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jethro
12-27-2003, 07:08 PM
Hi all, i'm using a Miglia "Directors Cut 2" (http://miglia.com/products/video/director2/index.html) box in the field right now, to capture analog video (live feed) via FCP. This video being captured and played back is for reference only (instant playback capabilites) while being fed a video feed from a film camera video tap.

After various takes, i need to play back the video off the drive, and then switch back to capture mode for more recording. It is imperative that it works smoothly, going from capture to playback and then back to capture again.

The Miglia box seems to have some glitches and does not work smooth at all. It works better on my desktop but my powerbook doesn't like it at all. (pbook g4 400/768mbRAM/FCP 4.1 --- g4 450 1.25mbRAM/FCP 4.1)

The box works fine for capture, but for playback mode it chokes the system down, having various glitches such as blocky pixelation of the output, making the computer drop frames, blanking out the screen totally for a second then coming back etc. Powering down the Miglia sometimes resets it, but it really makes for a bad time when all I want to do is play back and see the video on a monitor.

The powerbook seemed to work a 'little' better after i started using a PC card firewire adapter as a separate firewire input for the capture drive (external 7200rpm firewire). I had a hub running off the main firewire port on the rear of the powerbook but i think having the drive and Miglia box hooked up was too much data for the connection.

I have tried my TRV-900 as an alternative Analog converter, which works fine with both computers. The Miglia box bogs the system like crap and I need recommendations for a box that can do this without causing the computer to bog. I've always used a camera for converting the signal for NTSC monitoring. I've seen other boxes that can do this...

Aviosys DV Xtream (http://www.globalmediapro.com/video/products/Aviosys_DV_Xtream_DVanalog_Converter_with_YUV_Inpu t--699.html)

spcomms.com (http://www.spcomms.com/dvconverter/)

dv direct box same as above but different name... (http://www.dvdirect.com/shop/product.asp?sku=TVO5067)

ADS Pyro AV Link (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dvstore/adspyravlind.html)

DAZZLE (who came up with this name?) (http://www.str8buy.com/dahodvpcfidi.html)


any advice?

thanks!
j.

Ned_Soltz
12-28-2003, 03:31 PM
The only box which I recommend is the Canopus product. Director's Cut is just as bad as you describe it.

Ned Soltz
2-pop Guide

jethro
12-28-2003, 06:40 PM
Hey thanks Ned... so you've had good luck with the Canopus ADVC-100 ? they also have the ADVC-500 but i believe that has component in/out and i don't really need that...($1400!)...I just need something that is reliable and can in/out analog signals through DV codec...not too much to ask for...

i see there is no capture/export switch on the ADVC-100, i guess the unit will sense whether or not signal is coming in or out? whether or not the log & capture window is open?

Today i had a project to drop to tape and HAD to use my Sony camera for outputting the analog signal...otherwise the system just wouldn't do it...

Ned_Soltz
12-28-2003, 08:25 PM
The strength of the Canopus unit is its Canopus DV codec which holds up quite well. Yes, the AVDC-500 is component and if, for example, you were transcoding from a deck with component out to firewire, it would be the optimal unit. If you merely want to go composite or s-video, I think that is the unit for you. Yes, it can sense which way the signal is going.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Ned

jethro
01-13-2004, 07:50 PM
I'll tell ya, this Canopus box ADVC-100 is ROCK SOLID. I have been using it on set for 2 weeks straight now and it works very well. Only a couple times did i have to power down and repower, but i'm doing a lot of work, back and forth push pull of signal and really working the computer. Ned's recommendation saved my ass on these jobs. Cheers to the web and how great it is that we can share the knowledge.

j.