Upgrading from BT878 to Canopus ADVC100

[YZ_-Freak]

I currently use a BT 878 card capturing to a 160 gig RAID 0 array @ 512x384 using Huffyuv in YUY2 capturing with VirtualVCR. The only problem I have ever had with this setup is audio drift after about 15 minutes. I have to caputure in segments, then edit back together later ( this is just very time consuming overall). So, I have decided to purchase a ADVC100 mainly because of the locked audio feature, but I also believe I can get better captures with the ADVC100. But the more I read the threads on the device the more contradictions I come across.

I understand the device does not come with any software. I have read to make sure the lock audio feature box is checked. To which app is this in reference to? (WinDV ? )
Also, there are several posts on this forum stating that VirtualDub can not be used to edit the output from the ADVC100. But on the Canopus forum, it would seem that many of the ADVC100 users use VD. I know there is a type 1 and 2 DV, and that VD can only handle type 1, so is there some kind of Mod to get VD to handle the DV output? or can VD work with both types now?

Basically, what application are ADVC100 user's using to import the data to the computer with, and can VirtualDub be used to edit the video?

[IJM]

I understand the device does not come with any software.True. It doesn't. Or at least mine didn't anyway.

I have read to make sure the lock audio feature box is checked. To which app is this in reference to?I use Scenalyzer Live to capture. In Options, under the Audio tab, the checkbox "keep DV-Audio in-sync" was checked by default.

Also, there are several posts on this forum stating that VirtualDub can not be used to edit the output from the ADVC100. But on the Canopus forum, it would seem that many of the ADVC100 users use VD. I know there is a type 1 and 2 DV, and that VD can only handle type 1, so is there some kind of Mod to get VD to handle the DV output?Virtualdub can process (already captured) Type 2 DV files without any special mods. It's Type 1 DV files that it cannot handle. You will, of course, need a DV codec, but I figure you already know that.

Basically, what application are ADVC100 user's using to import the data to the computer with, and can VirtualDub be used to edit the video?There are several applications out there that can be used to capture the datastreams. Of the ones I've tried, all will create either Type 1 or Type 2 files. Freeware, I've used Windows Movie Maker and WinDV. But, I prefer to use Scenalyzer Live, which unfortunately is Payware, but is feature filled.

I hope this is of some help.

Ian.

[jfcarbel]

I also have a ADVC-100, can you explain why you prefer Scenalyzer Live as compared to other solutions. And what other ADVC-100 solutions have you used.

Thanks.

[jzaman]

Scenanalyzer Live is very flexible and it has an excellent scheduler. You can set the time to start and stop. I capture DV AVI (12gb/hr) through an ADVC-100 via Scenanalyzer and the quality has always been excellent

[YZ_-Freak]

I should get the ADVC100 next week. My family already has about 50 tapes that were transfers from home movie film they want transfered to DVD. I should have kept my mouth shut on the purchase.
Thanks for the input.

[IJM]

Hi,

I've tried several bits of DV capturing software, specifically: WinDV, Microsoft's Windows Movie Maker and Scenalyzer.

WinDV was too basic. I couldn't set a recording timer. It does let you split files by so you don't exceed your system's file size limitations, but oddly, you have to specify this by number of frames.

Windows Movie Maker. You can set a timer on this and you can split files down to keep them below 4Gb. I use NTSC under WinXP and so don't have a problem with the 4Gb limit. But when I captured a 20Gb Type 2 file; nothing would read it. I tried capturing into <4Gb files instead, and it worked, but then I had to muck about to join them back together.

Scenalyzer Live. I got the latest version (v2.1 Build: 28 Jul 28 2003). This has a sophisticated scheduler, but capturing from VHS, all I ever use is the Stop Timer. This way, I can set it to capture for 1hr 35mins (or whatever) and then leave it to do it's thing. It will split your capture into files, but I don't need this. Capturing into one 20Gb file, nothing had a problem reading it. Furthermore, there are various types of AVI files it will create beyond simply Type 1 or Type 2. I use the "Canopus compatible" one; it creates a Type 2 AVI file with a fourcc code of CDVC, so I don't have to muck around with it to use the Canopus CODEC to read it.

I hope this is useful.

Ian.

[Fugitive2]

I guess you all use NTFS now, Scenalizer also can be used with
FAT32 through its special feature, but i guess i'll switch too
to NTFS.
Then there's also AVI_IO i guess, but this one 's also not for free,
i've read something about a Windows Media Driver, but couldn't
find a link to download it, maybe it's a setting in XP ?
found only info that refered to Windows98..
Use DVD Director (Sonic) to author my MPEG's but it started to re-encode them again...
Because i want to use DVDLab to author, i'm now searching for an
easy way to capture and encode to MPEG2...:(