Comments on Video Blaster? (I've already got it, but...)

[fuzzyPic]

So, yesterday I've decided to convert my VHS tapes into VCD's. I walked into Fry's and bought the Video Blaster Moviemaker, just because it said on the box it did VCD's.
I know I could've got something cheaper and do the conversion some other way, but, hey I can always take it back. So far, it does what it claims.
However, as I was looking for info or reviews on this thing, there is almost nothing can be found.
So, I was wondering if anybody here had any experience with it and would recommend maybe exchanging it for something else or anything else informative.
My current plans focus on VHS conversion, for which VCD format will do as MPEG2 or S-VCD can't possibly improve on the quality, but later I might decide store some Tivo-d programs on DVD or S-VCD.

[SHS]

In case you would you have been better off gettong WinTV-PVR USB quality is better how ever PCI is better in the long run.

[vhelp]

fuzzyPic,

Yes, SHS's advise is a good one. Though the USB is a bit sluggish, you get use to it and learn to work around it. I've ben using it for a about a month or so and I have NO rigrets! It's quality is really good and I have a reg. hack to ajust the Mbits to any setting. I'm going to post it on my dcsamples site (see link below) real soon. Soon as I finish some more chores on my first pc and get things together there and over here on this 2nd pc.
Anyways, you'll defenately appreciate the quality that the PVR brings. I don't know what the PCI's quality is like, but I'll assume just as good or better! With the PCI version, you have the option to cap in
* MPEG1/2 - (no need to encode to mepg, but may have to MUX your audio with this card for CD) or...
* AVI (need to encode to mpeg ie, TMPG or CCE, etc.)

Womble is great for cutting out commercials and cutting or joining clips together. I found out through using Wombes (MPEG2VCR) that you don't have to MUX your audio, just drag your cut clips over to Nero and burn. Video plays perfectly.
So, the PVR (usb) and Womble work great together. I can do a 1 hour capture project (cutting comm. out) in 5,10 or 15 minutes and burn to CD. Feels really good, in comparison to those many AVI caps and later, encoding to mpeg with TMPG etc. It's a breth of fresh air, I guess. BUT nothing beats a good AVI capture and encode to SVCD. NOTHING!
DVD backups with the PVR (my usb model) is great. Quality is very good on all the ones I've done so far. Unfortunately, I have not done a comlete VHS capture to my PVR yet. I wanted to do my new
Star Wars movie from VHS, but I haven't found the time to do it.
Just remember one thing though,... When you doing your VHS dups to PVR or whatever capture device, DO NOT CONSTATLY FF/RW to a scene to test which is the best quality cap... be it 5 seconds or 1 minute worth. I've done this, and now, there's a couple of scenes where I (and you'll) see some degration, due to the stretching going on when you FF/RW too many times. Now, it's permanent. So, the best thing I can suggest for you, is to find a VHS that you don't really need, but hasn't gone though your VCR yet, and use that (if you don't really need it) as your test. Or, go out and buy a couple of cheap $5 VHS movie and test with those BEFORE you start your VHS endevors! And, Good Luck!!

Oh, and the PVR is Macrovision Free!!

My guess is that you probably would like to see some results before buying this PVR. Try and do a search with search engines. Maybe you'll come up with one or two links. But, in any case, if I could, I'd post at least ONE sample on my samples site. So, in the mean time, just keep doing your research till you find what you're looking for - if you can find the time, that is.


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DC10+ Samples to taste (some Hauppauge too)

[SHS]

vhelp have you been to my new web site now that that back online?.
http://shstvpvr.150m.com/
You may fine some there for your WinTV-PVR check out the news page.

[vhelp]

Shs's, I'll go and check it out right now!

I'll post any comments, K?