Dazzle and Dropped Frames

CamRewop wrote on 9/25/2003, 9:18 AM
Hello Everyone!

I am experiencing a bit of a problem with a Dazzle DVC80. The DVC80 appears to be a pretty basic USB import tool that has S-Video, and composites inputs for video and audio.

When I import video from a VHS deck, I get a lot of dropped frames. As an example, in a 10 second clip, I may drop ~60 frames. When I import video via firewire from a Canon GL1, I’ve never had a problem with dropped frames.

I have a few questions, for anyone willing to spend the time to read this far:

1. Has anyone had any luck with the DVC80?
2. Does anyone know of a good analog to digital converter?
3. Would it be a reasonable workflow to dub VHS to mini-DV, and then use firewire into the PC?

Any help/insight in importing VHS would be greatly appreciated. I’m just digitizing some home movies, but would like to keep the quality as high as possible. My system specs are as follows:

P4/2.6 (800MHz FSB)
2GB DDR400 Ram
nVidia geForce5900Ultra
C: drive is IBM 60GB Deskstar (Windows and Vegas installed here)
D: drive is Maxtor 80GB (capture and temp dirs for Vegas)


Thanks!

Comments

Jsnkc wrote on 9/25/2003, 9:38 AM
That is because USB=Slooooow transfer speeds Firewire= Fast transfer speeds. You are dropping frames mostly because USB 1 simply isn't fast enought to transfer a good quality video signal.
I would check out the Canopus ADVC-50, ADVD-100, and ACEDVio. They will all do what you need some just have more features than others and they vary in prices.
Chienworks wrote on 9/25/2003, 11:20 AM
There's no mention on Pinnacle's site as to whether the DVC 80 is USB 1 or USB 2. Since it doesn't loudly proclaim USB 2, that would lead me to assume it isn't. USB 1 is limited to about 12mbps data transfer rate. A DV signal is about 30mbps. Obviously the DVC 80 can't handle a full DV stream. Even MPEG-2 at 6mbps or so would be pushing it since most devices can only sustain about half their rated speed.

For comparison, USB 2 is 480mbps and firewire is 400mbps. These devices are plenty more than fast enough for video. I have yet to see any comments about USB 2 capture devices though. I think the poor performance of USB 1 has spoiled most folks from considering USB 2 for video. The DVC 150 can handle USB 2, but it's over twice the price of the DVC 80 and not even available yet.
Spot|DSE wrote on 9/25/2003, 11:24 AM
All as said before, and then to add that Dazzle's are famous for issues anyway.
ADS DV Bridge,
Canopus ADVC 100
Canopus ADVC 1394 are reasonably inexpensive solutions for Firewire that have awesome quality. You can see a review of all the mentioned cards, plus the Dazzle at http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/help/kb
Jimmy_W wrote on 9/25/2003, 2:03 PM
how about the dazzle hollywood dv bridge?
vitalforces wrote on 9/25/2003, 3:21 PM
Before purchasing ANY Dazzle product, be aware that Pinnacle has bought out Dazzle and is in the process of dumping, by Sept. 30, any and every product and support service that competes with Pinnacle products. This includes the Hollywood DV-Bridge as well as the (former) excellent Dazzle DVD Complete version 2.5 software.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/25/2003, 4:34 PM
> ADS DV Bridge

SPOT, Did you mean to say the "ADS Pyro AV Link"? This is what you recommended to me on the DMN forums. The DV Bridge is the Dazzle product I think? (at least I couldn’t find anything called a DV Bridge on the ADS web site). I’ve found the Pyro AV Link as cheap as $155 on the web.

Here is the link to SPOT’s review of the ADS Pyro AV Link that convinced me.

~jr
CamRewop wrote on 9/25/2003, 8:19 PM
Thanks to those that took the time to reply. I've switched the USB device out for a PCI base capture card (Adaptec). Getting ready to see how well it works.

Thanks Again!
ScottW wrote on 9/25/2003, 8:44 PM
2 thumbs up for the ADVC 1394 card. It's been doing a much (significantly) better job at capture than the Matrox RT2500 I had at less than 1/2 the price. Works great with Vegas too!