canopus advc-110 vs canopus advc-300
I am deciding which one to buy to convert my analog tapes to digital. What are the major differences? Has anyone worked with both of these models?
I have used only a Canopus ADVC-100 for the same purpose, but not the 300. All I can say is that I got excellent results both converting tapes to digital (for editing in the computer) and subsequently exporting the digital back to a set-top DVD recorder via the Canopus (before I had a DVD burner for my computer). For some reason, perhaps due to some format issue, I had to use the Canopus' digital-to-analogue feature to export the edited video to the DVD recorder rather than the ISO 1394 (Firewire) digital link. The DVD recorder, a Sony RDR-GX7, has an ISO 1394 (a.k.a iLink, like Firewire) input but would not record the output signal from my Mac. In any event the DVDs I produced were still excellent with no apparent degradation in audio or video. I did this whilst I was still using Mac OS 9.2.2.
By the way, if you are backing up commercial tapes with Macrovision protection, hold down the "Input Select" button of the Canopus ADVC for several seconds after you turn the unit on and Macrovision will be removed as you play through to your computer. This must be done each time you turn on the Canopus. Alternately, if your VCR has a "video stabilizer" in its settings, turn the Video Stabilizer to ON before exporting VHS video to any other recording device.
If a VHS tape has Macrovision protection the re-recorded video will be unstable. Macrovison destabilizes the automatic gain control of recorders but this action is countered if the VCR has a Video Stabilizer function. Hardware video stabilizers can also be purchased on the Internet. Television sets don't have automatic gain control so are unaffected by Macrovision, which is why VCRs should be connected directly to the TV set and not via another recording device-- unless the playing VCR has a Video Stabilizer function that is turned on.
By the way, if you are backing up commercial tapes with Macrovision protection, hold down the "Input Select" button of the Canopus ADVC for several seconds after you turn the unit on and Macrovision will be removed as you play through to your computer. This must be done each time you turn on the Canopus. Alternately, if your VCR has a "video stabilizer" in its settings, turn the Video Stabilizer to ON before exporting VHS video to any other recording device.
If a VHS tape has Macrovision protection the re-recorded video will be unstable. Macrovison destabilizes the automatic gain control of recorders but this action is countered if the VCR has a Video Stabilizer function. Hardware video stabilizers can also be purchased on the Internet. Television sets don't have automatic gain control so are unaffected by Macrovision, which is why VCRs should be connected directly to the TV set and not via another recording device-- unless the playing VCR has a Video Stabilizer function that is turned on.