Canopus ADVC-100: Looking for some definitive info

[windex]

I've been searching recently for a high-quality, reliable digital recording device that meets the following criteria:

1. Highest possible picture quality to be found in a product under $500.

2. Able to record in full-D1 (720x480) resolution to an AVI file using a lossless (or at least near enough to lossless that it won't make any difference) codec (like huffyuv) - or, if nothing else, simply as raw uncompressed video.

3. Able to accept input from an analog video source, using RCA/S-Video connectors.

4. Able to do all this while not dropping frames (or at least dropping as few as possible given my current hardware setup), and keeping audio in sync.

In searching, the Canopus ADVC-100 has caught my eye. It seems to be my best bet thus far, but I still have a few concerns. I haven't been able to find a definite answer to the question of exactly what formats this device is capable of recording in.

The Canopus site (along with various reviews I've read) claims that it records data to AVI files using Canopus' proprietary DV codec. In searching through certain posts on this forum, I've been lead to believe that perhaps all the ADVC-100 does is send raw uncompressed video through the firewire port - and it's up to you to determine what software codec to use (if any) in saving that data to disk. This is actually what I would prefer, I think - I'd like to be able to save data to disk using any codec I'd like, and not be limited by the hardware doing its own encoding. Especially when I haven't been able to find any great information on how good the Canopus DV codec is.

So, is there anyone here who can give me some definite info on the ADVC-100? Can I use any software codec I like to save my AVI files, or will I only be able to save using Canopus' codec? In the latter case, what information can you give me on Canopus' codec? Is it lossless, like huffyuv? If not, how good is the image quality compared to uncompressed? What type of software will I need for capturing? Will VirtualDub work, or will I need a package such as Adobe Premiere, or the like?

Thanks,
Windex

[Toogy]

It captures the file in DV-AVI format. Period. Trust me, it is not uncompressed AVI. I have captured 2.5 hours at a time and the file size is around 25 GB so it has to be DV. It would be beyond HUGE is it was uncompressed 720x480 avi.

[Toogy]

I might add, it is awesome. not complaints and I have done almost 20 DVD's from my home movies and no dropped frames or audio sync problems. I actually have the ADVC-1394, but it works the same.
I was scared when reading all the problems people have here converting analog home movies to DVD and I have had none of these problems with this device.
I am really pleased.

[windex]

What exactly does "DV-AVI" mean? DV could use any number of different codecs for encoding, couldn't it? Maybe I'm fuzzy on the exact meaning of the term "DV". I was under the impression it simply meant "Digital Video", which could mean, well - anything. Am I wrong? Does the term "DV" imply a specific format, with a specific compression algorithm? If not, exactly which format does the ADVC-100 use, or does it allow to choose your codec (in software)?

It sounds good, otherwise. I just want to be totally clear on exactly what I'm getting before I spend $250-$300 on this thing.

Windex

[Toogy]

The way I understand it, is that the computer basically thinks it has a digital camcorder hooked to it and treats it as such. the card converts the analog signal to DV format, which is a format and then transfers it to the computer.

[The village idiot]

DV is indeed a specific codec. It has definite parameters, and is in fact a standard. It is a compressed form of digital video. You can get some info here: http://www.uwplatt.edu/~meinhard/DigitalVideoBasicslight.pdf and also here: http://www.adamwilt.com/ if the site is back up, was down as of this message.

[The village idiot]

Also try this one: http://www.adobe.com/motion/events/pdfs/dvprimer.pdf

[avmaster]

i have been thinking too about buying this canopus 100 for converting analog material (VHS, HI8) to DV.
i read very positive things about this device,
but why not buy a digital8 or DV camera
especially a digital8 camera is not that much more expensive than the canopus 100
you can convert video8 and hi8 to DV and edit afterwards in the pc
the advantage is of course having a digital camera for only say $200 extra

[BJ_M]

the canopus DV codec is considered one - if not the very best - dv codec in the world .. the quality is extremly good ..

Even AVID systems used it and endorsed it (upto now when avid has wriiten thier own codec starting with avid dv 3.5) ..

everyone i know who bought one of these things has been happy with it ..

[kini mini]

I actually have the ADVC-1394, but it works the same.
.

Does that mean the ADVC-1394 is basically an internal version of the ADVC-100? Sorry if it's a silly question, I'm getting a bit confused after reading the stuff at Canopus and then posts here.

[Toogy]

Yes, pretty much. I didn't have a firewire card so I opted for this, since it has firewire built in.

[kini mini]

Thanks, don't have one either and the mobos with them built in are a bit more expensive.