ConvertX and other USB2 analog capture devices

[sej7278]

I'm looking at buying an analog capture device, I don't want a PCI solution as they usually are low bitrate (like WinTV PVR) or use software encoding, so get audio out of sync.

So I'm looking at these hardware encoders which basically take an analog feed, encode them to MPEG internally and then write them to your PC's hard disk.

I mostly want it for archiving TV shows to DVD (and maybe copying LaserDisc Star Wars to DVD!) and old analog video tapes, so only need to trim bits, not edit.

Has anyone got any views on this - I've seen a few comments on there in the forums, sumarised below. I am most interested in the ConvertX, but haven't seen any reviews and only a few places sell them (Newegg etc.)

I really want to know if the ConvertX does true hardware encoding to MPEG2, or if it's a partially software-based thing, it only actually says hardware MPEG4 encoding, and hardware MPEG2 "capture".

If I use a digital camcorder with analog passthru, what kind of bitrate would I get, or does bitrate not come into until you convert the DV to MPEG?

Plextor ConvertX - does MPEG4, only 6000Kbps, $173
http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX.html

ADS Instant DVD 2.0 - crappy software, overheating, does 8000Kbps, $135
http://www.adstech.com/products/USBAV702/intro/usb702intro.asp?pid=USBAV702

Adaptec VideOh! - new versions limited to 6000Kbps and crappy MyDVD software (not MovieMill/8K) $124
http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/proddetail.html?sess=no&prodkey=AVC-2200&cat=...e+and+Creation

Pinnacle Studio MovieBox USB - limited to Studio8 software, does 8000Kbps, $168
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1172&Langue_ID=2

[sej7278]

Come on folks, someone must have some info?!

What about a WinTV PVR350 - does that have the throughput for DVD quality MPEG2 @ 6000Kbps+ ?

[sej7278]

Anyone?

[Anonymous65]

The WinTV PVR 250 and 350 are hardware encoder cards that can do at least 10Mb/sec mpeg-2 video. No point of going over 8Mb/sec because you will not see any better video quality by doing so.