New capture card/box

doboyd wrote on 7/31/2002, 11:49 PM
I have searched this forum for all posts on capture cards etc. What i would like to know if anyone can comment on what would be better, a Canopus ADVC100 or the Dvico FirebirdXE PCI card. Both will capture analog and DV (converting analog to DV) and output both as well. I am undecided, as both seem to have their merits and this forum praises the AVDC100. The Firebird also has some good features (See the Dvico web site, www.dvico.com), but I cannot find many reviews. The AVDC100 is cheaper, but has a compatibility problem with TI OHCI firewire cards (according to thier web site). Any comments on this compatibility?? The Firebird is supposed to be OHCI compliant, and the distributor has said the card will work with VV3.

So... I guess its down to the AVDC100 plus a new firewire card vs The FirebirdXE, more expensive but tempting with its software bundle/encoder etc.

Any comments greatly appreciated.

Comments

vinmangraphics wrote on 8/1/2002, 9:52 AM
As someone who just moved out of a Pinnacle/Miro DC30 - the one thing that would keep my away from another internal, card-based solution is that you are dependent on the company to keep developing drivers for new OS versions. (will they develop drivers for the version of Windows/MAC OS that is released 2 years from now, or will they devote their energy into whatever their new product is?)

An external solution like the Canopus only relies on the availability of firewire, which shouldn't be a problem on any new OS for a good number of years. (as long as you have a compatible card)

- vin


HeeHee wrote on 8/1/2002, 11:35 AM
Good point. In addition, the TI chipset issue does not effect all firewire cards with TI. I have a TI chipset on my card and it works fine with the ADVC-100.
doboyd wrote on 8/1/2002, 5:50 PM
Thanks for the replies, but I also heard that the AVDC100 has a low audio (non adjustable) through put and adjusting in software can lead to noise??

By the way, anyone look at the FirebirdXe card and Dvico website?? I was just curious to know what anyone might think about it.

Thanks.