Need Help choosing a capture card...

[mikeveli]

Hey all,

I've done a lot of research on Capture Cards and still can't decide which one to get. I've zeroed in on the DataVideo DAC-100, Canopus ADVC-50 and the Canopus ADVC-100 but am unsure which to pick so I was hoping for some help. Here is what I want and what I will be using the card for:

- Capturing of videos approx. 3 hours in length each (I want the AV to stay in sync throughout the entire time too)
- quality equal to a VCD at the absolute LEAST
- The majority of the videos are off cassette tapes that were taped by me (so they aren't store bought althought the occasional one will be, not sure if MacroVision comes into play here????)
- Not an absolute must to have Digital back to analog

That's pretty much it. If there are any other cards that can perform these functions that I haven't listed above then feel free to let me know about them I am hoping to stay under $300 as well. Thanks in advance.

Mike

[LanceSteel]

I have the Canopus ADVC-100 and I think its tops. It will do all of those things that you listed in your "want list."

Keep in mind that these cards (at least the Canopus cards) capture only to DV format. The quality will be almost identical to that of the VHS you are capturing from (I'm a bit confused about your VCD quality quote.)

The Canopus ADVC-100 is an external device which is nice because you can connect it up to any computer you want (as long as it has a firewire port) and there are no drivers needed (the computer just sees it like a camcorder.)

Its worth the cash.

[lifeisgood03]

The Canopus ADVC100. No doubt about it. I just bought mines on Ebay after trying a lot of capture cards which by the way, all sucked.

There's a lot of GOOD reviews about the Canopus ADVC100.

If I were you, don't waste your time getting anything else. Just get the Canopus ADVC100

[mikeveli]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too, but I've heard that the ADVC-100 is very similar to the DataVideo DAC-100 and for a $100 price difference, are the capabilities that much better on the ADVC-100? Also, from what I understand the ADVC-50 is the same as the ADVC-100 but with no Digital back to Analog and no macrovision disabling. Would Macrovision apply to copied tapes or is it only to store bought ones?

LanceSteel: What I meant about the VCD quality is that I know some capture cards, even though excellent source tape quality, still capture at the equivalent of MPEG-1, but if the quality on the ADVC-100 is identical to the tape then that's perfect for me!

[lifeisgood03]

Good question. What's the difference between the Canopus ADVC100 and the DataVideo DAC-100?

[mikeveli]

The only "technical" difference that I know of is that the DataVideo DAC-100 doesn't have Locked Audio, but I spoke to a representative for DataVideo and they said that they have never had one complaint about AV sync for the DAC-100. I'd like to find out from someone that has used both devices, but so far have not found anyone that has.

[dish21]

I have had the ADVC-100 for a while now, and I like it better than any other device that I have used. I can't say enough about this box.

[dilligaf]

Chalk up another vote for the advc 100, Ive had one for a couple of weeks & cannot fault it. Regarding macrovision, Ive just done a test backup of my Starwars EP4 vhs tape, despite having the CP copy protection blurb telling me I'd have no hope, the tape captured fine. These boxes are $(AUS)675 over here & worth every cent

[mmasw]

a point of curiosity.....

how much time and hassle is involved in the process of converting DV to MPG-2 prior to burning a DVD?

[dilligaf]

a point of curiosity.....

how much time and hassle is involved in the process of converting DV to MPG-2 prior to burning a DVD?

I use tmpgenc to encode using a dvd template, to get the max bitrate the wizard has proved quite accurate, time wise about 3x the movie length. I author using Ifoedit.

[jinu]

Hi Folks,
I am also in a similar situation and cant decide whether to go in for the ADVC-100. The reason being Macrovision. I have heard that the ADVC-100 cannot bypass the macrovision found in PAL signal sources. It can successfully bypass the macrovision found in NTSC signal sources.

Can somebody confirm this ??
regards
Jinu