Best External Video Capture

[rotty]

I have a very anoying problem. I have a Toshiba "Media" laptop, F20 137. I had S-Video out but only Composite video in. This means I want an external capture unit (usb/firewire).
People here obviously have vast experience in this field, I wondered if any one could let me know the best unit for this.
Have had problems in the past with units locking up/constant crashing etc.
Would be very gratful for any advice.
Thanks

[The_Fugitive]

Check out Canopus, for a Firewire capture box, like the ADVC100, this one has its audio locked, so it will never get out of sync with the picture, like so many (usb) devices will do, and it has also a special mode to defeat Macrovision, which is sometimes used on VHS tapes.

DataVideo has also a good model, which is a cheaper one,
but also uses Firewire. (about $200) the DAC100, but i don't have experience with this one you should check out other users for this.

[Mug Funky]

please, don't ask what's best :) it's a bit of a loaded question as i'm sure you can imagine (there's also a forum rule about it - it's caused a lot of arguments).

if you want DV, the canopus stuff is pretty good. (i didn't know about the macrovision thing on the ADVC100. the 110 doesn't appear to have this, but i haven't tested it on a macrovision tape).

if you want anything else, you'll have to search - i've only used the ADVC or Decklink stuff, which is useless for analog.

of course, DVD recorders are starting to get really good now. they have pretty nice comb filters too, so if you use composite you'll get a good picture too.