MPEG 1-2-4 Real-time Capture Card.....NEW!!!

[DVWannaB]

Have anyone heard of this new product yet? It is the Plextor Digital Video Converter (or ConvertX). Saw it in my TigerDirect catalog a couple days ago. Apparently does real-time MPEG 1, 2 and 4. It was not clear on their website, but I summized that it does CBR 1500-6000 kbps. Uses USB 2.0 connection. Comes packaged with Intervideo WinDVD and WinDVD Creator. It is not yet available for purchase, but Plextor website has a pre-order for $180 and TechDepot has a pre-order of $168.

I asked to be notified when available, so I can test and report back. Everyone should do the same thing so we can get some good discussion and feedback on this board. Just remember, you can always send it back

[txpharoah]

It's not hardware based. Don't be fooled.

[DVWannaB]

tx,

How can you tell if it is or not hardware based? I know it was not specifically mentioned, but it is in a breakout box, which leads one to believe it is hardware based.

[harrymj3]

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX.html

On this link it clearly states "hardware encoder".

Seems like the coming trend and a good idea to me as someone else said in a recent post "time marches on".

harrymj3

[SHS]

txpharoah this is a Hardware encoder.

[leebo]

I only see hardware mpeg4 encoder mentioned:

" the world’s first hardware Full-D1 MPEG-4 encoder".


Though even if that turns out to be the case it will be interesting to see what kind of quality mpeg4 it can produce.

Also, mpeg2 only goes up to 6mbps, but thats fine for home video stuff.

[BJ_M]

Real-time MPEG-1/2/4 video capturing
Fast digital video conversion with hardware encoder

[leebo]

That does not specifically say hardware mpeg2 encoding. You have to be really carefull of the PR spin doctors these days.

Case in point: there is a discussion going on over at the Adobe Premiere Pro forum re Adobe's claim that Pro supports 5.1 audio.

Apparently the PR for Pro states:

""5.1 surround sound mixing is supported directly inside the mixer."
"Export to DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG1, MPEG2, full 5.1 channel AC-3, Real, all of the new Windows Media formats."


Turns out you have to purchase an addon for $299 to export AC3.


My point is, be sure b4 you buy.

[harrymj3]

Total Solution Features Real-time MPEG-1/2/4 video capturing
Fast digital video conversion with hardware encoder
MPEG-4 encoding allows you to create highly compressed video archives to save hard disk drive space
Video and audio synchronization
Hi-speed USB 2.0 connection enables high quality MPEG-2 or higher bit rate video capturing
Allows you to use your CD/DVD burner to create video CDs or DVDs and play them on most DVD player
Easy-to-use personal DVD or VCD video creation software
One-year full warranty (parts, labor or replacement)
Unlimited toll-free tech support

harrymj3

[leebo]

Well, it probably does.

But it still dosn't specifically say it does. It does not say "Hardware mpeg2 encoder".

I've been burned b4. I remember when the ATI AIW Radeon came out. They "implied" hardware mpeg2 encoding. It turned out to be software.
These companys prey on your excitement and impatience.

In my case, I'd wait until I confirmed it. On their web site it only specifically mentions hardware mpeg4 encoding.

[snowmoon]

I would have to concurr. The specs say that a PIII800 is required and P4 1.6 is recommended. Those specs cry out "SOFTWARE ENCODING IS HAPPENING" it may be accelerated to some extent, but some encoding is going on in the client side here you can be fairly sure.

I would hold off till people can really get a hold of what's going on here.

[txpharoah]

I remember when the ATI AIW Radeon came out. They "implied" hardware mpeg2 encoding. It turned out to be software.

It's actually hardware-assisted MPEG encoding. Not pure hardware or pure software. This MPEG1-2-4 card may be the same, but I highly doubt it to be pure hardware. It would have said so.

[buffalodrafter69]

Because I need an external capture card system for my computer and I do not have a lot of money I already ordered the Plextor.

Based on the great reputation the company has for quality products as well as it's cost and the ability to do mpeg-4..... it looks good.

The only downside is that it will not ship for two weeks.

[SHS]

Attn: You all
This actually hardware base MPEG encoding, I all ready talk Plextor about the ConvertX, I'm sorry can't you which MPEG encoding chip it has you know thoses NDA things so in tell one of you boys or girls get one you just have crack open the box to fine out.

snowmoon as for specs say that a PIII800 or higher is required this mpeg decoder

Now be you all start about the fact it using Intervideo WinDVD Creator this is a custom ver with a custom Plug-IN just like the one for the Adaptec VideOh! DVD Media Center PCI Edition AVC-2410 which come with Conexant CX23416 (iTVC16)

[txpharoah]

So what we have is a supposedly decent hardware card that uses crap software? How nice.

I'm still not buying it. I think it's software. Nothing has explicitly stated hardware, and I trust tech support on new products about as much as I trust asking the same question to my garbage man.

I don't think we'll know until somebody buys one and tests it. I'll keep my eyes out for demos.

[leebo]

Due to my own experiences, I agree.

As for the AIW being "hardware assisted", they didn't add enough "assist". The mpeg2 capture quality was crap.

[Bob W]

So do you have to use only the Intervideo WinDVD Creator software with this card? If so forget it as IMO anything from Intervideo is going to be borked.

[gmatov]

You’ll get all the advantages of the world’s first hardware Full-D1 MPEG-4 encoder, backed by unlimited toll-free technical support and one-year full warranty from a leading provider of high-performance digital media, Plextor.

The above is copy-paste from the link to Plextor, above.

What does "Full-D1" mean as applied to na MPEG4 file? As my MSI card captures at, I think, 264kbps, for MPEG4, I don't think that is going to make a full screen that is viewable. Or am I completely wrong?

[leebo]

I'm not an mpeg4 (or 1 or 2) expert, but I think D1 is usually considered to be 720X480. And that bit rate probably isn't half bad for mpeg4.

[gmatov]

leebo,
No, I just opened my app and checked. It's 320X240, 264 kbps total.

I don't think that is D1.

I know that on the 87 gig left on my cap drive, it says I can cap 275 more hours of MPEG-4.

Would that be D-1?

[SHS]

Yes leebo FullD1 is ref to 720x480(NTSC) or 576(PAL)

[BJ_M]

its really 720x486 but it really doesnt mater ...

[portrower8]

Has there been any new developments on this one?

[FOO]

OK where did the extra 6 come from ?

[SHS]

You can buy one rigth here
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=47&manufactory=13...tby=14&order=1

[portrower8]

I don't need to know where to buy one from -- I need to know reviews -- if it's any good compared to canopus advc 100.

[SHS]

Sorry portrower8 I don't know any one that has done a review of the Plextor ConvertX.

[The village idiot]

Fast digital video conversion with hardware encoder

Technically aren't all capture capture cards hardware encoders? After all, you have analog video, that you then encode to some form of digital video, even if it is uncompressed, or DV, or mpeg.

[FulciLives]

I'm not an mpeg4 (or 1 or 2) expert, but I think D1 is usually considered to be 720X480. And that bit rate probably isn't half bad for mpeg4.

MPEG-4 unlike MPEG-2 uses SQUARE PIXELS so generally speaking full screen for MPEG-4 is considered to be 640x480 vs the 720x480 we are used to with DVD MPEG-2

720x480 is not a SQUARE PIXEL 4:3 ratio.

From my readings on using DivX (an MPEG-4 codec) it would seem that 640x480 is much preferred over using 720x480

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[leebo]

Thank you, Fulci, for confirming that I'm not an mpeg4 expert.