dark Crystal Capture Station HD only does H.264 hardware encoding, most here would say it is not a good choice for VHS restoration.

[Cauptain]

I haven't tried it, but most people here who do VHS restoration want a capture device that provides an opportunity to capture with a lossless codec. Since the Dark Crystal Capture Station HD only does H.264 hardware encoding, most here would say it is not a good choice for VHS restoration.

I agree. Horrible picture quality.

Max bitrate is 15k using x264 FASTER preset.

Bad choice. True.



Claudio

[Bjs]

Generally no ... the first device in line must do all the work ... secondary devices can not correct signal errors / breaks.

[djnice]

OK, but I think, the Adaptive Digital Line Length Tracking is more efficient than other TBC-s. May be a better choice than a DVD Recorder.

[themaster1]

adaptative digital line length tracking this sound suspicious. Could it be a commercial hardware implementation of the Software TBC developped by Jmac ?? If they mention the term "digital" i'm guessing it's not a traditional Tbc (analog domain) . My 2 cents

An interesting device i'd say, buy and report to us

[djnice]

adaptative digital line length tracking this sound suspicious. Could it be a commercial hardware implementation of the Software TBC developped by Jmac ?? If they mention the term "digital" i'm guessing it's not a traditional Tbc (analog domain) . My 2 cents

An interesting device i'd say, buy and report to us

OK, I will buy it

[yoda313]

If its h264 encoding you want you might consider a hauppauge hdpvr. Combined with a tbc in the workflow before the hauppauge hdpvr you should get a good file to use afterwards. The hdpvr records to h264 via a usb hardware box. It records h264 in mp4, m2ts or ts file formats. It has composite and component inputs. For high def recording you can record via component up to 1080i and with 5.1 ac3 via fiber optic input.

If it works out to be less expensive to buy a separate tbc and an hdpvr that might be the way to go (ie less expensive than the model you are looking at in this thread). The hdpvr has a good reputation and there are other tbcs out there with a good lineage. I can't really recommend a specific model but I thought I'd throw this suggestion out there for you.

[usually_quiet]

adaptative digital line length tracking this sound suspicious. Could it be a commercial hardware implementation of the Software TBC developped by Jmac ?? If they mention the term "digital" i'm guessing it's not a traditional Tbc (analog domain) . My 2 cents

An interesting device i'd say, buy and report to us

OK, I will buy it

3 people said don't buy it. I guess you want to be a lab rat, and don't care if you end up wasting your money.

[djnice]

I have an PAL VHS tape with strong Timebase errors.

I tried many device with no luck:

- Panasonic NV-HS860: With TBC ON the picture distorts, without TBC the edges are wavy
- JVC HR-S7600: Same
- AVT-8710: No change in the picture
- Panasonic DMR-ES15: The picture more wavy, than without
- Sony DCR-TRV110E Digital8 Camcorder Pass-Thru: The picture is fine (the best of all), but a continous brightness changing come out (AGC?)
- Pioneer DVR-433H: The picture is OK (less waves), but many framedrop appeared
- JVC DR-MH20: The picture is less wavy, but another timebase errors appeared (like saw)

I think worth a try the Avermedia, then I finished

[djnice]

If its h264 encoding you want you might consider a hauppauge hdpvr. Combined with a tbc in the workflow before the hauppauge hdpvr you should get a good file to use afterwards. The hdpvr records to h264 via a usb hardware box. It records h264 in mp4, m2ts or ts file formats. It has composite and component inputs. For high def recording you can record via component up to 1080i and with 5.1 ac3 via fiber optic input.

If it works out to be less expensive to buy a separate tbc and an hdpvr that might be the way to go (ie less expensive than the model you are looking at in this thread). The hdpvr has a good reputation and there are other tbcs out there with a good lineage. I can't really recommend a specific model but I thought I'd throw this suggestion out there for you.

In Europe, the Hauppauge HD PVR is more expensive than Avermedia.

[yoda313]

In Europe, the Hauppauge HD PVR is more expensive than Avermedia.

Oh ok. Well I just wanted to make sure you knew there were other options available.