NEW ADS USB Instant DVD 2.0

[harrymj3]

ADS USB Instant DVD 2.0. If this product actually does what it says it will be the best yet. 169.00 usd at Meritline. The specs are perfect (if it actually works) and comes with nice software package. Has anybody tried it? ............ harrymj3

[dcsos]

We know fire wire is better for capturing VIDEO up to 3.6MEGABITS a second, but look this DEVICE can do MUCH better

Capture DVD (MPEG-2) at video bit rates from 2 Mb/sec. up to* 15 Mb/sec.

If this works..Soneone please post
Remember, FIREWIRE protocol limits you to capturing DV over the wire
This one allows you to capture in MPEG-2 diectly (not for editing later)
also, If you have one, can you also capture to MJEG with this DEVICE?
(avi on harddrive instead on .mpg)

*by the way oVER the WKND. the new york times
did a piece by Dave Pogue that examines how this "UP TO" phrase is the most evil-marketspeak in the history of advertising

[Metaluna]

I have a friend who has the Instant DVD 1.0, and while he likes it, he claims that it only works with a couple of capture programs that have been specifically patched to support it. On the other hand, he's a little bit on the clueless side when it comes to computer stuff, so I'm skeptical.

Is there a standard WDM capture driver for the Instant DVD 2.0? How do you control the bitrate and other settings (e.g. control panel applet, tray control, or does the app have to support it)? Does it do noise filtering in hardware?

[rumplestiltskin]

I own the USB Instant DVD USB1.1 version ($90 at tigerdirect.com). I'm very happy with the unit. One thing I tried (like an idiot) was updating the (v1.0) software to the latest updates available free at the ADS website. This immediately rendered SVCD captures unusable in NERO and every other program (I use a Mac, as well, and the files, whch had been usable in programs like VCD Builder, were now crapola.) Close examination of the captured files revealed that they were "overstuffed" with data; too high a capture rate. Editing the files in the (proprietary) software accompanying the package (also updated) seemed to strip out the extra kbps and I could now build VCDs. However, SVCDs remained impossible. I de-installed everything and reinstalled from the original v1.0 CDs. This restored complete functionality/compatibility to any newly captured mpeg1/2 files.

I do not know whether the new USB2 version of this product has eliminated SVCD capability but I would not be surprised as I had anopportunity to play with the new Mac version of this package. It, also, uses extremely proprietary file structures and, even though the ADS webpage on this product claims that you can make SVCDs with it, the docs and pdf posted there leave out any reference to SVCD and, in fact, the package will not produce any kind of mpeg2 that can be used for SVCD creation. In addition, all captured files are incompatible with VCD Builder. The product should be purchsed for two reasons only:

1. VCD capture/editing/imaging using the proprietary software included with the package. You burn the disc with Toast or another package capable of burning VCDs (that you must provide).

2. DVD creation with an external burner. The package includes a program that sorta/kinda works like iDVD. Like the dancing mule, the wonder is not how well it dances but that it dances at all.

If you want SVCD or want to take your captured files into other programs (PC or Mac), buy the USB Instant DVD for PC.

Ciao! ('')

[inspector77]

helo rumplestiltskin:

you know if asd instant dvd for win & mac are the same hardware
with diferent software?? or are diferent machines??


regards

[BigGoof]

Look at the link below. It has information on the ADS iDVD version 1 and 2. I have 1 and it works for me but v2 sounds great.

http://pub9.ezboard.com/fpyro1394frm8

HTH

[mtgoat]

I have a friend who has the Instant DVD 1.0, and while he likes it, he claims that it only works with a couple of capture programs that have been specifically patched to support it.

This is true. It captures only with a proprietary capture program and a version of Ulead Videostudio that is patched to work with it. Both are bundled with the unit.

It, also, uses extremely proprietary file structures and, even though the ADS webpage on this product claims that you can make SVCDs with it, the docs and pdf posted there leave out any reference to SVCD and, in fact, the package will not produce any kind of mpeg2 that can be used for SVCD creation. In addition, all captured files are incompatible with VCD Builder.

Better picture quality and file compatibility can be had by capturing in DVD mpeg-2 and re-encoding to VCD/SVCD with TMPGEnc.

BTW, my USB Instant DVD 2.0 is for sale as I have upgraded. Send PM if interested.

[rumplestiltskin]

While the ADS Instant DVD v1.0 is proprietary in its capture programs, it still produces mpeg2 for SVCD quite well. While there's lots of "freeware" and open source available, I prefer not to waste my time trying to get it all to work consistently. Hence, from analog sources, the ADS v1.0 does the job and does it with a minimum of hacks to my system.

As far as the "v2.0" ADS Instant DVD goes, I'd stay clear of it.

By the way, don't bother updating your v1.0 software as it eliminates the mpeg2 for SVCD feature.

[next]

While the ADS Instant DVD v1.0 is proprietary in its capture programs, it still produces mpeg2 for SVCD quite well. While there's lots of "freeware" and open source available, I prefer not to waste my time trying to get it all to work consistently. Hence, from analog sources, the ADS v1.0 does the job and does it with a minimum of hacks to my system.

As far as the "v2.0" ADS Instant DVD goes, I'd stay clear of it.

By the way, don't bother updating your v1.0 software as it eliminates the mpeg2 for SVCD feature.

Makes sense.