(OT) Analogue to Digital Encoder Recommendation?

BrizDad wrote on 5/3/2007, 8:42 AM

I am in need of an analogue to digital converter.

I will be using it for both vhs and casset so s-video would be good - but not a necessity.

Need something that can go both ways so that I can go back out to VHS (on those rare occasions).

Any recommendations?

TIA,
Greg

Comments

Laurence wrote on 5/3/2007, 9:32 AM

You want a Canopus box. Either the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=10899&A=details&Q=&sku=349146&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigationCanopus ADVC-110[/link] or the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=10899&A=details&Q=&sku=312315&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigationADVC-55[/link] would serve you nicely. If you have unstable quality VHS tapes, the extra time base correction of the http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=10899&A=details&Q=&sku=308864&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigationADVC-300[/link] would help quite a bit to compensate for this, but it costs twice as much and will look the same for good source material.

There are way cheaper solutions at local electronics stores, but the quality and the stability problems you'll run into are really not worth it. The cheaper Dazzle boxes for instance have video capture quality that is just horrible. The Canopus boxes captures look the same as the source material.

Tech Diver wrote on 5/3/2007, 10:27 AM

I second those recommendations. Note however, that the ADVC-55 is only uni-directional, while the ADVC-110 and 300 are bi-directional (which is what you stated you need).

johnmeyer wrote on 5/3/2007, 10:28 AM

Given how you spell "analog," you're not here in the states. If you were, I'd recommend getting a used Digital8 camcorder on eBay. There are lots of these for next to no money, and the older ones have fantastic analog to digital converters built in, and many even have a rudimentary TBC as well. Many of the really cheap ones have tape transports that are gummed up, but you don't need that.

The problem, however, is that the EU, in its infinite wisdom, mandated that the pass-through conversion feature be defeated. For some cameras, there are firmware hacks that will re-enable the feature (it's there, just disabled).

However, if this doesn't work for you, Briz' recommendations are excellent, although it will cost you quite a bit, especially for the wonderful ADVC-300. The TBC is only needed if you have a lot of flagging at the top/bottom (usually more at the top) of your tapes. Also, a really good tape deck is mandatory.

BrizDad wrote on 5/3/2007, 1:32 PM

Thanks all, I think the Grass Valley Canopus ADVC-110 will be perfect.
-greg