Change my Hauppauge for a...

[Caple]

Hey everyone.
After suffering with the drivers from my Hauppauge PVR-150 and a 4Gb+ Vista 64 machine I decided to buy another card, instead of waiting for Hauppauge to fix the drivers or drop my ram.
(I read this ram and 64bit problem on the Hauppauge UK forum)
But I really don't know what to get.
I'm using this card for some years and have no idea about new cards around there.

I have two options:
1 - buy another capture card
2 - buy a miniDV camcorder with passthrough

If buying a card is the best option (and I know I will not film anything with the camcorder), can anyone suggest a good card?
I couldn't find cards that work on the brazilian digital system (ISDB-TB - http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISDB-TB, originated from the japanese system ISDB - http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISDB). It's not here on the south yet, but it would be nice to be ready. Not required though.
Also hardware encoding for analog input would be good. Required
PAL-M is required too.

I'm considering also the Canopus ADVC110 and the ADS Pyro. If I buy one of these I need to figure out how to schedule recordings, as I will need from time to time.

If going the camcorder way is the best option (even losing the schedule recordings) what would be the cheapest camcorder with passthrough?

As you can see I have no idea what to get
So, ANY input is very welcome.

Thanx.

[Caple]

Anyone?
The ISDB thing is not really important. I just need to find a card that will work ok on Vista 64 with 4Gb and with hardware encoder.
Don't need a tuner either, as I tune the channels using my VCR and its svideo out.

[lordsmurf]

I would maybe look at the camera. Canon has a lot of cheap models now, about $150-250. Not sure which ones have pass-through. At one point in time, virtually all Canon ZR-series models had it. Maybe it still is that way?

[Caple]

Camera would be my last option, for two reasons:
1 - I know I will not film anything, would use it just for capturing.
2 - Need schedule recordings.

Man, I would love Hauppauge even more if they decided to fix the drivers (even they saying that its Microsoft's problem) :/

Right now the easiest cards to get are Encore (don't want it), Pixelview (don't want it), Pinnacle (MAYBE, if anyone tell me a REAL GOOD card they make) and ADVC110 (more inclined to this one, using Scenalyzer to schedule recordings).

I can also get any card you can find on the US, but I will pay the double price and wait about 3 weeks to get it (and I HATE waiting). Will do it if the cards mentioned above don't suit my needs.

[jagabo]

Man, I would love Hauppauge even more if they decided to fix the drivers (even they saying that its Microsoft's problem) :/

Given how long it took them to fix the XP drivers for the PVR-150 (over a year) I doubt there are any programmers left at Hauppauge who know anything about the hardware or video. Probably all they have are a few junior level programmers who tweak the basic drivers from the chipset manufacturers. And they even screw that up.

[Caple]

Yeah, I know they will not fix it.
Someone at the Hauupauge UK forum posted an email answer where they say it's not their fault, but a problem on Microsoft driver architecture (something like this). That means they will not do anything.
What about your HD PVR? Liking it?

[jagabo]

What about your HD PVR? Liking it?

Yeah, it has all the usual signs of Hauppauge not knowing what they're doing. But at least it captures and I've worked out how to deal with the files it creates. I managed to IVTC a 1080i cap of 2001 A Space Odyssey to 1080p24 last week!

[Caple]

Cool.
I was looking at the Pinnacle devices and found this one:
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+...Board+Plus.htm

Can't find detailed reviews about it.
But the part where it says: "Compression: MPEG-2, MPEG-1, DV, MJPEG (User selectable. Available real-time capture formats depend on CPU speed.)" tells me it's not hardware encoder. Right?

[jagabo]

Yes, since they don't mention any hardware compression and do mention "depends on CPU speed" I would assume it captures raw YUV and compresses with software. It also has firewire input.

[Caple]

Well, seems like Pinnacle still suck!

[jagabo]

Well, there is one big advantage to raw YUV capture: You can save with no, or lossless, compression. If you need to perform a lot of filtering that will get you the best quality to start with.

[Caple]

I prefer hardware encoder cause I use the computer for everything. It's not dedicated to capture and edit videos.
So hardware encoder would be better.
Still inclined to ADVC110, but would have to pay about US$ 400.00 for it.
Still looking for other options though

[Caple]

What the hell...
Ordered the ADVC110. Will pay around US$ 380.00 for it.
Can't get anything good for a decent price.
Hope it will work ok.
Will receive it next week, around wednesday.

[Caple]

Out of stock!
I'm I cursed or what?
Damn!

[jagabo]

Ordered the ADVC110. Will pay around US$ 380.00 for it.
Can't get anything good for a decent price.

Out of stock!
I'm I cursed or what?
Damn!

Newegg: US$230:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814144214

And the ADVC55 for US$200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814144217

Oh, I guess they won't ship to Brazil.

[Caple]

Yep, they don't ship.
I can find people who import stuff from the US, but I need something cheaper, like the ADSTech Pyro.
But I found a good price only on Videoguys, and this guy that imports doesn't buy from them.
Still looking for other options.
Pinnacle Dazzle Video Creator Platinum looked good, but there is no Vista 64 driver.