Digital Video Convertor

[Aitch]

I have several videos that I want to put on DVD. I can use Pinnacle 8/9 but it takes so long. I have seen advertised a Plextor PX-AV200U convertor which would appear to do all I want. Is this a quicker/ viable/ simpler way to do it over and above the Pinnacle? I notice it is also compatabile with iPOD which would help out the daughter. I think it retails for around £40-50. Any thoughts or comments as to the Plextor?
Thanks
Aitch

[senu]

Are you planning on using it for MiniDV tapes or analogue source ( VHS Hi 8 ect)
It looks good on paper but if you are coming from MiniDV, It may be worth seeing how long it takes to capture as mpeg via Pinnacle.

There are costlier gadgets like THESE which will give you more for your money .Pinnacle also has its one line bundles with Studio and the DazzlE line

Otherwise, I think a setop DVD recorder ( especially one with HDD ) will serve you better.
In terms of time the settop DVD recorder will digitise in real time
However given the cost of the Plextor gadget, I suppose its worth trying but capturing your Digital footage by as composite video is certainly bound to result in loss of quality
Even by using a settop recorder I was thinking of one which would connect to the camcorder by firewire and keep the video as digital ( and preserving quality) all the way

[Aitch]

I would be using it primarily from Video (Super8 & Hi-8) and just put them onto DVD. I would probably edit them via Pinnacle and/ or Nero but from its description I could also do something and put it on the daughter's iPOD. Interesting link but would probably not want to get up to that price, as I could buy the latest Pinnacle.Thanks for the info, very much appreciated.
Aitch

[senu]

Interesting, how did you capture analogue footage to Pinnacle?

I would have suggested a second hand Sony digital 8 camcorder ( capable of digitising Hi 8 footage to DV AVI "on the fly") but it has to be one with backwards compatibility

Also it would still need to be encoded from DV AVI to mpeg2 for DVD but I imagine the end qualiity would be much better than the Plextor gizmo

Anyway if it doesn't meet your expectations there are alternative methods

[Aitch]

I had a Sony Camcorder, Hi-8, into the VCR and used the basic editing controls on the Camcorder to get the end result onto VCR tape. I then had a Pinnacle lead to connect to the computer from the back of the VCR which allowed me to do more editing and a better overall result. However, the high -8 has now been sold, along with all the leads etc. so I currently have a JVC digital. However, I want to re-edit the original VCR tapes, ie VCR tape to computer, then edit and finally to DVD. The Plextor lead appears to allow me to do this, as well as put a couple of other videos on the Daughter's iPOD. That's the theory, but the practice might be totally different. Don't want it to get too expensive otherwise the link you gave would really open up morre possibilities.
Thanks
Aitch

[senu]

If your JVC has AV in.You could digitise the VCR tapes to MiniDV.
Then capture the footage (now on MiniDV) to the PC via firewire.. just a thought

[Aitch]

Yes the JVC has an AV in. I had forgotten about thta so i will now give it a try. thanks for the suggestions
Aitch