Ion USB VCR vs Canopus

cmcdonald wrote on 10/6/2008, 12:30 PM

I know that the Ion USB VCR and Canopus ADVC converters have been discussed before, but I was wondering if anyone has actually tried both. The Ion is considerably cheaper than the Canopus units. Is this for good reason? Is the quality of the conversions of old VHS to DV made with the Canopus units significantly better? If you are using a standard consumer-grade VCR with a Canopus unit, are you going to get any better results than you would with the Ion?

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 10/6/2008, 3:03 PM

I've never heard of the Ion, however, i have *never* seen nor heard of a USB converter that was worth the plastic bag it was packaged in. Everyone who posts in here that has moved from a USB device to something like the Canopus has reported immensely better quality and a loss of just about all capturing problems they encountered with the USB device.

Canopus has a very solid reputation. My advice is, if it's USB, don't even think about buying it.

Eugenia wrote on 10/6/2008, 3:40 PM

I own one of these http://www.fastvdo.com/SmartCapture/
If you live in the Bay Area, I can give it to you for free (if I find it back somewhere in my closet).

cmcdonald wrote on 10/6/2008, 9:41 PM

Here is a link to one site that sells the Ion.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/digital-conversion/a956/

It appears to basically be a VCR with a converter built in that downloads to your PC via a USB cable. It seems like a good idea but I am very skeptical.

I know that Canopus has a very good reputation. Do you have any idea how much of a difference it makes using a standard consumer VCR with one of the Canopus converters?

Chienworks wrote on 10/7/2008, 4:29 AM

Sounds like a huge ripoff to me. VCRs are selling in the under $40 range these days. A "good" (ha!) USB converter runs about $70. They want twice that combined total for that thing. The ad is also almost completely devoid of any technical information so it's pretty hard to make any judgment about the quality.

If you've already got a VCR, any VCR, use it and get an A/V->DV converter like one of the Canopus units. You'll be much happier in the long run. If you feel like spending the money the 300-series models include a Time Base Corrector, which stabilizes the video signal especially on tapes recorded in SLP (EP) mode, making for much clearer captures.

cmcdonald wrote on 10/7/2008, 7:48 AM

Thanks. That is pretty much the conclusion I have come to.

OhMyGosh wrote on 10/7/2008, 12:42 PM

Hi Eugenia,
I will say 'thank you' for cmcdonald. That was a nice offer. Cin

cmcdonald wrote on 10/7/2008, 7:01 PM

Cin & Eugenia,

That was a very generous offer and I apologize for not responding. I live in Southern California rather than the Bay Area and therefor did not see a good way to take Eugenia up on that offer. That being said, Cin is right that I should have at least expressed my thanks. I have seen Eugenia offer advice and help to an incredible number of forum members and I definitely would like to commend that effort.

Chris