Converter Recommendation
 

Hello everybody, I'm KIND OF a newbie, so to speak. I need an analog to digital/digital to analog media converter. Any body know of a particulary good one, or know of a website that does?

Thank you,
Kris

Kris,
Aside from cameras like the GL2 that perform this function there are a few of these on the market. I have a Dazzle DV Bridge which works pretty well and is reasonably priced. (My colleague, Jeff Donald, has used one for sale here.)

Do you know of a site that would review several different converters? I just want to be sure I'm getting a good one for my money. I've seen about three of these around. What do people think of these three: Canopus ADVC-100 Advanced Digital, Dazzle DM2200 Hollywood DV-Bridge, Datavideo DAC 100 DV Converter (DAC-100)? Or are there some other good ones available that I just haven't found?

These threads give you an idea about real world experience with various convertors.

http://www.lafcpug.org/phorum/read.p...=29857&t=29850
http://www.lafcpug.org/phorum/read.p...=24544&t=24538

I've used the discontinued Sony DVMAC-2 or whatever the model number was. It is a great converter. Now Canopus seems to rule from what I've heard, not experienced.

You can purchase a camera that will also do this but these tend to be closer to the top of the line cameras.

I've seen people trying to buy used cameras where the electronics work but something else is broken. Should work OK if you can find one of those.

A good convertor should handle 7.5IRE setup properly. Cheap decks and consumer cameras don't do this.

Ok, that helps, but now I'm more confused to some extent. I know my sony dv cam can convert to some extent, I was just under the impression, for whatever reason, that that would produce a lower quality than a stand alone box, is that true?

Not really. Most of them have the same hardware from one or two suppliers.

Canopus ADVC-100. Extremely reliable transfers. No fooling around.

I vote for the Canopus too. Have had great experiences with everything Canopus makes.

Just a side comment. If you don't mind used equipment, you can buy a used Canopus DVRexM1 card for around $350. You get a great editing card and good s-Video and RCA sound in and out plus the firewire (proprietary) connection.

If you go to other sites and compare what is being discussed, you will find two things 1) most are discussing why they can't capture worth a damn. 2) the canopus people are discussing techniques for the most part. Canopus products work without a lot of B.S.