Dazzle Hollywood DV - Bridge

[Deathwish]

DON'T BUY THE DAZZLE - It's has a horizontal syn problem if you use the composite video

input. I've read a review (http://www.insanely-great.com/reviews/dazzle.html)
that said the problem didn't occur when using SVideo inputs. However, the problem was also

resolved for the author by cycling through the mode button on the unit. This didn't work for

me. Dazzle claims it only occurs with poor quality tapes on Macs only. Well I used a good

quality new tape with a dell 700MHz PIII & I have the same problem.

It may be that you do not experience the problem with S-video inputs but why not buy the

Sony DVMC-DA2 instead for $349.99 for J&R instead (1800-221-8180, item# SON DVMCDA2).
It's in the same price range & won't have the H-sync problems.

[TylerL]

I'm a proud owner of a Dazzle DV Converter (on a Mac using Composite input, no less).
It's true that if your video is of HORRIBLE quality (i.e. 10th generation SLP, which people won't need in almost broadcast-quality anyway) the box will go out of sync, but otherwise it's been the best $250 I've ever spent...And it doesn't have Macrovision protection like the Sony one does ^_^
...Chewlie's Gum Salesman?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TylerL on 2001-08-29 10:03:57 ]</font>

[Deathwish]

HORRIBLE QUALITY??? (10th GENERATION SLP ???

I wish you were right TylerT. I have recorded tapes off of cable in SP mode on premium brand Sony & Maxell tapes. I then proceeded to immediately convert the analog VHS to DV using the DV Bridge. Not only were these first generation SP tapes, but this was the first time I played them back!!!
The VCR I used to record the tapes were a Magnavox & I played them back to the DV bridge using either a Magnavox or Proscan VCR with the same poor results.
I also have this problem when playing back professionally recorded VHS tapes.
In fact, the H-sync problem also occurs if I transmit composite video directly from my VCRs' tuners (cable input).

The problem also occurs on macs. Read the review: http://www.insanely-great.com/reviews/dazzle.html

The Sony may have macrovision protection, but how hard it is to hook up a de-macro box b/w the VCR & th Sony AD convertor. The H-sync problem has made my results from any tape look worse than macrovision makes protected copies look. If the company who made macrovision coould figure out how Dazzle makes the output look so bad & integrate this onto VHS tapes, they could make alot of $$$ cpies of tapes look so bad.
Tyler, mabey the brand of your VCR, tapes, or something else has something to do with reason you are getting better results.
Could you tell us more about your configuration?

[Dragonsf]

I'm using the DV Brigde for six month now and have now real problem. Yes, with some "old" tapes I'll sync problems, but with relative new ones (not older than 3 years) and especially S-VHS recordings I'll get no problems at all.
I tried first to get the Sony Media Converter, but is this NTSC only and doesn't work in Europe.
The Hollywood Bridge is NTSC/PAL, but NTSC VHS is ony only converted to b/w allthough my VCR can play NTSC and watching the same Video via TV I get the rigth color. Some knows a solution to this minor problem?

[AndrewDV]

Hi,

I am quite interested in this product. From the review mentioned, it read as if there was an updated version of the product being sent out. If this is true, does anyone know how to determine it. In other words, how can I tell the one I bought is the updated version or not?

I am also interested in the difference between this and the DV.nowAV. From the few reviews I have read about it, it seems to be a good purchase.

Just a FYI, I have read that using a TBC increases the signal quality of an analog device. In the case of people having problems with the DV bridge, this may help.

Thank you

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: AndrewDV on 2001-09-17 09:47:03 ]</font>

[Deathwish]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-17 09:19:16, AndrewDV wrote:
Hi,

I am quite interested in this product. From the review mentioned, it read as if there was an updated version of the product being sent out. If this is true, does anyone know how to determine it. In other words, how can I tell the one I bought is the updated version or not?

I am also interested in the difference between this and the DV.nowAV. From the few reviews I have read about it, it seems to be a good purchase.

Just a FYI, I have read that using a TBC increases the signal quality of an analog device. In the case of people having problems with the DV bridge, this may help.

Thank you

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: AndrewDV on 2001-09-17 09:47:03 ]</font>
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

[Deathwish]

What is a TBC ?

[fishgod1010]

I have the DV HOLLYWOOD BRIDGE, too. I have had for about 6 months, and experience the same Horizontal Synch problem as described here. I have recently learned how to crop the image in Tmpec, but have yet to try it. The only other parameter I do not like is the 2 gig limit my Windows ME gives me, which is about 20 min. of avi. I am trying to get my hands on a copy of Windows2000, to remedy this, I hope?

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.

[wh thompson]

I have just purchased a Dazzle DVC II but it will not work on my PC. I have a 1.2 GHZ Athlon and an asus A7A266 motherboard. Anyone else experience this problem ? Any solution ?

[Deathwish]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-30 14:07:35, fishgod1010 wrote:
I have the DV HOLLYWOOD BRIDGE, too. I have had for about 6 months, and experience the same Horizontal Synch problem as described here. I have recently learned how to crop the image in Tmpec, but have yet to try it.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I think it's a pain be forced to do more work (i.e, cropping) when editing your video after you just paid ~$300 to make it easier. But I think you are right. That is the best (cheapest) solution to Dazzle DVC owners.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
The only other parameter I do not like is the 2 gig limit my Windows ME gives me, which is about 20 min. of avi. I am trying to get my hands on a copy of Windows2000, to remedy this, I hope?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Win 2000 wil definately remedy this. I just created a 25+GB avi file (~90min) under win 2000 pro. The process can now be automatic. You hit play on your source, set your capture program to stop capturing after a set time, and you can come back in a couple of hours with a perfect avi file. (not so perfect if you used the Dazzle Hollywood bridge )