Switching to Canopus ADVC-100 - A few general questions.

[ChachiFace]

I'm currently using a Dazzle DVC-150 which captures the footage as MPEGII. I'd like to try using the Canopus ADVC-100 to capture as DV, I hear the quality after editing is much cleaner. Here are a few questions:

Is my system fast enough for DV? (Sony Vaio, Intel P4 2.4Ghz, 512 Mb RAM PC2700, 80Gb HD).

If I edit a raw captured DV file with Ulead VS7, do I save as "same as project settins" then re-encode to MPEGII with TMPGEnc? Or, do I edit with Ulead VS7 and save as MPEGII?

Does the Canopus ADVC-100 come with software for capture? Or do you capture with another software? Will Ulead VS7 capture with the ADVC-100?

The main reason I want to go from the Dazzle to the Canopus is because I want a clean DVD (MPEGII file) after editing. Since Dazzle captures as MPEGII, after the file is edited the final footage is not as clean as the original capture. I hear capturing and editing an AVI file then re-encoding to MPEGII will solve this problem. Is this correct?

Any advice is appreciated.

ChachiFace

[lordsmurf]

I capture AVI when I edit, or MPEG2 when I convert. The AVI is better to edit with and quality is better in the end (but only when editing). Not good to edit an MPEG file. But why buy another card? Just capture AVI with that Dazzle.

[ChachiFace]

Thanks for the response lordsmurf.

I don't believe you can capture AVI or DV with the Dazzle DVC-150. It's only recognized by 2 programs - Movie Star 5 and the DVXCEL Test Utility which both capture as MPEGII.

[Marco33]

I was a HUGE (you know... Big) fan of capturing straight to MPEG2. I mean... it needs to be MPEG2 when I need to auther it to DVD... right?

"I have seen the light"

Believe me when I tell you... AVI is the way to go. The capture quality is a kajillion times better. AVI to MPEG2 is better than MPEG2 to MPEG2.

I don't have the Canopus but I do have the DAC-100. Same type of unit but cost effective. I can say this... The Force is Strong with this one and should be even stronger with the Canopus.

The DAC does have a hard time with old (very used) VHS tapes. Don't know why but that place is strong with the DARK side of the force.