Pyro A/V - How does it compare..?

[TheGame7]

I was about to purchase the Canopus ADVC-50...

However, I then discovered, on the Canopus Support Forums, that there is a black screen problem which occurs when using the product with Windows XP SP1.

This makes the product useless to me since I can not revert to a clean install of Windows XP as I have two 160GB HDDs.

The ADVC-100 is a possibility, however, this too has problems some say with Windows XP SP1, but it looks more likely to be a problem with Direct X 9.0...

This has lead to me having to look at a different product.

Pinnacle are out the question since I have read about many problems their products suffer, that leaves either the DAC-100 or the A/V Link.

The A/V Link is over £60 cheaper than the DAC-100 here in the UK.

I was wondering though:

i) unlike the DAC-100, does the A/V Link have Audio/Video Snyc as a definite feature?

ii) Does it disable Macrovision?

iii) What is its "capture" quality like? More natural like the DAC-100, or sharper colour like the ADVC-100? Is it identical to the VHSs playback?

iv) How does it handle older videos?

v) Does it need colour burst or can it do black and white videos?

[Coluph]

There appears to be a few different revisions of the Pyro A/V Link so some of this does definately depend on which version you have. I purchased mine today, and I have a Revision 'C' unit. What the difference is between the B and the C I do not know...if someone can explain I'd be curious to know what the difference is...

i) unlike the DAC-100, does the A/V Link have Audio/Video Snyc as a >definite feature?

The Revision B and C version of the unit definately has this. It is enabled or disabled via a miniswitch on the back of the unit...default of course is on.

>ii) Does it disable Macrovision?

I just got the unit today, but from what I can see, mine does not...this may be my VCR/Source though and I'm going to fiddle with it a little more. Running a store bought tape of Don Bluth's Thumbelina resulted in the video being quite dark at some points, and normal in others, so I am thinking this is an effect of macrovision I'm seeing. I used a stabilizer (via the little black box they sell at alot of electronic stores) and the picture seemed to brighten up and look normal. So I would say no, it does not defeat macrovision at this point...I'll post again if I find otherwise.


iii) What is its "capture" quality like? More natural like the DAC-100, or sharper colour like the ADVC-100? Is it identical to the VHSs playback?

I don't have the ADVC to compare to but the video looked more natural than saturated to my eye. Looked very close to the original.

iv) How does it handle older videos?

I am having a bit of a problem with it capturing from VHS right now...As I have only had a few minutes to play around with it (had to leave for work) I am not sure if it's a setting in my computer, or something else is the cause. I am getting the capture fine for awhile, suddenly get a burst of dropped frames, and then it continues...I've never used firewire before so I'm pretty green as to what this could be caused by. My firewire is an onboard Nvidia (Abit NF7S board) and this is the first time I have ever had anythign plugged into this connector.


v) Does it need colour burst or can it do black and white videos?[/quote]

I haven't tried this yet but will give it a try and post the results. I have a black and white laser disc of 'To Have or Have not' which I beleive is in black and white.

If anyone else has run into the burst of dropped frames thing, and knows a work around for it I'd be interested in hearing it. Will save me some time.

One thing the Pyro does have over the Canopus..at least the revision C unit, is a component video in/out on the back, and it does come with the Ulead Video Studio 7 LE. LE version but better than nothing at all.

[Tommyknocker]

Does it need colour burst or can it do black and white videos?

My capture from my A/V Link of Lilies of the Field (1963), United Artists

Also, remember to keep your capture hard drive defragged, and close all unused applications.

[Roundabout]

You can also check this thread out for some more (useful?) information:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=187207
and add whatever your experience is with this unit to that thread.

[dun4cheap]

Well I purchased my Pyro DV Link from circuit city for $110. The first one I had was rev. a and I had some dropped frames problems using studio 8 but it appeared to work fine in Ulead Media Studio 6 and 7. However, I retuerned it and ended up with a revision B. Now all is well, no dropped frames at all with Studio 8 or Ulead. I have captured both from DVD and VCR and have not had any problems with macrovision. The video quality seems to be as good as the original. I have also been using the DV to analog feature from Studio 8 which works well. All in all it was worth $110.


Revision A and B have different hardware FW, as for the C I was originally told that it was for pal systems, but I know some people in the states who have the C version. The audio is locked with the A version, and it is selectable on the B and C version. Hope that helps.