Canopus ADVC300 Advanced Digital Video Converter

For years, I've sought a usable solution for converting videotapes to digital video. I've tried a number of units ranging from cheap (don't bother with them) to moderately expensive (still lots of problems). The ADVC300 is the first and only unit I've used that converts lengthy videotapes without losing synch between picture and audio. It is flawless. I have used it with computers running an Intel Dual Core 2.5Ghz CPU, lots of RAM and 7200RPM drives down to a Intel Pentium M running at 1.6Ghz in 1GB of RAM and a relatively slow 5400RPM hard drive. The results are perfect on every machine. I've run the ADVC300 using commercial software, Adobe Premiere Elements, and open source, the venerable and really capable freeware, VirtualDub. Perhaps best of all, the ADVC300 has tools in its own hardware to work a number of adjustments on the incoming signal. If your tapes are worn or poorly exposed or just old, this capability effect changes can be a lifesaver. I haven't had a need to use these capabilities yet, which are by the way, controllable by Canopus supplied software. The unit comes with everything you need: the ADVC300 converter, a 6-pin to 4-wire Firewire cable and a AC power adapter. The supplied manual is on the terse side, but it does explain what you need to know. In any event, with controls like these, you're going to learn by experimentation. Yes, the unit is expensive. Very expensive. But it you want digital copies of your videotapes that will match or even exceed the originals (if the originals are sub-par) and want video and audio that are perfectly synched, I know of no other option.Jerry

Please see important update below:I have just been told by Canopus tech support that the 300 (and, I expect, all similar Canopus products) DONOT WORK WITH THE NEW IMAC, which does not have a 6-pin (FW 400) connector! Canopus is selling this product without having a solution that will allow it to connect with the 9-pin (FW 800) port on the new iMac.The tech person says they've tried adaptors, etc. but have NO solution! They do, of course, have my money.Is it just me, or do others also find this to be outrageous? I am not aware of any warning put out by Canopus.Please tell me I am wrong about this or that there is a workaround. I've heard such great things about this product, bought a 1.5TB drive to use with it and, now, I got nothin'.Important Update:I just spoke with an amiable tech support person at Canopus who said that based on my complaint and the complaints of others, they will notify the relevant parties that the ADVC products can not, at this time, be used with a Mac that only has a 9-pin (FW 800) port.He said they purchased a new iMac to see if various adaptors would work, with no success. They are working on a solution, but it will take some time. There may be a fix later this summer.As disappointed as I was with their prior responses, I am equally pleased with their ultimate response. They have acknowledged the issue, are working to address it and will now disclose the incompatibility issue. Don't know what more they can do than that. Quite frankly, I would like to know why and how Apple decided to eliminate the FW 400 given that so many devices require that port.Finally, I tried to connect the ADVC to an external hard drive and connect it to the computer with a FW400 to 800 cable, but that is not supported and does not work.If any one has any solutions, please let us and Canopus know. For now, I'll use the ADVC on my older MBPro.Hope this has helped.Greg

While I'm not any kind of expert in this field, I do consider myself as a hobbyist. But I've used this unit for a few years now, and I have to say, I wish I hadn't bought it.I've been on several 'video editing' sites/forums, and there's alot of downsides to this unit. Many of the enthusiasts tell me "we're sorry you bought it..."Cons:Support from Canopus (grass valley) is somewhat poor. (try to find drivers, or the software for this unit today) actually, try to find anything but a user manual for it. when it was current, there were no updates for the drivers/software it came with. None for years. I think their main focus is their Professional lineNo support for Mac OSX Lion, or Mountain Lion.only does DV. - From what I understand, it blends your two fields, and then when you edit, and burn to a DVD, you tend to end up with Macroblocks (huge, ghostly pixels).Expensive - I paid just over $700 for this unit back in the day, when it was current.But, if you're only making mpg-4 file videos, (or whatever, Divx, .Mov, etc) it's pretty decent. But if you're looking to capture S-VHS, VHS/PAL whatever, edit, and then burn to a DVD to watch on your TV, look elsewhere.

This piece of equipment was better in it's previous form. The new one no longer comes with a power supply, you are supposed to get that from your firewire card. However if you are using a laptop, and I am, you would have to purchase an additional power supply from the manufacturer, at $35+ shipping and tax. To me this is completely unnaccaptable. They make no mention of it anywhere. They should give to people who ask for it for free. Heck at that point you have already shelled out $250 for this thing and then they try to stick it to you for additional money. Well I have opted not to, I'm going to get a PCMCIA card that supports 6 pin firewire and the crooks at CANOPUS can get money from some other sucker.I only gave it a 3 based on reviews of this product from friends, I hope it works as well as they have said it would.