ADVC-100 vs DAC-100: Which is better?

[Tiki_Girl]

Hi Everyone!

I’m new to the world of computers, and I’ll probably sound like an idiot, but here goes...

I have a fairly new iMac (six months old) with a DVD burner and I want to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday with a DVD compilation of several clips taken from our home videos. (Almost all of our home movies are on VHS.)

My question is this:
Which is the better unit for converting VHS to DVD -- the Canopus ADVC-100 or the Synchotech DAC-100?

The ADVC-100 offers “locked audio support” and something else about higher resolution output to videotape (I can’t remember exactly what I read and I can’t find the web page with the info, unfortunately).

The DAC-100 is much cheaper, but I’m not sure if it offers the pass-through option. And I know that it doesn’t have the locked audio support.

Is the pass-through, higher resolution to video, and locked audio support all that important? If so, then the ADVC-100 is the clear choice. If not, then I’d probably be better off purchasing the DAC-100. (Why throw away money on computer equipment when I can go shopping for something special to wear for my boyfriend’s birthday?)

Anyone who knows about both the DAC-100 and the ADVC-100, please offer your input. Thank you very much!

[Bondiablo]

They are very similar and both can output to tape but the ADVC is better at dealing with old and poor quality tapes and the DAC can't capture B&W but the ADVC can. There are few other threads floating around that compare them and you can always read the comments in the Capture Card section. I'd say get the ADVC and probably the most special thing you could wear for you boyfriends birthday is nothing at all and that won't cost you anything... much.

PS: another, though even more expensive option, would be a DV cam with pass through but that could also make the birthday outfit even more special.

Edit: It seems the DAC actually can capture B&W in most instances, just not truly B&W sources like B&W security cameras so I guess the only advantages to the ADVC are the locked audio (which may not really be an issue with DV) and that it's better at dealing with very poor quality sources but the DAC is supposed to have slightly more natural colors and as you said, it's cheaper.

[Tiki_Girl]

Thanks, Bondiablo, for the info. Some of our videos aren’t all that good (low light or long-play recording speed, etc.); so I think I’m leaning toward the ADVC unit.

But in doing some more research I ran across a product called Formac. I wonder how that unit handles old tapes or B&W footage.

(And as for your suggestion of wearing just my birthday suit on my boyfriend’s birthday...well, what would I do with all that yummy whip cream I just bought?) :P

[Perro Grande]

Hi Tiki,

You may have already made a decision since the posting is now about 10 days old...

I had a similar decision to make recently -- ADVC100 vs. DAC100 vs. ATI, etc. The explicit purpose of the purchase was to convert some of my VHS tapes to DVD. Most of these tapes are, as you described, home made camcorder specials with a variety of lighting conditions, etc. Some of them run fairly long (kids music concerts, for example).

I went with the Canopus ADVC100, and am really glad I did. I consistently, without fail, get good quality, drop-free captures with audio properly in sync. It is nice to not have to worry about fixing audio sync problems later on. I can focus my attention on authoring the dvd, etc.

Hope this helps...

[zanos]

Just get yourself a used mini dv camcorder capable of analogue to dv pass thru. It's either the same price or cheaper!