Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge Capture problems

[Deathwish]

I recently purchased a Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge (Analog to Digital converter). One of the reasons I purchased it was because I already have a firewire port on my computer which I have been using to download DV from my Sony Digital8 camcorder and I read a review on ZDnet saying that the hardware was well worth the price. After purchseing it I found that j&r.com sells a Sony Analog to Digital converter for about the same price. I definately reccomend going with Sony after working with the Dazzle product.

Although there are many Video and audio quality issue, my main problem is that When capturing a movie to my computer, the top of the screen will start to appear on the bottm! It is really annoying & although it only starts out as a sliver, it increases sometimes up to 1/8 of the screen.

Can anyone help?

(BTW, obviously I will never invest or recommend a Dazzle product again. That was ~$300 down the drain. I'll prob end up buy the Sony anyway b/c of this & other quality issues)

[Deathwish]

OK, I read a review at:
http://www.insanely-great.com/reviews/dazzle.html

which adressed the problem. The author claims that the problem was resolved for him by re-cycling through the 3 different modes of the DV-Bridge before capturing. Although this is a tmeporary fix it only lasts for ~15 minutes at best before the Horizontal sync goes out of sync again.

The author did mention that he didn't notice the problem while using the S-video connection. I need a new VCR anyway so I'm off to purchase a SVHS model this time. I hope this cures the problem or it's another $350 for the Sony DVMC-DA2.

DON'T BUY THE DAZZLE DV-BRIDGE

Any other possible solutions would be highly appreciated.

[Dman65]

loveo,

I have never used the bridge product, but you indicated that the problem does not occur with the s-video connector. I know I have read on this board at some point of a connector that connects one end to a composite source and the other to an s-video source. Just something you might want to try since it may save you a few bucks... or a hundred.

[curiosity]

Deathwish,
I would be interested to know what Dazzle's support was like when you contacted them about the problems. Were they willing to provide you with a replacement card, or return your money? From what I've been able to glean from other postings on this web site, many of the manufacturers offer trial periods and refunds on products that don't meet expectations, let alone ones that outright don't work properly. Maybe if you hassle them a bit more you might be able to get your money back, rather than write it off.