Canopus or Matrox ?

[aiw9800proman]

Hi all,

I am seriously considering a new card thats bundled with the Adobe video suite.

Currently looking at Matrox rtx 100 extreme pro and Canopus dvstorm pro 2. Anyone had any experience with these ?

Cheers

M

[lordsmurf]

I've known people that have used both, and I've used a similar Matrox card on the MAC (RTmac). Both are a bitch to install. But the Matrox seems better in quality, the Canopus for real-time editing. Matrox.com has a FAIR comparison at it's site (I've got the PDF on my computer too). Canopus has one too, but not so fair. It has bad tests that shows it's best at everything.

That's what I know, see and have heard.

This board doesn't have many users with such equipment.

[gf]

Hi aiw9800proman,
I can't say about Matrox, but I have a DVStorm2 and the video editing and overall quality of the video is great. I don't use the Adobe, I just use the Storm edit software that came with the card.

[aiw9800proman]

Ls,

Your right about the 'unfair' comparison on the Canopus site !

I suppose I should be asking this question "what is considered to be the very best in the professional world of vhs - dvd capture and encoding" ?

Because that is what im looking for.

Cheers

[aiw9800proman]

Hi gf,

Whats the vhs - mpeg2 conversion like ?
Im looking to convert pal vhs tapes to dvd and have the end result looking as good as the original tape, which I haven't managed to do yet.

Cheers

[lordsmurf]

Matrox is better at conversion and video quality. Especially on MPEG.
The DV Storm is better for real-time editing.

I have heard and seen this sentiment many times over.

[racerxnet]

Hey Smurf,

Where's the proof? Try to substantiate with some links or factual evidence.

[gf]

Hi aiw9800proman
You can use the Canopus card in a few different ways
1) Capture in MPEG2 format
2) Capture in avi using Canopus dv codec and convert into MPEG2 through the DVStorm2
OR
3) Capture in avi using Canopus dv codec and convert into MPEG2 through software (Procoder).

The MPEG2 encoder is real good but I like doing it in software, you have a little of the bitrate.
And I didn't change my name to Lordsmurf
He doesn't like Canopus
I use over the air, laserdisc, dvd, and satellite as my sources. They all come out GREAT!!!!

[lordsmurf]

Hey Smurf, Where's the proof? Try to substantiate with some links or factual evidence.

I have a 651kb Adobe PDF file for you. Send me an e-mail address that accepts attachments, and it's yours. It came from the Matrox website. I ran across it while I was trying to find more info on a friend's RTmac card and reading in the Matrox forums.

I've recently been looking for new employment. Most places that do video editing require knowledge of Canopus for editing. Places that did more conversion (which is mostly what I want to do) tend to use Matrox. Seeing as how my experience is little on either card (outside of reading and knowing people that have used these cards), I don't stand an icecube's chance in hell at getting jobs in either scenario.

[gimp]

I have had the DVstorm 2 for over a year now, never a complaint about it i was looking at Matrox RT100 when i got it from my dealer that sells both and builds custom computers. He liked the matrox card but said he had alot of bugs and errors with the canopus one he said was the easiest and to him had alot better technology over matrox. The only problem i have really seen or heard of problems with the dvstorm is it prefers nvidia or amd chipsets, seems that via chipsets have gave alot of peeps problems. I use premiere 6.5 for most of my editing but am now in the process of switching to Edius canopus's editing software. As far as encoding i use procoder mostly but i use also CCE, and mpegcraft thats with premiere. I have backed up several vhs to svcd snd dvd with excellent quailty. The only problem i have with dvstorm is premiere pro. the drivers from canopus are still buggy as hell. So i would say that might be a problem if you want to solely use adobe premiere. I know matrox is offering a trade up for anyone that is using or has canopus dvstorm at the moment. (Would i trade up?? NOOO WAY)

[racerxnet]

Hi Smurf,

Ive read the Matrox and Canopus comparision and have to agree with Canopus on the RGB vs YUV color space conversion. I also do not believe the scope Jpegs from Canopus are misleading, though I could be wrong. What would concern me is how Matrox takes the RGB and converts it to YUV.
Link: http://www.canopus.us/US/pdf/Storm_comparison.pdf

I also notice the resale value of the Canopus products is quite high, though I do not track any other product for resale values.

Your ability to learn the new software/hardware issues are at your fingertips and desire. I'm sure you have a tremendous advantage and real world experience compared to the kid with a piece of paper on the wall. This is a tough job market at this time for all industries, and I see it getting harder for us older folks.

I am going back to school, with the hopes that the piece of paper on the wall in software programming, and real world experiences will secure a job in my desired industry. I hope it works out for you!

[lordsmurf]

Hi Smurf, Ive read the Matrox and Canopus comparision and have to agree with Canopus on the RGB vs YUV color space conversion. I also do not believe the scope Jpegs from Canopus are misleading, though I could be wrong. What would concern me is how Matrox takes the RGB and converts it to YUV.
Link: http://www.canopus.us/US/pdf/Storm_comparison.pdf

I also notice the resale value of the Canopus products is quite high, though I do not track any other product for resale values. Your ability to learn the new software/hardware issues are at your fingertips and desire. I'm sure you have a tremendous advantage and real world experience compared to the kid with a piece of paper on the wall. This is a tough job market at this time for all industries, and I see it getting harder for us older folks. I am going back to school, with the hopes that the piece of paper on the wall in software programming, and real world experiences will secure a job in my desired industry. I hope it works out for you!

I'm not all that old. I can still smell the ink on my degree. But yes, mine serves as a piece of pretty wallpaper too. I plan to go for an M.A. here soon, but not sure when.

Canopus has always seemed like Microsoft to me. Not sure when to trust them, and not sure their products are the godsend they always make them out to be. I do know the Canopus ADVC-100 is flawless, though it's just DV and a bit pricey at that.

[racerxnet]

Hi Smurf,

I used the ADVC-100, but sold it, I now use the DVrex-M1 for all NLE applications. The breakout box affords the flexibility for input/output from a wide array of devices. It has issues just like other products on the market. These can be worked out with careful planning and investigation. I am not fond of MS product either and will use Mandrake if and when possible. When the manufactures support a complete editing system based on a open source software is when I will abandon MS for good. We can say the MAC system is based on the open source 2.4 kernel, but the software is closed source.

[Gorgoloch]

Hi

Was curious if this post was still active. I'm also looking to purchase either a Canopus DVStorm or Matrox RTX100. Been bopping around and trying to read the differances, plusses and minuses of each. But I've found real world experince seems to be best.

I want to edit things shot on a DV camcorder, as well as convert things such as LD. Has anyone used Premiere with the Canopus? I've used it with the RTX10 on a friends machine and have been happy with the results. But so far haven't used the Canopus.

OK, this was supposed to be short. If this is still active I can ask more.

Thanks,

G-Loch

[pippas]

There is a thread on the 'Premiere Editing' section of the Canopus forums which suggests that the Storm may have issues with Premiere Pro

-Might be worth a look?