Comments

Jsnkc wrote on 10/30/2003, 11:11 AM
I'd go with the Canopus ACEDVio, it's not external though, internal PCI card and it will also allow you to capture analog and has a firewire port as well.
planders wrote on 10/30/2003, 11:15 AM
I'll second the recommendation for the ACEDVio, it works really well. If you'd prefer an external box, the Canopus ADVC-100 seems to be the most recommended option. I had an early (and very negative) experience with the Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge, and strongly suggest that the extra cost of the Canopus products is money well spent.
vitalforces wrote on 10/30/2003, 1:17 PM
Same experience as planders, same recommendation. My Hollywood DV Bridge worked OK but I instantly noted a more responsive and solid "feel," and sharper picture, with the Canopus ADVC-100. I'm now editing a DV feature film and have put the ADVC-100 through all kinds of sudden stops, switching signals, turning it on & off while running the output program or camera and vice versa, did everything but hit it with a hammer and it never freezes up or malfunctions, unlike the DV Bridge which is highly crashable. (P.S. Pinnacle now owns all Dazzle products and the DV Bridge I believe has no more support.)
TimTyler wrote on 10/30/2003, 2:40 PM
Interesting that you're all against the DV Bridge. I've owned one and now i want a better solution. You're right -- It is no longer supported.

But for $329, why is the Canopus DVio a better solution that a $400 MiniDV camcoder with analog i/o?
Jsnkc wrote on 10/30/2003, 4:00 PM
First of all it's not easy to find a Camera with Analog In and Out for only $400, second it's just a lot easier to have everything in your computer than having to fumble around with a camcorder when you are trying to work.
Spot|DSE wrote on 10/31/2003, 8:11 AM
On the other side of that, I prefer the ADVC 100 or the ADS DV Bridge. I can do PAL or NTSC with either of them, and do Mac/PC with either of them, plus it's portable. Great for hotel editing sessions. DV Bridge has the better image accuracy, you can see stills from all 3 popular converters in my review on the DMN or on the Sundance site.
jcg wrote on 10/31/2003, 2:18 PM
Timtyler, I'm in the same position as you right now. Have you been able to find Spot's review of the 3 converters on either the DMN or Sundance site? I have searched but cannot find. I must be blind today... If you locate, please let me know. I may purchase the Canopus ADVC100 today, but would like to read that review first. Thanks and good luck.

JCG
jcg wrote on 10/31/2003, 3:17 PM
I found the review at the following address: http://production.digitalmedianet.com/2003/03_mar/reviews/ads_avreview.htm

Also, the ADS DV Bridge has been discontinued and has been replaced by the ADS PYRO A/V-Link. You can get if for as low as $150 at places like www.firewire-1394.com. For comparative shopping, see the following link: http://www.epinions.com/cmhd-Video_Capture-All-ADS_Pyro_AV-Link_Video_Capture_Device_API-550/display_~latest_prices/pp_~1/sort_~wtb_price/sort_dir_~asc#wtb

You can get the Canopus ADVC100 for as low as about $260. For comparative shopping, see the following link: http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/productm.jsp?nxtg=98544_D67AEAB813A43211&product=16476870&pdir=0&node=&category=&lgsearch=canopus_advc100&lgnode=&units=1&shipping=Ground&sort=subtotal#abc

Good luck and have a great Halloween!!

JCG


jcg wrote on 10/31/2003, 4:49 PM
I'm going to stop pulling my hair out and buy the ADS Technologies AV Link. Between the very low price and SPOT's review, I overcame my resistance to going against Canopus as the gold standard (is this true?). Hopefully not a goolish decision...

JCG
beerandchips wrote on 10/31/2003, 7:43 PM
I purchased the ADVC-100 because I needed analog and digital in/out. I got an educational discount for around $ 220. It has gone down and can be gotten for around $ 275 commercial price (used to be $ 300 up). It uses canopus's very good codec when going in analog. Has black pull up on analog output and is highly recommended all over. It is portable, affordable, and a very good product.

Good Luck.
farss wrote on 10/31/2003, 10:32 PM
Hope we made the right decision!
I'e been meaning to buy the ADVC-100 for a long time but over here its around $650, with the USD100 rebate even with the exhorbitant shipping charges I should end up paying about AUD 325 for the Pyro. At that price I could almost afford 2.

Local price for the Pyro is about the same as the Canopus box which doesn't have component in but a solid reputation.

It's a real pain with any of this sort of gear here in Australia, even though the exchnage rate is improving local distributors seem to want to put that in their pockets and none of the special deals available in the US make it through to here.

I'd buy a lot more stuff direct from the US if it wasn't for the rediculous freight charges, even SonyFony don't seem to grasp the significance of USD40 shipping charges. What happens that can make it a really big slug for us is if the value is under AUD 400, then we don't get hit with brokerage and GST. But that value includes the shipping because that's added on to the invoice value. The ultimate impact is that a USD 10 diffence in shipping can make a AUD 60 difference in cost to us.