Analog to Digital Conversion

Paul_Varjak wrote on 4/17/2006, 9:54 AM

I'm helping a friend of mine get set-up for video editing.
He's going to buy Vegas but needs to also buy an analog to
digital converter. He has quite a few VHS tapes he would like to convert from analog to digital, then edit and burn to DVD.

I have a Canopus ADVC-100 that I have been very pleased with.
I did a search on here to see what other options there are.
I found out that the ADVC-100 has been replaced by the ADVC-110.
Also noticed that there is the ADVC-55 which is much cheaper and looks like it will work for converting the VHS tapes.

Anyone using the ADVC-55? What are the disadvantages of the ADVC-55 versus the ADVC-110? Comments and opinions please?

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 4/17/2006, 10:32 AM

I have used the 100 but went to the 300. The software that comes with the 300 will let you correct a lot of VHS flaws on the fly of which there are many if you are particular about things. Very happy with it. Don't know anything about the 55.

JJK

rs170a wrote on 4/17/2006, 10:56 AM

The 55 is a one-way only device while the 110 is bidirectional.
As JJK said though, the 300 is preferred for your friends' application (if he can afford it, that is).

Mike

Paul_Varjak wrote on 4/17/2006, 11:23 AM

The 300 may be a bit pricey. When you say the 55 is a one way device only; do you mean that you can only convert analog to digital and not digital to analog?

rs170a wrote on 4/17/2006, 11:54 AM

That's correct. The 55 is an analog to digital convertor only.
More info is on the Canopus site.

Mike

Paul_Varjak wrote on 4/17/2006, 12:41 PM

Thanks, Mike.

It looks like the ADVC-55 will suffice for his needs.
Anyone have any experience with this converter?

rs170a wrote on 4/17/2006, 12:51 PM

Paul_Varjak wrote on 4/17/2006, 1:04 PM

Thanks for the input Mike. As I mentioned I also have the 100 and
it has been rock solid. I'm going to e-mail him the info so I'll
give him the option on the ADVC-100 as well as the ADVC-55.

Jayster wrote on 4/17/2006, 3:22 PM

Paul, I have two of the 100s at the office. The reason I like them is that I can hook an external video monitor to the output. This feature comes in very handy for doing colour correction. That's something for your friend to seriously think about.

Ditto on what rs170a said. If your friend wants to make DVDs with television as the target, he really needs to be able to preview on a television. Computer looks different! Combining the two purposes helps justify the expense, for many.

If he's totally on a budget he could use the D/A conversion features of his camcorder to copy his VCR tapes. He won't get some of the repair and sync capabilities of a good converter, and he'll have to have his camcorder tied up for a while.

Paul_Varjak wrote on 4/17/2006, 7:28 PM

Thanks jayster. I think having a dedicated converter is better than
using the camcorder. It's more convenient and if i remember correctly one of the best features of the canopus devices is the locked audio. At least that's the case with my 100.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 4/18/2006, 5:51 AM

I just got the Pyro AV Link with Premiere Elements a few weeks just. JUST tried it out & it works great. Got it on clearence from my local Circuit City for $110. It locks the audio too.

B.Verlik wrote on 4/18/2006, 11:38 AM

If it comes out of firewire, it should have the audio/video locked together. AVI = Audio Video Interweve......that sort of means sewn together or locked.
just remember, if what you're using has no Time Base Corrector or Digital Noise Reduction, copying VHS, 8mm or Hi8 will have some drop-outs, but if you're just copying 'Live Composite', Cable or Satellite, it will be fine.