a few Canopus ADVC-100 questions

[Atma]

I saw some info on this, and it would seem to be a good investment, but before i decide to dish out the cash for it (considering it's a somewhat pricy investment, at ~$500 AUD) I figured i'd ask a few questions on it:

1) I couldn't find any info about resolutions/modes that it records to (excluding it saying pal and ntsc compatible), so would someone be able to shed some light on this for me (eg. can it record 50Hz pal in colour and 60Hz pal/ntsc in colour aswell?)?

2) when recording from a game console, can you use the rca output jacks to output the display back to a tv or such to view what you would be recording?

3) what's the average file size per hour of recording, and which format does the file end up in?

I'd appreciate if anyone could fill me in on these, thanks.

[thecoalman]

1) I couldn't find any info about resolutions/modes that it records to (excluding it saying pal and ntsc compatible), so would someone be able to shed some light on this for me (eg. can it record 50Hz pal in colour and 60Hz pal/ntsc in colour aswell?)?

It converts analog to DV-AVI only, 720x480(or PAL equivalent) is the only resolution. It has very few options, there's 6 dipswitches on the back and that's it. There's a selection between NTSC/PAL(secam). I'm unfamiliar with PAL so I really don't know the second part.

2) when recording from a game console, can you use the rca output jacks to output the display back to a tv or such to view what you would be recording?

The only selection for input/ouput is the selction between DV or analog for input. There's no selection for what you output, I'm pretty sure all the outputs are hot even if you have simultaneous connections. So no matter what your source is 1394 or analog, you should be able to ouput either or both from it. Someone else can probably comfirm that, I've never had a reason to try it.

3) what's the average file size per hour of recording, and which format does the file end up in?

DV-AVI only as I mentioned above, 14gigs per hour.

[pippas]

I use the ADVC50, which has the same chipset as the 100, but not the analogue output, so I'll have a go at your questions.

1) The ADVC series are all just analogue to DV converters (and the reverse for the 100) - no other options - and support both NTSC and PAL. These are selected by switch settings.

2) Although I don't have that option on the 50, I believe you can on the 100

3) DV video requires about 13GB per hour, files end up as DV.avi format - no other options (eg MPEG2 etc) are available using the Canopus coverters.

I believe that the ADVC100 has now been superseded by the ADVC110, so buying the 100 will be buying 'old stock', and the price should reflect that fact, IMHO.

[thecoalman]

I believe that the ADVC100 has now been superseded by the ADVC110, so buying the 100 will be buying 'old stock', and the price should reflect that fact, IMHO.

There's very little difference between the 100 and 110. Biggest difference that I'm aware of is the 110 doesn't require external power supply if connected to a 6 pin firewire port.

BTW I mentioned 6 dipswitches above, that's for the 110. I believe there is only 5 on the 100. Not sure what's not included but it's probably minor.

[jimmalenko]

Welcome fellow Aussie !

FWIW I have an ADVC-100 and it is the best A/V device I've ever bought.

1) I couldn't find any info about resolutions/modes that it records to (excluding it saying pal and ntsc compatible), so would someone be able to shed some light on this for me (eg. can it record 50Hz pal in colour and 60Hz pal/ntsc in colour aswell?)?

It records either 720 x 576 @ 25fps or 720 x 480 @ 29.976fps. You control which one by a simple switch on the underside where you set either PAL or NTSC. I'm not "up" on the 50Hz/60Hz thing only to say it can capture either PAL or NTSC.

2) when recording from a game console, can you use the rca output jacks to output the display back to a tv or such to view what you would be recording?

Sure can. I have my cable TV box as well as my XBOX plugged into my VCR using RCAs, which outputs to my ADVC-100 via RCAs, which outputs to my PC via Firewire and also back to the TV via RCAs. So you can watch exactly what you're "capturing" on the PC on the TV at the same time.

3) what's the average file size per hour of recording, and which format does the file end up in?

25Mbps DV-AVI, which as I said before, is 720 x 576 25fps if PAL or 720 x 480 29.976fps if NTSC. Obviously you need a DV codec on your PC. The audio is 1536kbps PCM (WAV). All up you're looking at around 13GB per hour.


Hope this helps.

[Atma]

Welcome fellow Aussie !

FWIW I have an ADVC-100 and it is the best A/V device I've ever bought.

How much did it set you back? canopus' australian website says a RRP of around $600 for it x_x, which sort of makes me look towards the internet for purchasing it (i can't believe how bad australia is when it comes to hardware prices, it's disgusting, seems to go something like 'USA price*2').

It records either 720 x 576 @ 25fps or 720 x 480 @ 29.976fps. You control which one by a simple switch on the underside where you set either PAL or NTSC. I'm not "up" on the 50Hz/60Hz thing only to say it can capture either PAL or NTSC.

PAL60/NTSC = 60Hz, when i record on my current card i get horrid results unless i use NTSCM/J, which greyscales it, which doesn't make it look very nice. 50Hz is standard PAL format used (I'm not sure which XBOX outputs given that I have a gamecube, where in most games 60Hz is the preffered use option, and in all of my imports the only option).

Sure can. I have my cable TV box as well as my XBOX plugged into my VCR using RCAs, which outputs to my ADVC-100 via RCAs, which outputs to my PC via Firewire and also back to the TV via RCAs. So you can watch exactly what you're "capturing" on the PC on the TV at the same time.

Awesome, that's what i was hoping, as it would make things much simpler

25Mbps DV-AVI, which as I said before, is 720 x 576 25fps if PAL or 720 x 480 29.976fps if NTSC. Obviously you need a DV codec on your PC. The audio is 1536kbps PCM (WAV). All up you're looking at around 13GB per hour.

That seems like a good size given the resolution, not to mention the audio can be compressed even further.

Hope this helps.

it does indeed, thanks

[jimmalenko]

Welcome fellow Aussie !

FWIW I have an ADVC-100 and it is the best A/V device I've ever bought.

How much did it set you back? canopus' australian website says a RRP of around $600 for it x_x, which sort of makes me look towards the internet for purchasing it (i can't believe how bad australia is when it comes to hardware prices, it's disgusting, seems to go something like 'USA price*2').

Yeah, I hear ya. Makes me sick too

I got my for $530 (plus $15 shipping) from http://www.centrecom.com.au .

Hope this helps.

it does indeed, thanks

Excellent !

No problem

[thecoalman]

25Mbps DV-AVI, which as I said before, is 720 x 576 25fps if PAL or 720 x 480 29.976fps if NTSC. Obviously you need a DV codec on your PC. The audio is 1536kbps PCM (WAV). All up you're looking at around 13GB per hour.

That seems like a good size given the resolution, not to mention the audio can be compressed even further.

It's the same format that you would get from a Cam, either digital8 or mini DV. BTW a digital cam with pass-thru works similar to the ADVC. So if your main objective is to capture video and your in the market or may be in the market for a digital cam that's a option you may want to think about too.

[Atma]

It's the same format that you would get from a Cam, either digital8 or mini DV. BTW a digital cam with pass-thru works similar to the ADVC. So if your main objective is to capture video and your in the market or may be in the market for a digital cam that's a option you may want to think about too.

A digital camera is something i think I would find myself barely using at all, to which point I doubt it'd be a good investment.

---

Could I get a bit of clarification on whether or not the ADVC-100 can record colour NTSC (US/J) aswell as pal? it would seem it has a switch on it for PAL or NTSC, and another for US or J format. that is probably the most important thing i'm looking for.

[ZAPPER]

http://www.firewire-1394.com/canopus-advc-110.htm

Not an endorsement or anything, just the first thing I clicked on. Is there a power supply issue? And I don't know if the exchange rate works against you.

[thecoalman]

Is there a power supply issue?

the 110 doesn't require external power supply if connected to a 6 pin firewire port.

:P

[ZAPPER]

Is there a power supply issue?

the 110 doesn't require external power supply if connected to a 6 pin firewire port.

:P

I meant do US electronics and AUS electronics differ on line voltage and Hz? I mean even after a converter, I mean inside the guts? Oh never mind.

OK If he were to try to plug it into the wall with a power adapter would it fit?

And Is the voltage of over seas equipment that comes out of a fire wire the same on both sides of the pond?

(actually I assume it will work, but I have been wrong before) What I was really kind of wondering was about the cost for him to buy out of country

[Dragonsf]

I own a ADVC 300 and for NTSC conversion it needs NTSC input (US and J are ok) and for PAL it needs of course PAL. I can't see any difference between NTSC-J and NTSC, but PAL60 or PAL-M doesn't work.