Comments

JohnnyRoy wrote on 8/4/2005, 8:57 PM
> Canopus ADVC-55 A/D Converter OK?

Absolutely NOT! That only imports analog (i.e., it’s just analog-to-digital, not digital-to-analog). You need something that outputs analog to monitor on an external TV monitor. That requires something like the Canpous ADVC-110 or an ADS Pyro A/V Link. I use an ADS A/V Link and it works great (and is cheaper than the Canopus).

~jr
Dan Sherman wrote on 8/4/2005, 9:03 PM
Thanks Johnny.
Exactly the information is was fishing for.
farss wrote on 8/5/2005, 3:24 AM
All I can say is good luck with the Pryo link, maybe they've finally got the thing to sort of work right but last time I checked their forum on Cow they were still an aweful lot of unhappy users.
I just wrote mine off to experience and bought the ADVC-300 and have never looked back. The only real plus though with the 300 over a D8 camera is the 300 handles both PAL and NTSC and you can tweak the procamp on the fly during capture.
Bob.
Dan Sherman wrote on 8/5/2005, 6:32 AM
D8 serves a dual purpose really.
DV deck of sorts, (poor man's version) and outputs to NTSC screen.
Gave to Bro and he's in Italy.
Me repossess!?
Can do that with Bros.
Meantime can utalize the DVX I've been trying to save from shuttle abuse.
Maybe a deck?
I'm thinkin',---a deck,----deck the halls with.-----
Santa? There's an extra cookie in it for yah fat boy!
Think about it.
Being' good here,---reeeeaaaal good.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 8/5/2005, 7:18 AM
> All I can say is good luck with the Pryo link, maybe they've finally got the thing to sort of work right but last time I checked their forum on Cow they were still an aweful lot of unhappy users.

Yes, there were problems with the earlier models but they seem to be sorted out now. I have the API-550 Rev C. with Firmware 3.3 (Dated May 2005) and it works great. They don’t sell the old version anymore. It now comes bundled with Premiere Elements (API-555). I guess if you plan to buy an older one off of eBay then you should plan to have it shipped back to ADS (free of charge) to have the firmware replaced.

> I just wrote mine off to experience and bought the ADVC-300 and have never looked back.

Well... you can’t seriously compare a $500 ADVC-300 with a $150 A/V Link. Of course the ADVC-300 is far superior; the darn thing has a TBC built in! (I want one) If you still have your Pyro A/V Link, you might consider sending it back for a free firmware update so that you have an extra device that works.

~jr
farss wrote on 8/5/2005, 8:05 AM
I might consider getting it upgraded although the feight back and forth to the USA will kind of take the edge off it!
Still although I have plenty of A/D converters it'd be good to have one just for driving the monitor.
Of course you can't compare a $500 unit with a $150 one but here's the thing. The $150 one is more appropriate with a BetaSP deck, the output's more likely to be rock solid. If you're trying to capture dodgy old VHS you'll do better with the $500 one with a TBC. But the Catch22 is if you've got a BetaSP deck you probably wouldn't baulk at buying the $500 unit although the component inputs on the $150 would possibly be of more use with SP and quite useless for VHS.
Bob.
AFW wrote on 8/5/2005, 1:11 PM
While you're researching, why not check out the DataVideo DAC-100? http://www.datavideo.us/products/dac_100_main_page.htm
I bought 2 yesterday and they work as advertised. Simple. Solid. Easy to use.

Yes, no TBC - but then I already have an ACE box from GBH Electronics (in UK), a real marvel. Everything now switches smoothly and easily through my Kramer 8-way matrix switch, so av from and to multiple devices.
B.Verlik wrote on 8/5/2005, 7:05 PM
Well, get ready for a little disappointment. I also bought the datavideo DAC-100 and was happy with it until somebody pointed out the fact that if you look very carefully at the edges of some objects and especially some white text or channel logos in the bottom corner, you can see some slight digital artifacts around the edge. Once this was pointed out to me, I couldn't help but see it all the time after that. I was fairly happy with it until that was pointed out. (Sorry, but at least you learned early and you can make your decision about it now or later.)
Eventually, I bought a used Sony Digital 8 camera with "Pass-through" to get the TBC and Noise reduction as well as a very good converter. (not to mention a fairly decent camera)