Comments

Chienworks wrote on 9/23/2004, 5:20 PM
Well, the big difference is that the $200+ converter works. If you browse through these forums you'll see that there is a lot of doubt about the Dazzle working at all.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 9/23/2004, 5:27 PM
alright, are there any suggestions; in terms of models etc...
Chienworks wrote on 9/23/2004, 5:32 PM
A very good basic model is the Canopus ADVC-100 which handles NTSC and PAL, passes both composite and S-Video to digital and back, and handles stereo audio. It's a rock solid unit that just plain works. Probable street price is $200 to $250. A nice step up from this is the ADVC-300 which includes a time base corrector. This can make a huge difference if the quality of the videotape recording is poor. It does wonders stabalizing shaky images and handling spots where the tape may have been stretched or crinkled. It's about $100 more than the 100 model though.
johnmeyer wrote on 9/23/2004, 8:48 PM
I assume that you know you can use almost any DV or Digital8 camera to do this job. Much better than the cheap converter, and probably as good as the ADVC-100. Doesn't have a time base corrector, although I am a little unclear whether it helps much when going from analog to digital because once digitized there is no longer a sync to worry about (it is, of course, essential when going from analog to analog).
Chienworks wrote on 9/23/2004, 8:51 PM
The TBC is used before the D/A stage and can make a huge difference with "raggedy" analog recordings.
Spot|DSE wrote on 9/23/2004, 8:53 PM
TBC helps a lot when going analog to dig. Gets rid of a lot of noise from the vid, cleans up smear, stabilizes the frame, and generally makes the VHS or High 8 signal quite a bit cleaner before it goes to the hard drive/capture process.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 9/24/2004, 3:02 PM
Here's the question then, How do I convert From analog signal to DV on my computer in one step with a DV camcorder. I have to use VCR to get the camcorder to switch it, but I think Vegas Automatically starts playing the tape if it's in VCR Mode when I start capturing. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it would be a 2 step process, and therefore, take up too much time to convert it using the camera. Thanks for the tips guys. Just bought VEGAS 5.0 for $450 with the Vision series Textures and Backdrops one as well as Screenblast acid auido creation software (not sure how usefull that will really be) bundled with it. I'm loving it!
Chienworks wrote on 9/24/2004, 3:03 PM
In VidCap, go to Options / Preferences / General and UNcheck "Enable DV device control". Now VidCap will simply take in the DV stream from the camcorder without trying to play the tape.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 9/24/2004, 3:05 PM
You guys are a God send, what would I do without Vegas Video Forums?

Thanks again :-)