Video Conversion
Analogue to Digital Conversion
Analogue/Digital Conversion
Video Converter. High picture quality preservation
and A/V synchronization, Grass Valley video converters, engineered by Canopus,
are compatible with all video cameras, decks and editing systems, whether
Windows-based or
Mac OS-based.DVD's to DV Video for use in your computer video editing
program
1. The ADVC55 - $175 to $220
2. The ADVC110 - $217 to $235
Convert VHS, S-VHS (DVDs) and Hi8 analog videotapes
to DV - Digital Video in one simple step.
Canopus: http://www.canopus.com/
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Buy from a Canopus Dealer in
California | mail
order |
High-quality Analog-to-Digital Video
Conversion
Use ADVC55 to connect VHS, Hi8 and other analog video
equipment to a DV camera, deck or editing system. ADVC55 is a compact and
easy to use digital video converter compatible with Windows® and Mac
OS® computers. ADVC55 is ideal for capturing analog video into FireWire-equipped
notebook and desktop editing computers. There are no drivers to install
and ADVC55 does not require a power supply when used with a 6-pin DV cable.
ADVC55: http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC55/index.php
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Review: Canopus ADVC55 AV Digitiser
The ADVC55 provides an easy solution to the problem
of of converting your existing VHS and 8mm video recordings to digital
using FireWire. Here's what we think of it. Canopus is a market-leader
in the production and supply of devices that will convert your precious
analogue VHS and 8mm video footage to DV. Although many users with DV-input
camcorders will be able to perform a conversion without the need for a
separate unit, there are others who either prefer not to tie up a camcorder
for this purpose, or wish to have a dedicated unit that can be connected
to a computer.
Design and Layout
The ADVC55 is a pocket-sized unit that is seemingly
perfect for keeping handy when a quick and easy connection is required
to convert analogue source material to digital video via the FireWire connection
on a computer or VCR. It has an attractive brushed-aluminium casing and
is very light and unobtrusive. In fact, its design and functionality couldn't
be easier - simply connect up either composite video RCA Phono plug or
S-Video and twin RCA Phono audio connectors at one end, plug in a 6-pin
FireWire (OHCI-compliant, IEEE1394) cable in the other end and plug that,
in turn, into the computer. The unit is clearly marked with Input and Output
information, and a 6v DC socket is supplied for connection of an optional
external power supply. A set of DIP Switches is also included on the back
of the unit for more precise selection of input/output compatibility settings.
DS1, for instance, is used to select either NTSC or PAL input. DS3 selects
either input level 0dB or +15dB.
What's in the box
The package includes a 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable
and a 16-page User Manual. The latter contains the immortal line "Stop
using the unit when smoking", which one assumes to refer to the potential
dangers of using the device if it overheats!
Installation and operation
After setting DS1 to the preferred video standard
(PAL, NTSC and also SECAM), all that's required is to provide an input
from an analogue source. This can be a VHS or S-VHS player, or indeed any
analogue camcorder (S-VHS, VHS, Hi-8, Video-8) capable of providing either
a composite or S-Video output. The supplied 6-pin FireWire cable should
be plugged into an available FireWire socket on either a Windows or Apple
Mac OSX computer. It should be noted that when used in this manner,
an independent power supply is not required because the DC is supplied
via the FireWire connection (provided a 6-pin cable is used). In other
cases, the optional power supply should be used. The FireWire cable will
connect to an available FireWire socket that has been set up for use for
video capture (such as an installed PCI FireWire card, a hard-wired socket
or - in the case of Apple Macs - any FireWire socket at all).
Sales
Info $217 |
ADVC110
High-quality Bidirectional Analog/Digital Video Conversion
Use ADVC110 to connect all analog and digital video
cameras, decks and editing systems. ADVC110 is a portable and easy-to-use
digital video converter compatible with Windows and Mac OS computers. ADVC110
is the ideal device for capturing and outputting analog video from any
FireWire-equipped notebook and desktop computer. There are no drivers to
install and ADVC110 does not require a power supply when used with a 6-pin
FireWire cable.
ADVC110 http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC110/index.php
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ADVC110
Excellent Standalone DV to Analogue & Analogue
to DV convertor.
Doesn't require mains power and allows firewire equipped
PC, MAC and laptop users to capture and output analogue video.
Canopus ADVC110 - Siren ReviewThe ADVC110 has essentially the same functionality
and performance as the ADVC100 but with the added ability to take it's
power from a 6-pin firewire socket (saving on plug sockets and trailing
leads). Oh, and it's white!
To that end, there's not much to say except to re-iterate
the quality of the Canopus convertors with a reminder of our thoughts on
the ADVC100.
ADVC100 Review
"We've tried a number of analogue to digital convertors
in the past, and while they've generally given decent results, there have
usually been one or more issues with each specific unit. Some have simply
been unreliable in long term use, there have also been issues with video
standard detection (PAL or NTSC), some even had problems with audio drift
on long captures and difficulty coping with drop-out (where the picture
breaks up and/or the signal loses strength) from analogue sources, often
aborting conversion when drop-out was encountered. We were excited when
we found out that Canopus' hardware development team were working on their
own A-D convertor. Canopus have always been renowned for developing their
own hardware and software technology, with an emphasis on quality and reliability,
their excellent range of editing cards are testament to this, so we hoped
that the ADVC-100 unit would follow suit.
We weren't disappointed, as well a being a tidy and
robust little unit, in our initial testing the ADVC-100 didn't display
any of the issues mentioned above. Conversion quality is excellent and
PAL/NTSC selection is perfomed simply by the user using a DIP switch on
the base of the ADVC. The unit supports locked audio and the timing on
unlocked audio is also sychronised perfectly, so drift isn't a problem
even on long captures.
When capturing from even the ropiest of VHS tapes,
the frequent signal drop-outs don't seem to phase it at all. As for reliablity,
the number of units we've seen which have developed faults in long-term
use is still in single figures, compared against the hundreds we've sold
since it's release. Canopus have once again delivered the goods in terms
of both quality and relibility."
So if you have a Firewire card in your computer or
are using an Mac or a laptop with a powered 6-pin DV port, then the ADVC-110
is an excellent way of using these with your existing analogue camcorder
without adding to the proliferation of cables that accompany most PCs these
days. It's very easy to use and the quality of the video output is great
thanks to Canopus' excellent DV codec.
If your DV port is only 4-pin or is not powered, go
for the ADVC100. If you don’t already have a DV capture card or Firewire
port then the Matrox RT.X10, the Matrox RT.X100 or Canopus' DVStorm 2 Pro
will allow you to capture from both Analogue and DV sources as well as
adding realtime capabilities and great value software bundles.
ADVC-110 - more information from Siren
Review |
Canopus ADVC-110 video capture box
Pros: Reliable, easy setup, straightforward. Cons:
Perhaps a little expensive.
After a series of expensive disappointments with Pinnacle
products, I broke down and bought a Canopus ADVC-110 video capture box.
This time I lucked out. I have an extensive collection of VHS tapes which
I am converting to digital files. After connecting the Canopus box, I found
that it does the job with excellence. No dropped frames, using firewire,
1.5 GB of RAM, and a 3200+ Athlon processor. Of course the process takes
time, but you can "set it and forget it" and do something else. I have
had no experience with Canopus support, since I didn't need any. There
is a minor problem when all the required cables are attached, including
firewire: The box is rather lightweight compared with the Pinnacle box,
and it tends to flip over easily or get dragged away by the cables (I use
Belkin heavy duty cables). This is a solid buy. I had to pay about $230,
but you are getting a reliable product that performs exactly as claimed,
perhaps a little better. It is unfortunate that Pinnacle through splashy
marketing hype has lured so many folks away from this quality product.
Highly recommended. ePinions
review.
JOHN
LONGENECKER
