Convert X, no BS?

[ROBERT BLACK]

Well after a couple of less than stellar captures with my Leadtek Winfast card, I've been thinking of upgrading to a no BS(or less BS) solution. Apparently this may be it. A hardware based real time capture encoder from Plextor. with an acceptable price to match. Thoughts?


http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX.html

[FulciLives]

Well after a couple of less than stellar captures with my Leadtek Winfast card, I've been thinking of upgrading to a no BS(or less BS) solution. Apparently this may be it. A hardware based real time capture encoder from Plextor. with an acceptable price to match. Thoughts?


http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX.html

I've heard bad things about it along with the fact that it is limited to 6000kbps when a DVD can handle up to 8000kbps. It also only does CBR although real-time VBR catpure probably isn't much different than a straight CBR capture.

If you want a low cost direct to MPEG-2 capture solution you might want to look into the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 or one of the 9000 series ATI AIW video cards.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ROBERT BLACK]

I've heard bad things about it

Do tell! I've been checking out a few reviews. Seems pretty good so far. Does it have worse capture quality than say the Canopus ADVC 100? Seems to be in that league, from what I've read. I don't like the 6000kbps limit. But I could always re-encode with the mediaconcept encoder or the Sorenson squeeze and go up to 9600kbps. If you're just going for VHS or Laserdisc capture,(like me) I don't think the encoding limit would be that big a deal. Only so much you can get out of low rez images. Quality(sound sync,detail,video artifacting) of capture is the sticking point. The Winfast deluxe 2000 card is rated better than the Hodgepodge card. Although these under $90.00 dollar capture cards seem to be all the same quality to me. I'd go for the ATI AIW 9800 pro card, but it's priced 75-85%more than the Convert X. Perhaps I should wait untill the new year for the price reduction of that card.

[FulciLives]

I've heard bad things about it

Do tell! I've been checking out a few reviews. Seems pretty good so far. Does it have worse capture quality than say the Canopus ADVC 100? Seems to be in that league, from what I've read. I don't like the 6000kbps limit. But I could always re-encode with the mediaconcept encoder or the Sorenson squeeze and go up to 9600kbps. If you're just going for VHS or Laserdisc capture,(like me) I don't think the encoding limit would be that big a deal. Only so much you can get out of low rez images. Quality(sound sync,detail,video artifacting) of capture is the sticking point. The Winfast deluxe 2000 card is rated better than the Hodgepodge card. Although these under $90.00 dollar capture cards seem to be all the same quality to me. I'd go for the ATI AIW 9800 pro card, but it's priced 75-85%more than the Convert X. Perhaps I should wait untill the new year for the price reduction of that card.

Well I can't remember where I found this at but it was another forum group. People were complaining of sync being out-of-wack etc.

Granted it is so new that it is hard to tell. Might be worth waiting for more reviews (as more people buy it) or perhaps buy it yourself but make sure the place has a decent return policy!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ROBERT BLACK]

perhaps buy it yourself but make sure the place has a decent return policy!

If I go this route I'll post my results. But in the meantime I'll keep my eyes open for these sync issues. Thanks.