Dazzle USB - Major Problems...help - please

[koi kichi]

I read the section on capturing with the Dazzle USB DVC80, went along and bought one and now the problems have started.
Reading through the article, and trying it for real, I can find no way of changing the bitrates and there are no pre-installed templates on the capture bitty. I've uninstalled and re-installed the software, and everything seems fine, apart from the fact that the vcd's I've done so far are pants!
Anybody with any thoughts, ideas or tips?
Many thanks

[zoinks2]

You can't change the bitrate settings on the Dazzle USB unit. You would have to upgrade to the Dazzle DVCII to do so.

[jdatec]

Alternatively you can pick up the parallel port unit on ebay for $100 or less. It does okay on mpegs but the VCD template is poor. Bitrates for audio and video up to 400k.

[koi kichi]

Is it really worth my while upgrading to the DVCII?
I want to transfer some fish videos to vcd and really want the quality to be as good as possible.
Thanks

[zoinks2]

The DVC II is the way to go in my opinion. I actually had the Dazzle USB first and returned it because of the limitations. As a matter of fact, I have transfered five Phish shows so far from VHS to SVCD using the DVCII and am pleased with the results. I found the DVCII for a good price online for $242.00 total with shipping.