What else do I need for VHS->DVD with Canopus ADVC-100?

[newbee51]

I've read all kinds of things on this, but I'm either far too dumb to understand it all or I've never found anything that really spells things out for a completely neophyte like myself.

Based on favorable reviews and such, I'm probably going to buy the Canopus ADVC-100 external, standalone A->D converter.

I was thinking about the ADVC-50, but it seems that I would have to buy additional hardware (say, a DVRaptor RT2 Max or some other OHCI/DV capture card (whatever that exactly means). It also seems I would have to buy some capturing software as well (or capture into some freeware capture program like Virtual Dub??)

So assuming I'm going to buy the Canopus ADVC-100...

Question 1a: Assuming I already have a Firewire interface to my computer, do I need to buy any additional hardware in order to use the ADVC-100? (1b): I understand I don't need a particularly fast CPU using that unit, since all the work is done in the Canopus, right? (1c): I probably want to use Win2K or XP so that I can use NTFS for it's huge file-size limit, right? (4G files under say, Win98SE can't hold even a half-hour of raw output from the ADVC-100, right?)


Question 2: Do I have to buy or obtain any additional software, such as a capture program (like Virtual Dub?) just to create an MPEG-2 file? If so, why? It seems to me that Canopus is saying that the ADVC-100 will, all by itself, store a finished MPEG-2 file on my hard drive with no software necessary at all. Have I misunderstood?


Question 3: I already own M2-Edit Pro (v 4). (3a): That's all I'll need to edit the MPEG-2 file that the ADVC-100 will put on my hard drive, right? (3b): I won't need to do any stream joining or splitting or anything like that, right? (3c): Am I right in understanding that this step is the only one that demands a lot of CPU speed?


Question 4: What about copy protection schemes such as macrovision? It seems from what I've read that the ADVC-100 will flat-out not process anything with copy protection. BUT I've also read that the ADVC-100 WILL work and removes the effects of copy protection (or at least macrovision). Which is true? If the Canopus doesn't do this, what are my other options?


Question 5: I'm thinking of buying the NEC CD-2500A DVD writer. Is that a good choice? Will I need any software beyond what will probably come with that to create a DVD of what I've captured from the Canopus box?


Question 6: What follows is my guess as to how to go from VHS to a menuless DVD using the Canopus ADVC-100...

1) Connect VHS VCR (using 3 RCA jacks or, preferably, 2 RCAs for audio and a S/VHS cable) to Canopus box.

2) Play the VHS tape (I don't see any "start" or "end" buttons on the Canopus box. How will I start and end the capture process?)

3) Open the typically very large MPEG-2 output file that will now exist on my hard drive with M2-Edit Pro (assuming there's any commercials to remove or other such simple editing tasks). Save any changes.

4) Launch the DVD-creation software that came with the DVD drive, load the MPEG-2 file from above, and save it to DVD.

(Q 6a): there any absolutely necessary steps I left out? (6b): Are there any additional steps that I probably should perform even if they're not absolutely necessary?


I know I'm asking a lot of your time and patience, but I will be extremely grateful for any and all help I can get. Thank you all!

[Will Hay]

I would quote your questions and respond individually but it's ben a long day and I'm too tired

The ADVC-50 is the same as the ADVC-100 but internal.
The only difference is the proceedure for circumventing macrovision is different and you can't output back to tape.
No other hardware is required other than your source (VCR, camcorder etc.) and a firewire card.

You will need software to transfer the data, DVIO is perfectly good and free.
I use Pinnacle Srudio 8 but can recommend Scenylser too.

I'd recommend WinXP, it's been flawless for me and like you say you need to watch for the 4gb FAT32 file limit.
DV runs at circa. 13gb per hour.

Question 6...
1) Yes
2) You use the start and stop within your 'capture' software
3) The file is avi, not mpeg2

You missed the encoding to mpeg2, and then, as you say, the authoring software to convert to a complainat DVD stream.

Did I miss anything?
Will Hay

EDIT.
Yes, I did miss something, but I touched on it briefly.
You seem to be under the illusion the ADVC will output an mpeg2 file.
It doesn't, it converts an analogue signal to a DV signal and outputs to your HDD as an avi file.
You then need to process this file to an mpeg2 file (which is DVD compliant) with something like TMPGEnc Plus and then author this (with something like Ulead Movie Factory or TMPGEnc Author) to create the files necessary for burning to a DVD-r.
Then you need a burning program such as RecordNowMax.
You can use the ADVC to output a mpeg2 file.
To do this you'll need to use something liek MainConcept mpeg encoder (v1.4).
I'm trying this out now (you can trial it unlimited number of times) but whilst I'm happy with the quality the best option if quality is vital is...

VHS > ADVC-100 > Firewire = 1GB one hour avi file

1GB one hour avi file > TMPGEnc Plus at 352x576 (PAL, VHS source) 4000CBR Bitrate = circa. 2GB mpeg2 file

2GB mpeg2 file > TMPGEnc Author = DVD compliant folders with menus and chapters

DVD compliant folders > RecordNowMax = DVD of your VHS source.

Clear?
Good, now read the guides on the right of your screen, it'll all make sense
Will Hay