Canopus ADVC100 vs cheap USB video grabber?

[jagabo]

The best tool would be AviSynth, a (text) script based, filtering system. That's not easy to use and has a steep learning curve. Something easier, with a GUI, though not quite as effective, would be VirtualDub.

[mrsark87]

May I add a question here as some of these relates to me. I've read and studied and want to start capturing. I have a laptop with windows 8 that I would like to use because I can just leave it set up and not use it for anything else. It has a usb3 port. I have the advc 110 that I bought several years ago. Problem with it is the pc not accepting the firewire. So, I suppose one option is installing a firewire port. I also bought the ATI 600 usb but the pc won't recognize it as a capture device. I am using Adobe Premier to capture. So I guess my question is, whether to install a firewire to use the ADVC or order a new usb capture. It looks like the Diamond vc500 might be their latest version and someone mentioned liking the Haupauge USB Live2. Thanks.

[smrpix]

I have the advc 110 that I bought several years ago. Problem with it is the pc not accepting the firewire. So, I suppose one option is installing a firewire port. I also bought the ATI 600 usb but the pc won't recognize it as a capture device.

What's your source material? If your material is DV, please read the very first sentence of the very first reply to this thread. You need the firewire card.

[mrsark87]

Source is JVC VCR with vhs tapes. Coming out of that with s video cable. Did that tell you what you needed to know?

[jagabo]

I also bought the ATI 600 usb but the pc won't recognize it as a capture device.

I've heard of people using those with Win8:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/ati-tv-wonder-600-...a8b076c?page=2

install a firewire to use the ADVC

You have an Express Card or PC Card slot? Firewire to USB adapters won't work.

[smrpix]

Yeah, basically the advice remains the same. The variability in recordings and deck quality make it a tossup between getting a decent Hauppauge card or getting a firewire card and using the ADVC. The only way to know, in any given situation, is to try both -- I know that's not the answer you're looking for.

[usually_quiet]

I also bought the ATI 600 usb but the pc won't recognize it as a capture device.

If you want help with that problem, I have some questions.

What OS are you using? Windows 8 or 8.1?

What do you mean by "the PC won't recognize it as a capture device"? Windows 8/8.1 did not find the drivers automatically? You installed drivers but the device doesn't show up in Device Manager under "Sound video and Game Controllers"? Device Manager indicates the drivers installed and the device is working but your capture software can't find it? If so which software?

I have been able to get the the ATI 600 usb work with Windows 8.1 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit and Windows 7 32-bit and a few different capture programs. I'm not going to tell you it was plug and play. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 did not find the drivers. I installed them manually. I did not use the software or drivers from the installation disk either. I used third-party software and downloaded drivers from Diamond's website. Different drivers seemed to work better with the different OS versions.

[mrsark87]

I do not know if I have a slot for a firewire card, was just checking on that option. I have read that the adapters don't work, which I was glad to learn before I ordered one.

Operating system, not absolutely sure, I know it's 8, have not upgraded, though I know there is one and I need to do that. (I do have another laptop that is older but runs slow. But, I could use it if I had to). I have several large external drives which I will save to.

What I meant when I said "pc won't recognize as capture" was that when I run Adobe premier and try to capture it just says, no capture device detected. I tried downloading drivers, having windows look for drivers, etc. It actually says in my control panel that it's working properly, but the adobe software does not recognize it. I'm just frustrated and want to get something going that works. I don't mind buying something, just need to know what to buy that will give me the best results of what I have available to me.

[mrsark87]

I just checked and my OS is windows 8.1. Thanks for the help!!

[usually_quiet]

I don't have Adobe Premier, so I can't say if the following applies to it, but some video editors only work with FireWire-connected devices, like a DV camera, HDV camera or an ADVC 110.

If you have VLC, you can test with it to find out if the ATI TV Wonder 600 USB 2.0 is working and the drivers are installed correctly. Setup is easy.

Plug the the ATI TV Wonder 600 USB 2.0 into your PC and connect it to a A/V source using composite A/V cables, then open VLC.

Media-> Open Capture Device
Capture mode = DirectShow
Video device name = ATI TV Wonder 600 USB 2.0
Audio device name = WDM 2883 Audio
Video size = 720x480
Click "Play"

If you get static, do the following in addition to the steps above:
Media-> Open Capture Device
Click "Advanced Options"
Aspect ratio = 4:3
Video input pin =1
Video output pin = 0
Audio input pin = 4
Audio output pin = 1
Click "OK"
Click "Play"