Analog-to-digital Video Converter For Mac
Hello, I'm looking for a Firewire or USB2 analog-digital video converter for my Mac (MDD). Preferably something that has hardware mpeg-1 & mpeg-2 compression, because I'd rather compress on-the-fly than do it later in software (unless there's a good reason to first convert to DV and then compress later in software?). I've done some research and am hoping to get some real-world feedback, because I'm really not sure which way to go. My main use for the converter will be to digitize Hi-8 tapes, and some old VHS I have lying around. Is there a benefit for Firewire over USB2?
I have a USB2 PCI card installed, which I think is now supported natively in Mac OS X (no third party drivers necessary). Is there a benefit for Firewire over USB2? I have a USB2 PCI card installed, which I think is now supported natively in Mac OS X (no third party drivers necessary). For the Mac, yes. All of Apple's apps are FW Compliant ( imovie HD, FCP/FCE) so if you are gonna capture on a mac using native mac software, best stick to FW. If you plan on using a 3rd party app like Cap-TV(sp) then you might be able to get away with it. PJ and Frobozz know more about the USB solutions, then I do so they should be chiming in shortly.
As for you other question.if the source needs NO editing, then hardware compression would be the way to go. But, if you have to edit the audio stream ( clean it up, boost it, reduce noise) or edit the video stream ( remove commercials, color correct), then its best ( and easiest) to do it in software, and the less you have to demux, re-ratio, re-encode before you even get to edit, IMHO, so much the better. Here's what I've been looking at: 2 - Canopus ADVC50 (PCI, only imports to DV) 3 - Canopus ADVC55 (Firewire, only imports to DV, no locked audio/video) 4 - Canopus ADVC110 (Firewire, only imports to DV) Are there any others worth looking at? Thanks for any and all feedback. I can only comment on the Canopus line. Have you not looked at the Canopus ADVC-100? I know the -110 replaced it, but it also features locked audio, and probably could be had for less that the -110.
All Canopus products work natively with iMovie and FCP/FCE, so out of the box you can have it set up in no time. The advantages of the -100 and the -110 are that you can also send back out via FW to a camera or tape deck, and the box works great on long captures, not losing sync.
I would avoid the PCI-50/55 unless you think you will never need the export capability, then if so go for the -55. Also, if cash is no object, seriously look at the ADVC-300 which includes locked audio/import/export, and de-macrovision capability.
Hope this helps. I got a datavideo DAC-100 for $150, slightly used, off ebay. So far the only capture i tried was from a VHS tape, 2nd generation live band recording, with a few glitches in the source material. The DAC-100 didn't like them. I believe a VCR with TBC (time base correction) would probably help the DAC-100 do its job better.
Having said that, i'm trying a different route with this tape, going directly to my Panasonic DMR-E30 standalone recorder using the 'SP' (2 hour) setting. I've done the capture; next step is to rip the DVD to DV & see if i can work with it in iDVD or iMovie.
Analog to digital Thanks for the tip on Canopus - I checked it out and it sounds really good. But it is a little more money than the others I've seen. It is $299 ($279 at MacMall) and I'd been looking at ones that are $149 to $198. Is this worth paying more do you think? I like the 3 year warranty and the audio/video lock sounds crucial.
The intro about it says SVHS, Hi-8 and component, but I would assume it will do regular VHS too? That's the main thing I'd use it for - and possibly Beta. Any other suggestions out there? Is there such a thing that has a VCR built into it?
I'd love to not have to drag my (not so good) VCR into my computer office. Would just a basic cheap player work all right? Getting a mini DV Camcorder and hooking it up is a good solution - you just need to make sure it's a decent one and they start in a higher price range than you said you wanted to spend. You said that you mainly want it to convert VHS?
Well, the other minus is that you still have to hook your Video player to the camcorder to convert to DVD. It gets to be kinda cumbersome. After doing extensive research on both the ADVC-100 and the Formac, and reading up all I could on performance, quality and people's opinions, I ended up getting both to try out.
Zebra designer tlp 2844-z drivers for mac. The quality of both were the same - fantastic. The both have the audio lock which works wonderfully even with extended conversion.
I ended up keeping the Formac, just because it was less cumbersome - the firewire powers it, so there's not ANOTHER electrical adapter on my desk. I've been very happy with it. I found it for $239 over the internet. BTW, I also have an iMac: ).
Originally posted by TekilaGold Getting a mini DV Camcorder and hooking it up is a good solution - you just need to make sure it's a decent one and they start in a higher price range than you said you wanted to spend. You said that you mainly want it to convert VHS?
Analog To Digital Video Converter For Mac Reviews
Well, the other minus is that you still have to hook your Video player to the camcorder to convert to DVD. It gets to be kinda cumbersome. After doing extensive research on both the ADVC-100 and the Formac, and reading up all I could on performance, quality and people's opinions, I ended up getting both to try out. The quality of both were the same - fantastic. The both have the audio lock which works wonderfully even with extended conversion.
I ended up keeping the Formac, just because it was less cumbersome - the firewire powers it, so there's not ANOTHER electrical adapter on my desk. I've been very happy with it. I found it for $239 over the internet. BTW, I also have an iMac: ).
I'm going to toss in my 2ยข. As others have mentioned the Canopus ADVC-100 is a great litte device. I have it connected to my video camera which is 8mm via composite cables. I've used only a few times so far and have not been disappointed. I was actually quite surprised by the quality. The ADVC-100 also allows you to output to a recording device. You won't find this ability on some of the less expensive options.
Digital To Analog Tv Converter
The only negative I have is that it did not come with a 6 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable. It does come with a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable. The 4 pin jack is on the front and the 6 pin is on the back. I didn't like having to snake the cable from the front of the converter to the back of my computer. Click to expand.Do you being a 'she' i apologize for the mistake, you signed 'marty' so i guess i just kinda figured you as being a he. Like i said in the early 1.2 release of FPC i needed Timecode to start it, but i think that was because i didn't turn device control off, turning device control off in FCP 4 allows me to use the DV as just a bridge, with no tape inserted into the camera when recording for the VCR. I have a midrange progressive scan CCD camera and it allows it, so your pro level camera will undoubtedly work.
Your best bet is to just try it. Thanks for all the help and ideas Thanks everyone - this has been very interesting. I think it makes sense to use my camera as pass-through, but I still need to figure out how to get a vcr in here - I may just buy a compact one. I'm also shopping for a firewire hard drive, so it would be nice to not have to buy both. I've posted a question about that on this board too, but any great recs for a 120G firewire drive?
I have seen LaCie, Iomega and Fantom around $200 - someone onthe board recommended OWC - any experience with any of these? (and have you seen that newish epson scanner printer that is also a color copier for around $100? Canopus advertising the 'locked audio' feature is more advertising than anything IMO. As I understand it, unlocked audio will not lead to synch drift unless the manufacturer was lazy and/or cheap and took some short cuts. Using unlocked audio is like walking a dog on a long leash while using locked audio is like walking a dog on a short leash. In both cases the dog and the owner get to the same place at the same time. The dog on the longer leash just has a little more room to fall behind/run ahead (analogy borrowed from Adam Wilt).
Unlocked audio could lead to synch loss w/in a frame and/or at the subframe level but if that created any problems it would in editing and it would not cause synch to drift ove extended periods. Just an FYI, no DV camera uses locked audio, although Sony and Panasonic have included it in their pro/prosumer versions of DV (PVCPro and DVCAM respectively). Even w/that being said the Canopus is, IMO, the best ADVC on the market.