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Plextor ConvertX- USB2.0 Capture issues
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ivl
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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3. February 2004 @ 18:17 |
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Thanks for you response. It turns out (or so I believe) that the problem was due to the original video tape. I tried using a video I have purchased (I can't copy due to macrovision), but I can view it using WinDVD Creator2 with no crackling sound. I guess the ConvertX is a bit sensitive to poor audio on the source.
As for macrovision, I'm looking to get a video stabilizer. This is not really a stabilizer (apparantly), but do you know anything about this product?
http://www.facetvideo.com/
It seems a bit expensive, but I wouldn't want to get something cheaper and end up having to buy something like this anyway.
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Minion
AfterDawn Addict
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3. February 2004 @ 19:20 |
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Yes that is Just a Fancy Video stabilizer, and a Very Over priced one as it probably uses the Same methods for removeing Macrovision as a $15 to $30 one...cheers
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4. February 2004 @ 02:10 |
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That's one really overpriced Video Stabilizer. If you live near a best buy, go check out the SIMA VIDEO COPYMASTER. That should do the job and be much cheaper than that clarifier. I think the only thing that needs clarifying there is why is the price so high..
If you do a search on macrovision removal, you'll be directed to several sites that sell copyguards removers aka: Video Stabilizers..
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ivl
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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4. February 2004 @ 14:03 |
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I've looked into the SIMA products and I see that there's a similar product SIMA CopyThis! thats around the same price (cheaper at some places) as CopyMaster. Do you know anything about this product?
BestBuy unfortunatly does not seem to have the CopyMaster product in my area.
Btw, I've also read that the CopyMaster can (sometimes) cause some horizontal lines and/or a yellow tint on the copy. Have anyone encountered any of this?
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4. February 2004 @ 14:26 |
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This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4. February 2004 @ 14:27
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md20000
Newbie
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12. March 2004 @ 04:49 |
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I would be very interested to hear more from Cman on his current views of the ConvertX vs. Canopus ADVC 100. I purchased the ConvertX 402, but am returning it today. First, I am working my way up the learning curve when it comes to creating DVD's from my old VHS home movies. My editing needs are fairly simple...just need to shorten some clips, cut out bad segments, and sometimes rearrange or reorganize segments into themes (like birthdays). I have actually found that the software that comes with ConvertX - InterVideo WinDVD2 - actually does a pretty good job with my editing needs. They offer some quality Title pages (but allow you to use your own pictures) and provide about 30 or so transition choices. The end result is quite impressive. So way am I returning the unit? I have two key issues and have received inconsistent responses from Plextor Tech Support. First, for some reason the MPEG2 files that I create have a "tracking bar" on the bottom that is about 1/4 of an inch. It is like the video is out of synch with the rest of the main video. Tech support calls it a wrap around. Apparently they are aware of it and one person said that a software fix is coming out this week. The next guy was totally unaware of the issue. BTW, when you make the DVD, that bar does not appear on the TV. However if I open up one of the MPEG files and play it on Window Media Player, there it is. The second issue is color match. For some reason, I get some purple/green steaks or blotches that are not on the original VHS. I have installed the latest driver that apparently fixed a similar issue. This is not acceptable. Finally, I noticed in playing back one of the many files that I've created a sound/video synch issue...this appears to be an exception (hopefully), but concerning nevertheless. Maybe I was overloading my computer at the time I captured that segment. If it weren't for the two key issues, it think the ConvertX is a great product...primarily because it is easy to use. I captured my Video is standard quality, so that I could fit about 2 hours on a DVD. I have checked alot of forums and it looks like the Canopus product, although more expensive, has had some pretty strong support. My biggest concern is that since it captures in DVI, the whole process of editing and transcoding will take alot longer. But my thinking is that I hope to only do this once and therefore it is critical that the end result is a quality job. Please share with me your more experienced insights or views.
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Minion
AfterDawn Addict
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12. March 2004 @ 13:06 |
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The Problems you are experienceing sound like the Regular Problems that you get when captureing from VHS Tapes...When you capture From VHS there is allways this Squigily Bar on the Bottom of the Picture ,This is Caused from the Heads on the VCR Makeing Contact with the VHS Tape ,The reason why it doesn"t show up on your TV is because you TV Has a 5%-10% Overscan Area arround the whole Picture that Cuts off the Line at the Bottom...And the Discoloration you are experienceing sounds a Bit like a Macrovision Copy Protection Issue which you will usually get when Recorging Retail VHS Tapes...
The ADVC-100 Is the Best external Analouge/Digital converter in it"s Class but if you would like an Internal PCI device that Does the Same Thing For Quite a Bit Cheaper try the "Canopus ACEDVio" ,It has all the same Features as the ADVC-100 But is an internal PCI Card and it is quite a Bit cheaper as I have seen them for as Low as $169 US On E-Bay and it is Compatible with Most Capture/Editing Programs,I have recomended this device to a couple others on this Forum allong with the ADVC-100 and of the Poeple who actually went out a bought the device they were all Extremely happy with it.. I think it will be my Next Device cuz I need a Good Analogue/Digital Converter as I want to start a Small buisiness Transfering Poeples analogue Movies to DVD ,like Old weddings and graduations or what have you....You can also use these Devices to Capture directly to Mpeg2 if you wanted, you just need to use a Mpeg Capture Program Like WinDVR 3.0 which supports captureing from Firewire devices but you would still get better results useing a Standalone encoder.....Well Good Luck...Cheers
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RaidMax Scorpio ATX Case + 5 Led
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fugitive2
Member
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14. March 2004 @ 08:22 |
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md20000, Your purple/green flashes, and sync problems,
can be avoided by the folowing:
Select the Plextor 402 device, only, when you have
your tape running, then click the "record" button.
if you have already the preview "running" and you
switch from STOP/tuner mode, to: PLAY of your vcr/camera, the "capture engine" of the ConvertX,
will be confused, and purple/green flashes, (out of) sync, will be a problem/issue..
Also "gaps" in the recorded material, "rough" edit
points, or old tapes with dropouts (not always visible) are problemmatic, a vcr with TBC could
solve this, so if you have a choice, use best vcr.
Bedankt, Thanks,
Fugitive.
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Member
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14. March 2004 @ 14:40 |
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Sorry about the delayed response. I sold my ConvertX-401 after putting it up against my ADVC-100. The ConvertX was a decent unit but its limited as to which apps you can utilize the thing with. Without the blackbox option for macrovisioned VHS, your ConvertX is good for home movies only and won't archive your other stuff. The ADVC is more flexible and can be used with any number of capturing software and unfortunately, the ConvertX is married to Intervideo's DVD Creator application ONLY. I even wrote to Plextor about this and got back a rather smug response saying roughly: "gee, that's too bad. you have to use it this way or the highway". I chose the highway and am damn glad I did. Now, about those blackboxes. They are critical if you're converting commercial VHS. The Sima unit I have was purchased before the DCMA came into being so they are really hard to find now. Even using the blackbox, I don't have any problems with lines and such. A few posts back I suggested EBay. You may even find a SIMA unit there too. The Sima unit also gives the original VHS signal a bit of a boost. That in turn puts alot of pressure on your rendering software as far as noise goes. I use, as per Minion's suggeston, TMPGEncplus for converting AVI to MPeg. Usually I let it run overnight since it takes a really long time for a 90 or 120min movie to be done with reasonable quality..
Hope that helps..
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