ADS Instant DVD-CaptyDVD Maximum DVD Movie Length

[Surfmaster]

Hi Everyone:

I'm thinking of purchasing an ADS Instant DVD box and software to transfer VHS tapes containing basketball games and tv shows to DVD. I wanted to know how long of a DVD I can make using ADS's DVD authoring software, CaptyDVD. I understand that CaptyDVD works like iDVD. I have a PowerMac G4 500MHz (AGP graphics). Can I author DVDs that are at least two hours long using CaptyDVD? Please reply. Thanks.

[Frobozz]

Surfmaster, I'm trying to figure out which of your two posts is the best place to put my reply. I have the ADS unit and you can set the bit rate for encoding to a level that can put well over 2 hours on a DVD.

But I recommend getting the standalone DVD recorder instead. For instance, the JVC model has a feature where you set how long the DVD will be and it decides the bit rate. Plus, you get AC3 sound rather than mp2 audio with the ADS. That gets you greater compatibility for your recorded DVDs with various DVD Players. By searching videohelp.com you'll likely find substantial user comments about the different brands and models of standalone units.

With the standalone recorder you can copy directly from your VHS tape to DVD without using your computer and can easily record new TV shows to DVD. Although the ADS box encodes as MPEG 2, there still is a lot of time spent preparing those MPEGs for edits and having CaptyDVD rewrite them before burning a DVD.

I've read that recording an iMovie to the standalone DVD player via Firewire is a simple as playing the iMovie while the unit records. Haven't got one to try it out yet.

[AntnyMD]

The main advantages of having an ADS box is you can capture bits here and there and assemble your own DVD, no software conversion to MPEG2, and the fact that you can capture video and dump it off to your internal or external drive(s) and not have to worry about having a blank DVD handy to record the next episode of Six Feet Under...

The downside of being in the market currently for an ADS box is adstech.com doesnt sell it anymore, and store supplies will dwindle to nothing eventually.

God I hope Apple develops an iTiVo. Talk about some serious crack!

[Frobozz]

ADS is showing the ADS USB Instant DVD for Mac back in their current products list. So maybe it isn't discontinued after all. Awhile ago they moved it to their legacy products list, but now its back.

[deadsierra]

Anyone feeling like posting screenshots of the software? That'd be nice.

[Surfmaster]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I appreciate the time. I have purchased one from www.macsales.com.

The link below takes you to the ADS Instant DVD instruction manual. It has screen shots of the PixeDV and CaptyDVD software:

http://www.adstech.com/products/macav1750/manuals/MACAV-1750%20eng%20manual.pdf

[AntnyMD]

Ever since I got the ADS box, I havent used my VCR ... I mention this because today there was a power outage at my place while I was at work, and the clock was flashing when I got home ... reminding me that I do indeed still have a VCR.