Thanks for your help. Actually, what I am looking for is a box that has a firewire "input", and composite(RCA)"output". I want to view the video from my computer on an external monitor, but I have to use my tv which only has composite inputs, and my computer does not have composite output.

*Also, my other question was....my computer has an s-video out put card. Does VV3 support s-video output to a monitor?


Thanks,

videomonster

The Canopus ADVC-100 has what you're looking for ... and lots more which you may find useful someday. It's also very handy if someone gives you a VHS tape that you need to capture; run the outputs of your VCR into the ADVC-100 and capture it in DV through firewire.

Sorry, ignore my reply to futz. I replied to his mesage before reading the specs of the Canopus ADVC-100 and finding out that you can not only capture composite, but also export composite. This product is basicly what I want except I don't really want to spend $300 on it. Does anyone know of a product similar to this which has firewire in and composite out? It doesn't have to have as many features as the Canopus ADVC-100.

Thanks,

Videomonster

Good point....I might need the other features that the Canopus ADVC-100 offers.

Thanks, I think I'll look into buying this.

-Videomonster

Dazzle Hollywood Bridge takes firewire and converts it to analog, both in and out.
Check Pricewatch.com, I've seen it for less than $200.

Thanks for your replies....I think I'm going to get the Canopus ADVC-100

-Videomonster

Dazzle Hollywood is not very good. I had major problems with dropped frames and other bizarre anomalies that instantly went away I replaced the Hollywood with a Sony TRV-17 camcorder.

Bob.

Having owned a Dazzle Hollywood, I can comment on its "dropped frames" problem.
When capturing live tv for example - it can work fine if there is no "interference" on the picture.. Capturing from VHS tapes is a no-go area most of the time.
It will randomly drop frames which is very annoying. The problem is it does not sync properly internally - it always expects a broadcast standard input signal, which in real life, it doesn't get with domestic equipment of course.
There is a solution.
In short, it can be made to work 100% reliably all the time... IF you are prepared to invest in a TBC (time based corrector) unit such as the datavideo internal pci unit (that I own). These strip out and re-generate all the sync signals to stabilize the video.
With that in place, its output is great. I used this setup for over a year.
I have now replaced the Dazzle with a Canopus DVC-100 and enjoy even higher quality DV captures now - especially colour and definition seem better!
I still choose to filter all my input through the TBC card however, to clean up the signals before they reach the Canopus.
I heavily recommend a TBC unit in general when working with any analogue footage and sampling it to DV.
The model I have the TBC-100(?) unit is an internal PCI card format that takes up one such slot - it also takes a power feed from your computers PSU. It has no edge connectors on it -just a dummy plastic edge strip - so its not even "seen" by your computer at all - it just takes up a physical slot - quite clever!