video capture devices

studioLord wrote on 5/18/2006, 11:47 PM
I have a Plextor USB capture device. After my old computer went down, I began reloading the software... we all love that part...
The Plextor will not load... it says "Access denied" and gives a list of folders that would not load (for whatever reason)

I was told by the tutoring video that a firewire capture device is better...

Two questions:
1. Are there any Plextor experts out there that can tell me how to get around the problem and load this dog?

2. Which Firewire capture device would you recommend? I am limited on budget, but I do want it to work better than the Plextor... I got two or three uses out of the Plextor before the crash...
Thanks
John

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 5/19/2006, 5:25 AM
The Canopus ADVC 110 seems to be the current favorite. If you do a lot of capturing from old cruddy decaying VHS tapes, or tapes that are copies of copies, you should look into the Canopus ADVC 300 because it has a built in Time Base Corrector. The TBC corrects the image tearing and horizontal stability problems often seen on VHS copies.

Alternatively, look on ebay for older SONY digital 8 camcorders. I think i've heard the TRV 200 series mentioned a lot. These camcorders have analog A/V inputs and a firewire output. Most of them don't even require having a tape inserted in order to do the conversion. Heck, maybe someone is selling one with a broken tape transport for a few bucks. Most of the older TRV models include TBC as well. If you get one with a functional tape transport then it becomes very handy for capturing 8mm tapes as well and it can even function as a backup or second camera since it records exactly the same signal as MiniDV.
studioLord wrote on 5/19/2006, 5:15 PM
GHello again... Thanks for the suggestion... I will look for the cameras.
I decided to go with the Canopus 110... Budget constraints and all...