DataVideo DAC-100 + DVD Recorder

[backspaces]

I hope this isn't a dumb question .. but:

Can a DataVideo DAC-100 be used to de-macro a VCR/VHS tape directly into a DVD Recorder like the Toshiba RS-TX20? (I'm converting away from tape and the TiVo/DVD Recorder devices looks quite nice.)

I ask because the DataVideo is more typically used as an analog -> PC device via its firewire output, I believe.

I'd just get a Sima CT-2 and put it between my VCR and the Toshiba but the ability to input analog data into my Mac is a nice plus.

Owen

[Yvon]

I hope this isn't a dumb question .. but:

Can a DataVideo DAC-100 be used to de-macro a VCR/VHS tape directly into a DVD Recorder like the Toshiba RS-TX20? (I'm converting away from tape and the TiVo/DVD Recorder devices looks quite nice.)

I ask because the DataVideo is more typically used as an analog -> PC device via its firewire output, I believe.

I'd just get a Sima CT-2 and put it between my VCR and the Toshiba but the ability to input analog data into my Mac is a nice plus.

Owen

I don't know about the Toshiba RS-TX20, but I use it very efficiently with the Sharp RW-2U DVD recorder. Feed the DAC-100 through the "S" connector and feed the DVD recorder from the DAC-100 through the DV cable. The PQ is terrific.
Yvon

[FulciLives]

If you simply want to remove copy protection get a Time Base Corrector. The AVT-8710 is about $190 from B&H PHOTO VIDEO and as a TBC all forms of copy protection will be removed PLUS you ALSO get the added benefit of a full frame TBC.

That is a better solution PQ wise than using the DataVideo DAC-100

Remember if you use the DataVideo DAC-100 it is converting the footage to DV as it passes through the device. If you are using a stand alone DVD recorder you want to avoid multi compression such as this.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[sync]

The DataVideo DAC-100 doesn't remove macrovision. It just ignores it. That's good if you are copying to a PC however it is useless if you are copying to a DVD recorder.

[Yvon]

The DataVideo DAC-100 doesn't remove macrovision. It just ignores it. That's good if you are copying to a PC however it is useless if you are copying to a DVD recorder.

WRONG!

I have used the DAC-100 for 2 years and I burn perfect DVDs to the Sharp RW2U.

First, I want to make it clear that I bought the DAC-100 to replace my Sony TRV-900 DV camera wich lacked a passthrough signal and could not record more than 1 hour on mini DV cassettes.

I found out that you can't use the Sharp DVD RW2U as a player to load macrovision protected commercial DVDs to the Mac iMovie program, but if I use another DVD player, I can load to the iMovie.

As a benefit, I can edit whatever is loaded to the iMovie, add titles or do fade-ins or out or any other transition. In short, I can do anything to what is loaded to iMovie, even add music.

From the iMovie program, I burn directly to the Sharp RW2U, using its DV input.

With the DAC-100, I can also burn directly to the Sharp RW2U without using the computer.

I have a $2,000.00 TBC from the analog times but I don't use it as the PQ is excellent using the DAC-100.

Yvon

[sync]

The DataVideo DAC-100 doesn't remove macrovision. It just ignores it. That's good if you are copying to a PC however it is useless if you are copying to a DVD recorder.

WRONG!

With the DAC-100, I can also burn directly to the Sharp RW2U without using the computer.
Yvon

Are you saying you use the DAC-100 to record macrovision protected DVDs on a Sharp DVD recorder like this: DVD player > DAC-100 > DVD recorder?

[backspaces]

Yvon: I have the same question as Sync: can I use
VCR > DAC-100 > DVD Recorder
with the macrovision removed?

It turns out the Toshiba DVD Recorder (TiVo) unit I'm looking at has enough bells and whistles that I don't need an intermediate step of inputting to my Mac first for editing and so on. (The Toshiba even lets you store DVDs & VHS media on the HD for viewing, but will not let you then record from the HD to the DVD burner. Interesting decision/strategy by TiVo given the insanity in the media world.)

Thanks for all the responses, BTW.

Owen

[Yvon]

[/quote]
Are you saying you use the DAC-100 to record macrovision protected DVDs on a Sharp DVD recorder like this: DVD player > DAC-100 > DVD recorder?[/quote]

To "sync" and "backspaces":

Yes, exactly. I use a Toshiba DVD player, the output of which I feed along with the audio cable, to the DAC-100 through the "S" connector.

The DAC-100 output is fed to the Sharp RW2U DVD recorder through the DV (Firewire) cable.

The picture looks exactly like the original (thanks to the Superpicture option of the Sharp recorder. It should be the same converting a VHS tape to DV through the DAC-100, but you get VHS quality.

Remember: WYSIWYG

Yvon

[backspaces]

Great! This is way cool, 'cause I can get a two-fer .. backup my VHS tapes to DVD via a DVD Recorder/TiVo, and if I want to, input analog into my Mac. Certainly justifies the price, IMHO.

[Yvon]

.......... and if I want to, input analog into my Mac.

Correction:
What you input to your Mac is digital (analog converted to DV in the DAC-100 from Datavideo). Choose 16 bit audio on the DAC-100.

I do not know if other brands of DVD recorders would do the same, but Firewire being used either as input or output (it can be daisy-chained to dozens of apparatus using Firewire), my guess is it would also work.

I do not have another brand of DVD recorder, so I cannot verify.

Firewire is like myself: coming or going? That's what you think of when you are 80 years old.

Yvon

[backspaces]

Yes, good point .. I should have said input the converted digital from the analog video stream. Good catch.

[sync]

Are you saying you use the DAC-100 to record macrovision protected DVDs on a Sharp DVD recorder like this: DVD player > DAC-100 > DVD recorder?[/quote]

To "sync" and "backspaces":

Yes, exactly. I use a Toshiba DVD player, the output of which I feed along with the audio cable, to the DAC-100 through the "S" connector.

The DAC-100 output is fed to the Sharp RW2U DVD recorder through the DV (Firewire) cable.
Yvon[/quote]
The DAC-100 doesn't remove mv. I can only assume that the discs you copied this way didn't have mv.

[sync]

Yvon,
I thought about this some more and I think I may understand now how this works. By using firewire the mv signal is being digitally encoded so it can't be recognized by the dvd recorder. However, if you use either of the 2 analog video outputs on the DAC-100 the dvd recorder will recognize the mv and refuse to record.

I have the DAC-100 but my dvd recorder doesn't have firewire, so I can't test this.

[vhelp]

You *can* use the dac-100 for a pass-through feature for the purpose
of by-passing MV. But, you run the risk of including green line artifacts
into your captured AVI. I used to think this is yet, another alternative
to by-passing MV, but I after careful analysis of the video, I have
found that it adds these very thin and green lines, as if MV was still
there.. which it is, but is just being ignored in a way. This, IMHO, is
what is left over from the MV on such Commerical VHS tapes.
But.. I theories another area of these green lines origin. I believe that
they may come from (if not MV) as an artifact from the video OUT machinics.
Something that I can not explain at this time.

Either way, wheather ADVC / DAC / or other tv or video OUT feature, you
will have these green thin lines in your final captured AVI file.

-vhelp 3587

[Yvon]

............The DAC-100 doesn't remove mv. I can only assume that the discs you copied this way didn't have mv.

All the dscs I copied had mv.

Yvon

[Yvon]

Yvon,
I thought about this some more and I think I may understand now how this works. By using firewire the mv signal is being digitally encoded so it can't be recognized by the dvd recorder. However, if you use either of the 2 analog video outputs on the DAC-100 the dvd recorder will recognize the mv and refuse to record.

I have the DAC-100 but my dvd recorder doesn't have firewire, so I can't test this.

To: "sync":

Although I use the "S" INPUT of the DAC-100, I never use its composite or "S" video OUTPUTS as they are of inferior quality. Why use them when you can have the ultimate PQ with Firewire?

To vhelp:

I have never seen the thin green lines you mention. I wonder why people have such problems with their equipment. I have been in the video hobby starting with the Betamax, then VHS, then Hi8 and finally DV. I have always studied every aspect of video and long before Firewire finally was available, from my readings, I knew that Firewire was the way to go and acted accordingly.

I would never buy a DVD recorder that did not have Firewire.

Yvon

[seekninfo]

Whilst we are on the subject of DataVideo DAC-100, can someone tell if there are any differences between DAC-100 and DAC-10?

Thanks in advance for the answers...