Capturing Analog Video: Device Options (Survey/Questions)

[SHVideo]

I'm putting together a simple, inexpensive system for capturing VHS & Hi-8 video into
an Adobe Premiere Elements project. Obviously, with the lower cost devices, realtime, render-free editing/effects/previews are not available as they would be with a Matrox RT.X2 system.

These are the devices I'm considering. I'd like to hear what others are using (Pro's & Con's).
As you can see below, another option is simply to use my Canon XL2 to convert into DV.
I'd like to hear what limitations this may have compared to capture cards & converters.


1) Canopus ADVC-110 ($220)
Converter Box (6-Pin Firewire Power), Bi-directional, AVI capture,
A/V sync,Frt & Rr RCA, S-Video I/O, No Drivers or S/W req'd.

2) Canopus ADVC-300 ($440)
Converter Box (Firewire), Bi-directional, AVI capture,
Image enahancement,Time Base Corrector (TBC), A/V sync, PwrSupply,
RCA/S-Video/Component I/O

3) ADS Pyro A/V Link w/Adobe Elements 3.0 ($144)
Converter Box (Firewire), PwrSupply, AVI capture, RCA, S-Video I/O

4) Pinnacle Studio MovieBoard Plus ($149)
PCI Card + BreakOut Box w/RCA, S-Video 6-Pin Firewire I/O,
AVI, MPEG capture, Studio Plus Titanium Editing Software

6) Canon XL2
Convert Analog A/V to Digital and output to PC via Firewire
AVI format

Thanks!

[edDV]

Are you saying you have access to or have familiarity with the Matrox RT.X2 system? Why not use that?

#6 Works but has the 7.5-100 NTSC to 32-235 or 32 to 255 digital level shift issues (aka whiteout) for NTSC VHS and Hi8. This can be fixed with digital domain levels filters. The ADVC 110/300 transcoders have the "magic" 7.5 IRE switch.
http://pro.jvc.com/pro/attributes/prodv/clips/blacksetup/JVC_DEMO.swf

#1, #2, #3 will work. Still not sure if #3 has the 7.5 IRE switch. The #2 line TBC/DNR may not be good enough for VHS. A field or frame sync may be better. Hi8 usually plays with much less timebase jitter. Maybe that is just my camcorders.

#4 ? Consider the history of this firm. Google is your friend. Or just visit their support forums.

[SHVideo]

One other item I forgot to mention.

I have a Panasonic 1970-AG VCR that I will be playing the VCR tapes through. I believe this has TBC. This would then connect to a capture device (or the Canon XL2).

As for my Hi-8 Tapes, I have a Sony EVC-100 Deck. Not sure if this has TBC. Also would route this through the XL2 (or capture device).

Most say the Pyro is best (for the money) although, not as durable as the Canopus ADVC-110. Other than how well it's built, does the Canopus offer any advantage over the Pyro?

Would this set-up present any problems,or is it over-kill; redundant:

VHS -to- AVI
Play in Panasonic 1970-AG
out to XL2 Camera (S-Video)
From the XL2 into PC Firewire... then to Adobe Premiere for editing.
Would a separate Converter (Pyro or Canopus) offer any advantage to this set-up or...degradation?

HI-8 Process would be the same except for playing thru Sony EVC-100.


edDV: The JVC Video on Black Setup (7.5 IRE) was very helpful.
Based on this info, would I have problems w/above scenarios?
If ADVC-110/300 has the IRE Switch, will this 'correct' the Level issue from the XL2 and/or Panasonic 1970-AG?

Thanks very much for the responses!

John
jds14@dcx.com

[buttzilla]

I would stay away from the Pinnacle software and device. I bought pinnacle Moviebox and it software is so buggy and unreliable. And their support sucks. I'm looking for something new to replace it now.

[edDV]

Your connection scenario looks typical.

I haven't used the Pyro. I don't know if it has the setup switch or if it defaults to 7.5 IRE (digital level 16) when in NTSC mode. That would be OK since mine is always switched to 7.5 IRE. The setup compensation is necessary. See these samples. Level 32 black (aka washout) is on the left, 16 black is on the right.







These may appear dark on a computer monitor. Put them on a DVD and look at a TV.


DV format sample
ne-levels.avi

[themaster1]

What is this software edDV ?

____________________
I suggest canopus devices even if i never tested one myself but i know this is a serious company
The more important about a capture card is:
a: does it got a 2d comb filter(the newest tend to)
b: does it got an input for audio preferably "real" stereo(left/right channels) (not mono)
c: the chipset, the philips one(can't remember the precise code for it : SAA...) being what you must look for

I also suggest canopus pro coder 2 to encode you files in mpg( i use this software) far better than tmpgenc and many others (use "mastering quality to encode")

And finally i suggest of course a good JVC or Panasonic s-vhs vcr with a built-in tbc/dnr with some good/short wires

[edDV]

What is this software edDV ?

Sony Vegas 6d

Capture was from a Motorola DCT-6200 HD cable box S-Video out to Canopus ADVC-100.