🎬 Capture the Past, Share the Future!
Elgato Video Capture – USB 2.0 Capture Card Device, Easy to Use, Convert Analog to Digital, with VHS VCR TV to DVD Adapter, for Mac, Windows or iPad
Brand | Elgato |
Product Dimensions | 14 x 11.4 x 3.5 cm; 80 g |
Item model number | 1VC108601001 |
Manufacturer | Corsair |
Series | 1VC108601001 |
Colour | White |
Hard Disk Description | Solid State Drive |
Voltage | 5 Volts |
Wattage | 2.5 |
Tuner Technology | NTSC, Analog, Digital, PAL, SECAM |
Power Source | Hand-operated |
Operating System | Windows,Mac |
Are Batteries Included | No |
Lithium Battery Energy Content | 2 Kilowatt Hours |
Lithium Battery Packaging | Batteries packed with equipment |
Lithium Battery Weight | 80 g |
Number Of Lithium Ion Cells | 5 |
Number of Lithium Metal Cells | 5 |
Item Weight | 79.9 g |
Guaranteed software updates until | unknown |
B**E
Straight forward - Easy to install - Good results
Here is my story:Needed to digitise about 30 (!) video8 tapes which were recorded with the SONY Analogue Video8 Handycam Model CCD-TR550E – launched in 1994 for which I paid the handsome sum of £700 from a Sony Shop here in the UK in 1995.So far so good, there was a 12 months warranty on this camera and I had no problems in that time. However, in the 13th (!) month the camera started playing up. It turned out that the cassette motor packed in and needed to be repaired or replaced. So, I had to fork out some £150 to have it repaired. All went fine for a few years until the cassette motor eventually played up again. Well, that was the end of my wonderful (!?) Sony Handycam.Now, all those Video8 tapes were put in the box but couldn't played nor being watched on the TV via the Camcorder. I knew that I wanted to digitise all those tapes on to my PC rather transferring them on to DVD’s.As I didn't have a functioning camcorder anymore I needed to buy one on eBay which would play my old analogue video8 tapes and also being able to transfer them via IEEE-1394 port [wirefire] on to my PC. No problem I thought just check what’s on offer on eBay and there was one which was the Sony Digital 8 Video Camera Recorder DCR-TRV320 which states it plays video8/Hi8/Digital8 tapes. I was exited and thought problem solved. Bought a wirefire cable on Amazon and started connecting the device to my laptop which runs on WIN7 which comes with MovieMaker and which I’ve used before to edit some DVD’s.When I inserted my video8 analogue cassettes in to the Digital camcorder DCR-TRV320 it connected alright and I waited for the video to “roll” – but nothing – all it captured was Gray ! NO pictures at all ! I thought what is going on, read the operating manual back to front – re-plugged, re-connected, but nothing helped.There was no fault with the Digital camcorder as I did a test run ie. recorded/played back and on to the PC – all worked fine. But why on earth is it not playing my old video8 cassettes ? Tried to contact Sony but their support site was down.Searched the web for answers regarding digitising/converting old video8 tapes. Eventually a site which said: Digital8: These camcorders can also play back previously recorded analogue 8mm HI8 tapes using the regular AV connections, but at present cannot convert the analogue 8mm and HI8 recording for direct pass trough to a computer via the IEEE-1394 port [wirefire]I thought , well that’s why it didn’t work !Next day, I contacted one those companies which offer the transfer of allsorts of media onto DVD’s/external harddrive etc. – luckily the man knew what I was talking about and told me that I bought the wrong (!) Digital camcorder for the transfer. Well, I thought he should know ‘cause they need the right equipments to do the job.Anyway, as it turned out my friend happened to have one of those old Sony Video8 analogue camcorders and offered it to me should I need it for the conversion.Next day, checked those Video Capture Devices on the web and the reviews. As I had enough of going through another episode of trial and error I opted for the Elgato Video Capture which is a bit pricey but the reviews were very good. Anyway, connected the gadget to the analogue camcorder, installed the driver u. software which was straight forward. And last not least it worked ! Used MovieMaker to do the editing and other ‘enhancements’ and I think it did a good job. I got the hang of it now and do a bit of tweaking here and there to get the most out of it.Verdict: Hassle-free and straight forward. Did the job as required and didn't let me down.
C**M
A high quality and elegant solution to video capture
I purchased this product after a number of failed attempts to access my archive of analogue sources including VHS, 8mm and Hi8 tapes. Previously I had attempted this with a capture card in a windows PC which more often that not omitted to copy the sound.There was no such problem with the Elgato. As soon as I opened the box, which itself is designed for storing the item and sits nicely on a bookshelf, it was quite obvious what went where.There is no longer a CD containing the software included. This shouldn’t be an issue for most people and there is a link to a free download of the capture program for the MAC. The Elgato gives an impression of being well constructed and has a well designed and unobtrusive footprint.Once downloaded and installed the legato device is detected automatically.Connections are very simple, USB2 on your PC to component RCA ‘female’ connectors (Yellow for video, red and white for audio) to connect to your source. There is also an RCA to SCART convertor supplied which makes connection even easier to a VHS. There is also an S-VHS connector supplied that gives slightly higher picture and sound quality if your source can supply it.One thing to note is that as there are 2 audio connectors a stereo or dual mono signal is expected. When I connected a mono HI8 camcorder sound was only recorded by the PC on the left channel. To correct this during recording you’ll need to a small convertor that will split the mono signal from one RCA to two to give you a ‘dual mono’ signal.After the simple connections the ease with which you can then make a recording should be no surprise. The capture software helps you check that you have sound, then picture and then you click once to record.At this stage there are very few adjustments to be made except to tell the software whether to record for 30, 60 and up to 180 minutes before stopping. This is useful as otherwise recording will continue until you run out of disk space. Strangely there is no option for a 240 minute recording which used to be a common length for VHS tapes. The amount of disk space required depends on the length of the recording and I found that 180 minutes filled about 1.8GB of hard disk space when saved as .MP4.Once your recording is complete you can trim extraneous material at the beginning or end using a simple ‘slider’ tool. Then all that’s left to do is save to a file or directly into iMovie on the Mac or the downloadable Windows software. Once here you can of course tweak the recording as you see fit!This is not the cheapest solution for video transfer but the simplicity and excellent picture and sound quality make the extra expenditure worthwhile. After all you only back up your memories once and the Elgato lets you do it properly.
J**T
You only get what was filmed.
Captured video o.k. Only as good as the film that was taken. Needs sending to videos in order to burn it. Would advise installing O.B.S if you require cleaning and better quality.
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2 months ago
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