ADS Pyro AV Link...please respond if you have one

[vcdforme]

Video tape is notorious for dropping frames. Even though it may look ok
to the naked eye, its usually making all kinds of errors.
I had a Canopus ADVC 100 and returned it, thinking it was Canopus' fault.
I bought an ADS and had the same problem (with video tape).
I surmised after much reading that what I need was a TBC, but I didn't want
to shell out the money for that boring thing. Instead I bought a Panasonic
stand alone DVD burner, it has a TBC built in which you can use as a
pass-thru. Solved all of my problems.
So, in my opinion you get the benefits of a TBC, AND, can also burn a DVD
on the fly if you want to. Frankly I'm not all that impressed with the Panasonic E-50 (Samsung R-4000). The discs rarely play on any other machines. Still it's better than simply buying a boring dedicated TBC.
The Panasonic actually makes your video tape look BETTER!
If I could go backwards though, I'd probably check out the Phillips
Standalone instead.

Believe me, you need a TBC. I know it's a bummer, but it's the key
you're looking for.

hang in there.

[8trackkid]

Hi everyone,
Too bad people are having such bad luck with this unit. I have the dreaded revision A unit, but I've had only minor problems with it so far. I am now using Ulead VS7 instead of VS6 and it seems to be giving me less problems with occasional crashes, frame drops, etc.

The only real problems I have are with older tapes made on camcorders, where there is rolling and other garbage when the camera first starts. The Pyro Link does much better with even a slight TBC, as tapes played in my JVC VHS-C camcorder never have problems with drop/freeze.

However, other than the firewire and composite inputs, I think that I would of been better off getting an AIW card, as I still have to convert from AVI to MPEG with TMPGEnc. Plus, I really don't like the way DV codecs handle bright red colors. Thanks...

[themichael]

At least you got yours to work, my never did. The analog pass-thru worked as did the DV-in analog-out.

Called tech support. Here is the short version. Add plenty of "Please hold..."

Is the unit powered? -Yes (I now this sounds like a lame question but I have gotten into the habit if asking a lamer sound one -- Do you have electricity?)

Reboot your computer.

Is your source clean? - it's my DV camcorder analog output

Does VS see the av link? - no

Reinstall VS7. - I have the retail version.

Use the included one.
(Uninstall.Install.reboot)
-Still doesn't see it, neither does Premiere or VirtualDub

The problem is your computer...
- I've never had problems capturing analog or DV from my camcorder...

The problem is your tuner card.
- Hang on, I can remove it quick (no cover).
(card out. reboot)
Nope still can't see it.

Do you have access to another computer with firewire?
- No

Are you sure?
- (No I'm a lying sack of feces) Yes I'm sure

What about family or friends?
- (WTF! Now I am getting upset after an hour and I told you NO twice!)
No. Of my family, friends, and co-workers I am the only one that has a need for firewire. And I provide the tech support for those 20 people.

Are the switches in the right position?
-Yes

I'll give you an RMA number.

Now looking at at least two weeks without the link, out the $170 to buy it, and out the $20 to ship it back to be "looked at". This puts me out of the 14 day return policy where I bought it.

After 1.5 hours on the phone (mostly on hold), many reboots (after every step), having to install a lesser grade of software, being called a liar, and more than likely having to eat the $200 I spent on this thing, I will not be purchasing from ADS again.

[vcdforme]

Coluph,

Run down to your nearest BestBuy and get a Panasonic DVD recorder.
E-50. Take it home and use it to pass your video tapes thru and into
your ADS. It will clean up your tapes and eliminate your dropped frames.
I'm sure of it. If it doesn't work out, Best Buy will easily let you return it.
Dude, try it! Worked for me, never dropped another frame since.

good luck.

[themichael]

vcdforme:
I couldn't get the analog-to-DV or the DV-to-DV to work. The unit was bad.

Besides, I couldn't find a TBC listed anywhere in the system requirements or the set-up instructions or in the troubleshooting section. If one is required, why isn't it listed?

In other words, I have to spend another $200-500 to make a $150 item function like stateed on the box, in the manual, on the website? sounds like a scam to me.

[Coluph]

thanks for all the replies

Where I am now i ended up taking the pyro back...by the looks of it a TBC definately would fix it and give great results but like a few others have mentioned that it's not really worth the money...by the time you spend that much you're into the price of a decent set top dvd recorder.

Right now I've tried another ATI product. Frys electronics has the ATI Radeon 7500 All in Wonder AGP on sale for $89, OEM box. Grabbed one of these and will try it when I get home in a few days. If it doesn't work I needed a new video card anyway.

I saw a few examples of what the rage theatre chip can do and it looks pretty good so if the <$100 device will do the trick, I'll be happy.

As for Best Buy, none of those near me...but Future Shop has a nice Pioneer for about $600 that looks like it will do a nice job.