Difference between revisions of "Video Capture Devices"

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Not all video capture devices are created equal. Here's a list of DVD recorders, capture cards and capture cables, along with what we know about them.
 
Not all video capture devices are created equal. Here's a list of DVD recorders, capture cards and capture cables, along with what we know about them.
  
−
See [http://hdtvlag.googlepages.com/ourtest HDTV Lag] for instructions on how to test a device's lag. The source PC/laptop should be connected to the device and the TV or destination PC/laptop's set to the appropriate channel. Each frame of difference on the screen is 40ms (PAL) or ~33ms (NTSC). Don't assume that your recorder has no lag just because you can't see any.
+
If reading this page to find out whether a specific device is good or not, take it with a grain of salt, as you would with any review. Most of these views are based on one person's experience.
 +
 
 +
See [http://hdtvlag.googlepages.com/ourtest HDTV Lag] for instructions on how to test a recorder's lag. The source PC/laptop should be connected to the recorder, and the recorder's TV set to the appropriate channel. Each F2 (25/30fps) frame of difference on the screen is 40ms (PAL) or ~33ms (NTSC). When working out the lag in ms you should use a median number - e.g. if PAL lag is 2 or 3 frames, the stated lag will be halfway between 80 and 120 (i.e. 100). Bear in mind that high definition TVs also lag, so don't test recorders using them.
 +
 
 +
Don't assume that your recorder has no lag just because you can't see any. Any digital recorder - which includes all these devices - has at least one frame of lag due to the way they work. Because lag is also dependent on the application used, it is not listed for PC capture devices.
 +
 
  
 
Inputs:
 
Inputs:
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'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi HDMI]''' Digital SD/HD. Uses a single connector for video and audio.
 
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi HDMI]''' Digital SD/HD. Uses a single connector for video and audio.
  
−
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK Opt]''' "Optical Audio". Digital. Uses a fibre-optic cable for audio only. Rare.
+
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable Coax]''' "Coaxial audio". Analogue, high quality. Uses a coaxial cable for audio only. Rare.
 +
 
 +
'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK Opt]''' "Optical audio". Digital. Uses a fibre-optic cable for audio only. Rare.
 +
 
 +
Any information on devices we don't have listed, or extra info for those we do, is more than welcome. See the [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,8811.0.html VCD List Topic] on the forum for details. In particular we need supported video modes and lag measurements (see above) for many of the DVD recorders.
  
  
 
==DVD Recorders==
 
==DVD Recorders==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
−
! Model/Title !! Manufacturer !! NTSC !! PAL !! PAL-60 !! HiDef !! Quality !! class="unsortable" | Lag (ms) !! class="unsortable" | Inputs !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Buy
+
! Model/Title !! Manufacturer !! NTSC !! PAL !! PAL-60 !! SECAM !! HiDef !! Quality !! Lag (ms) !! class="unsortable" | Inputs !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Buy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| DVR3004 || Bush || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || Good || ? || RF SCART Cmps SVid || Drive sometimes unresponsive. Occasionally bricks rewritable media. || N/A
+
| MDR515H/F7 || Magnavox || Yes || ? || ? || ? || No || Good || 66.7 || RF Cmps SVid || Source: [http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/dvd_recorders_that_have_no_lag_15.html Poxnor] The MDR515H/F7 is a newer version of the DVDR3576H, seen next on this table.  There is an [http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657 entire family] of these recorders (Magnavox MDR515H/F7, MDR513H/F7, H2160MW9A, H2160MW9 and H2080MW8; and Philips DVDR3576H/37 and DVDR3575H/37).  Note also that, to the best of our knowledge, the DVDR3576H has never been formally timed for lag; its report of zero lag is anecdotal.  The MDR515H/F7 was formally timed to have approximately 66.7 ms of lag, and it is plausible that the entire family of recorders has an identical amount of lag. || [http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-MDR515H-F7-500GB-HDD-and-DVD-R-with-Digital-Tuner/15080509 US] [http://www.amazon.com/Magnavox-MDR515H-500GB-DVD-R-Digital/dp/B004PYDE1E/ International]
 
|-
 
|-
−
| RDR-HXD870, 970, 1070 || Sony || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || Good || ~100 || RF SCART Cmps SVid || Must switch between PAL and NTSC through system menu. Cannot record, edit or erase PAL video while in NTSC mode and vice versa. || [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-RDR-HXD870-Recorder-160GB-Freeview/dp/B000OQ7878/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221270984&sr=8-1 UK]  
+
| DVDR3576H || Philips || Yes || ? || ? || ? || No || ? || 0 || RF Cmps SVid || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,9228.msg259859.html#msg259859 nate, Humorisk, Essentia] || [http://www.amazon.com/Philips-DVDR3576H-Recorder-160GB-Built/dp/B0013WM0BQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top US]
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| DVR3004 || Bush || Yes || Yes || Yes || ? || No || Good || ? || RF SCART Cmps SVid || Drive sometimes unresponsive. Occasionally bricks rewritable media. Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=409 bmn] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| DVDR3475/37 || Philips || Yes || ? || ? || ? || No || Good || ? || RF Cmps SVid || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php?topic=9221.msg329300#msg329300 arkarian] || [http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Philips-Philips-HDMI-DVD-Recorder-with-1080p-Conversion]
 +
|-
 +
| RDR-HXD870, 970, 1070 || Sony || Yes || Yes || Yes || ? || No || Good || 100 || RF SCART Cmps SVid || Must switch between PAL and NTSC through system menu. Cannot record, edit or erase PAL video while in NTSC mode and vice versa. Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=409 bmn] || [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-RDR-HXD870-Recorder-160GB-Freeview/dp/B000OQ7878/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221270984&sr=8-1 UK]
 +
|-
 +
| ? || Presidian || Yes || ? || ? || ? || No || Average || ? || ? || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg61308.html#msg61308 t r i - h e x] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| DVR-233-S || Pioneer || Yes || ? || ? || ? || ? || Good || ? || RF Cmps More? || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg61309.html#msg61309 t r i - h e x] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| DVR90VF || Sylvania || Yes || ? || ? || ? || ? || ? || ? || RF Cmps SVid More? || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg61318.html#msg61318 grndino] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| MRV660/17 || Magnavox || Yes || ? || ? || ? || ? || Good || ? || RF Cmps SVid Cmpn More? || Bricks discs. Crashes. Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg61327.html#msg61327 Lord_VG] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| DNR-ES20 || Panasonic || Yes || ? || ? || ? || No || ? || ? || RF Cmps SVid || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg61672.html#msg61672 Lord_VG] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| DMR-ES40VS || Panasonic || Yes || ? || ? || ? || No || ? || ? || RF Cmps SVid || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg61925.html#msg61925 InsipidMuckyWater] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| DVDR520H/00 || Philips || Yes || Yes || ? || ? || No || ? || ? || RF SCART Cmps || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg62089.html#msg62089 Raven75] || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| A30 || Andersson || ? || Yes || ? || ? || No || Good || ? || RF SCART Cmps SVid Opt || Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,3191.msg71363.html#msg71363 HidoiMidoriRyuu] || N/A
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
  
 
==PC Video Capture Cards==
 
==PC Video Capture Cards==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
−
! Model/Title !! Manufacturer !! NTSC !! PAL !! PAL-60 !! HiDef !! Quality !! class="unsortable" | Lag (ms) !! class="unsortable" | Inputs !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Buy
+
! Model/Title !! Manufacturer !! NTSC !! PAL !! PAL-60 !! SECAM !! HiDef !! Quality !! class="unsortable" | Inputs !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Buy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Intensity Pro || Blackmagic || Yes || Yes || Yes || 1080i 720p || Good || ? || Cmps Cmpn SVid HDMI || N/A || [http://www.blackmagic-design.com/resellers/ World]
+
| C027 || AverMedia || Yes || ?|| ? || ? || 1080i 720p || Excellent || Cmps Cmpn SVid HDMI || Need PCI-e x1 slot.  Composite, Component, and S-Video use a cable the plugs into the other "HDMI" slot. Source: [http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/debating_on_recording_format_for_a_capture_device.html Sir VG] || [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SQE1O0 US]
 +
|-
 +
| Intensity Pro || Blackmagic || Yes || Yes || Yes || ? || 1080i 720p || Good || Cmps Cmpn SVid HDMI || Includes lagless passthrough cloned to all outputs. Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,8811.msg245421.html#msg245421 CMiller], [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=409 bmn] || [http://www.blackmagic-design.com/resellers/ World]
 +
|-
 +
| SweetSpot Video Processor || PluggedIn.tv || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || No || Good || Cmps Cmpn SVid SCART* || SCART only using custom-made cable. Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,8811.msg245517.html#msg245517 Andrew_Mills] || [http://www.pluggedin.tv/store/SweetSpot_Video_Processor.html World]  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
  
 
==PC USB Video Capture Cables==
 
==PC USB Video Capture Cables==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
−
! Model/Title !! Manufacturer !! NTSC !! PAL !! PAL-60 !! HiDef !! Quality !! class="unsortable" | Lag (ms) !! class="unsortable" | Inputs !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Buy
+
! Model/Title !! Manufacturer !! NTSC !! PAL !! PAL-60 !! SECAM !! HiDef !! Quality !! class="unsortable" | Inputs !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Buy
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| Movie Capture Video Xpress USBAV-192-EF || ADS Tech || Yes || Yes || No || Yes || No || Very Bad || Cmps SVid || No drivers for Vista. Hard to get working. Unstable software. Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php/topic,8811.msg245431.html#msg245431 MortyreR45] || [http://www.amazon.com/ADS-USBAV-192-EF-Movie-Capture-Xpress/dp/B000MTUQKS US]
 
|-
 
|-
−
|}
+
| GameBridge AVC-1400 || Adaptec || || || || || || || || || [http://www.amazon.co.uk/2179900-Adaptec-GameBridge-AVC-1400/dp/B000DLBAFU UK]
 +
|-
 +
| Hi-Speed USB 2.0 DVD Creator || Belkin || || || || || || || Cmps SVid || || [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Hi-Speed-USB-2-0-Creator/dp/B00008KIUI UK]
 +
|-
 +
| Ez Grabber || Techgear || Yes || Yes || Yes || Yes || ? || Average/Good || Cmps SVid || Video mode must be changed manually, defaults to NTSC whenever the device is inserted. No audio in apps that don't recognise the video device as an audio device (e.g. DScaler). Can't capture natively at D4 (uStream.tv, Justin.tv et al). Source: [http://speeddemosarchive.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=409 bmn] || [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grabber-designed-capture-source-editing/dp/B000S0QIPI UK]
 +
|-
 +
| Dazzle DVD Recorder || Pinnacle Systems || Yes || Yes || Partially || Yes || || || Cmps SVid || PAL-60 works if you switch back and forth between SECAM and NTSC although darker colors will blend together horribly. Some days it will refuse to work and instead give you a bluescreen.
 +
|| [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pinnacle-Systems-Dazzle-DVD-Recorder/dp/B001918NLC UK]

Latest revision as of 20:50, 13 January 2013

Not all video capture devices are created equal. Here's a list of DVD recorders, capture cards and capture cables, along with what we know about them.

If reading this page to find out whether a specific device is good or not, take it with a grain of salt, as you would with any review. Most of these views are based on one person's experience.

See HDTV Lag for instructions on how to test a recorder's lag. The source PC/laptop should be connected to the recorder, and the recorder's TV set to the appropriate channel. Each F2 (25/30fps) frame of difference on the screen is 40ms (PAL) or ~33ms (NTSC). When working out the lag in ms you should use a median number - e.g. if PAL lag is 2 or 3 frames, the stated lag will be halfway between 80 and 120 (i.e. 100). Bear in mind that high definition TVs also lag, so don't test recorders using them.

Don't assume that your recorder has no lag just because you can't see any. Any digital recorder - which includes all these devices - has at least one frame of lag due to the way they work. Because lag is also dependent on the application used, it is not listed for PC capture devices.


Inputs:

RF Analogue SD, low quality. Uses coaxial cable for audio and video. AKA "TV aerial plug", "PAL connector".

Cmps "Composite video". Analogue SD, medium quality. Uses a yellow RCA plug for video and one (white) or two (white/red) RCA plugs for audio.

SVid "S-Video". Analogue SD, high quality. Uses a black 4-pin Mini-DIN plug for video and RCA plugs (as Composite) for audio.

SCART Analogue SD, very high quality. Uses large rectangular connector for audio and video. AKA "Péritel", "Euroconnector". Europe only.

Cmpn "Component video". Analogue SD/HD, very high quality. Uses three (red/green/blue) RCA plugs for video and red/white RCA plugs for audio.

HDMI Digital SD/HD. Uses a single connector for video and audio.

Coax "Coaxial audio". Analogue, high quality. Uses a coaxial cable for audio only. Rare.

Opt "Optical audio". Digital. Uses a fibre-optic cable for audio only. Rare.

Any information on devices we don't have listed, or extra info for those we do, is more than welcome. See the VCD List Topic on the forum for details. In particular we need supported video modes and lag measurements (see above) for many of the DVD recorders.


DVD Recorders

Model/Title Manufacturer NTSC PAL PAL-60 SECAM HiDef Quality Lag (ms) Inputs Notes Buy
MDR515H/F7 Magnavox Yes  ?  ?  ? No Good 66.7 RF Cmps SVid Source: Poxnor The MDR515H/F7 is a newer version of the DVDR3576H, seen next on this table. There is an entire family of these recorders (Magnavox MDR515H/F7, MDR513H/F7, H2160MW9A, H2160MW9 and H2080MW8; and Philips DVDR3576H/37 and DVDR3575H/37). Note also that, to the best of our knowledge, the DVDR3576H has never been formally timed for lag; its report of zero lag is anecdotal. The MDR515H/F7 was formally timed to have approximately 66.7 ms of lag, and it is plausible that the entire family of recorders has an identical amount of lag. US International
DVDR3576H Philips Yes  ?  ?  ? No  ? 0 RF Cmps SVid Source: nate, Humorisk, Essentia US
DVR3004 Bush Yes Yes Yes  ? No Good  ? RF SCART Cmps SVid Drive sometimes unresponsive. Occasionally bricks rewritable media. Source: bmn N/A
DVDR3475/37 Philips Yes  ?  ?  ? No Good  ? RF Cmps SVid Source: arkarian [1]
RDR-HXD870, 970, 1070 Sony Yes Yes Yes  ? No Good 100 RF SCART Cmps SVid Must switch between PAL and NTSC through system menu. Cannot record, edit or erase PAL video while in NTSC mode and vice versa. Source: bmn UK
 ? Presidian Yes  ?  ?  ? No Average  ?  ? Source: t r i - h e x N/A
DVR-233-S Pioneer Yes  ?  ?  ?  ? Good  ? RF Cmps More? Source: t r i - h e x N/A
DVR90VF Sylvania Yes  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ? RF Cmps SVid More? Source: grndino N/A
MRV660/17 Magnavox Yes  ?  ?  ?  ? Good  ? RF Cmps SVid Cmpn More? Bricks discs. Crashes. Source: Lord_VG N/A
DNR-ES20 Panasonic Yes  ?  ?  ? No  ?  ? RF Cmps SVid Source: Lord_VG N/A
DMR-ES40VS Panasonic Yes  ?  ?  ? No  ?  ? RF Cmps SVid Source: InsipidMuckyWater N/A
DVDR520H/00 Philips Yes Yes  ?  ? No  ?  ? RF SCART Cmps Source: Raven75 N/A
A30 Andersson  ? Yes  ?  ? No Good  ? RF SCART Cmps SVid Opt Source: HidoiMidoriRyuu N/A

PC Video Capture Cards

Model/Title Manufacturer NTSC PAL PAL-60 SECAM HiDef Quality Inputs Notes Buy
C027 AverMedia Yes  ?  ?  ? 1080i 720p Excellent Cmps Cmpn SVid HDMI Need PCI-e x1 slot. Composite, Component, and S-Video use a cable the plugs into the other "HDMI" slot. Source: Sir VG US
Intensity Pro Blackmagic Yes Yes Yes  ? 1080i 720p Good Cmps Cmpn SVid HDMI Includes lagless passthrough cloned to all outputs. Source: CMiller, bmn World
SweetSpot Video Processor PluggedIn.tv Yes Yes Yes Yes No Good Cmps Cmpn SVid SCART* SCART only using custom-made cable. Source: Andrew_Mills World

PC USB Video Capture Cables

Model/Title Manufacturer NTSC PAL PAL-60 SECAM HiDef Quality Inputs Notes Buy
Movie Capture Video Xpress USBAV-192-EF ADS Tech Yes Yes No Yes No Very Bad Cmps SVid No drivers for Vista. Hard to get working. Unstable software. Source: MortyreR45 US
GameBridge AVC-1400 Adaptec UK
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 DVD Creator Belkin Cmps SVid UK
Ez Grabber Techgear Yes Yes Yes Yes  ? Average/Good Cmps SVid Video mode must be changed manually, defaults to NTSC whenever the device is inserted. No audio in apps that don't recognise the video device as an audio device (e.g. DScaler). Can't capture natively at D4 (uStream.tv, Justin.tv et al). Source: bmn UK
Dazzle DVD Recorder Pinnacle Systems Yes Yes Partially Yes Cmps SVid PAL-60 works if you switch back and forth between SECAM and NTSC although darker colors will blend together horribly. Some days it will refuse to work and instead give you a bluescreen. UK
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