So many reviews for devices like this are full of complaints regarding the output quality, both video and audio. I started reviewing the cheaper devices and tried to spend my way out of the bad reviews but I never could. Devices priced from 20 to 120 all carried the same complaints in one form or another. Poor quality output, jagged edges, dropped frames, audio getting out of sync with the video.I was so confused that in the end I finally threw up my hands and ordered the Dazzle. With a few caveats, I'm glad I did. If you care to use the information, this is what I learned:
S-video cable input is needed if you intend to view the output in more than a small computer window. Don't even think you will be happy with TV sized results using only AV cables.
The output is best directed to a hard drive folder and then burned to DVD later. I import the result into a video editor (ULead) and trim and edit as needed. Your tapes are probably like mine and have have multiple unrelated events that should not be on the same DVD.
Don't mess with the computer while copying. I turned off screen savers and updates to prevent disruption.
My machine is a single core Pentium 4, 2.8Ghz , with only 512MB ram, USB2, running Windows XP service pack 3.
I then recommend publishing your movie on your computer first and then import it again to Windows Movie Maker [you should now be able to see it like a regular video file]. This will allow you to trim it and work on it better. Once your movie is ready, choose publish to dvd [Windows DVD maker will open] and then you can burn it. By using these two programs, you will then have the additional benefit of adding music, trimming, etc. Takes more time and a little practice to get the hang of it but it's worth it in my opinion.
I bought this device and had to discard lots of media at first, but after doing this, its now working flawlessly & I have managed to convert 30+ VHS, without damaging any dvd.
I hope this helps :]
Kind regards...After debating about a way to transfer VHS video to DVD, I thought I would take the less expensive (read:cheap) way out. My mistake. Don't make it yourself. The minimum hardware requirements are deceiving. You really need at least a 2GHz or faster processor and basically no other sound or video devices attached.
Upon loading the software, I received the message that the audio driver did not load correctly and that I might have problems when running the program. That was putting it mildly. The program started to run, but showed no video and when the record button was clicked, the message "burn error" displayed. After several attempts at correcting the problem, it was time to explore the forum at Pinnacle software's site.
Finding an identical problem on the forum with no response was foreboding of what was ahead. I called technical support and spoke with an outsourced representative who, after 30 minutes had me try everything I had already tried and then told me they would have to escalate this to level 2 support. Level 2 doesn't use the telephone so I would wait for an email message. Fortunately, that message only took 12 hours to receive. It started with the message: "What seems to be the problem?" However, it did suggest a 17 step fix for the problem I was having. After 16 of the 17 steps the error message came up again and the program did not work.
Long story short. After two more email messages, I received the message: "Thank you for contacting Pinnacle Support. We appreciate you emailing us. If you have the same problem feel free to reply to this email." which, I believe is their way of saying 'we can't fix your problem'. At this point, the solution was clear: return for refund.
I have seen several people who have had this product work fine for them, but I would recommend that you consider very carefully your system requirements before you purchase this device. Or check the forum at Pinnacle software to read what users are saying (or having problems with).
My solution ended up being the Sandisk V-Mate recorder:
SanDisk SDMV1-R V-Mate Video Memory Card Recorder
which does not require a computer at all to record the video/audio and thereby removes the incompatibility factor.
Read Best Reviews of Dazzle DVD Recorder Here
I finally got a video capture to disk (I'd didn't want to burn to DVD right away) with audio totally in synch with the video by following several precautions--this is on a 2.5 GHz Pentium IV system with 1.5GB of RAM:* Disconnect the Internet for safety
* Unload ALL programs--especially those running in the background, like antivirus, firewall, and other security software.
* Clear out about 60GB (for a one hour video) of free disk space for all the many files that will be created.
* Defragment that drive--this seems to be important
* Update the Dazzle drives at the Pinnacle site
* Walk away from the system while it is capturing: don't attempt to do any other work while the Dazzle software is working.
* Pray
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I purchased this to use with a laptop running Vista 64-bit to burn straight to DVD, and the results were very spotty; I've since returned it for a refund.More than half the time, the program would stop recording incoming video from the VCR. I made sure the software and drivers were all up to date, etc., all to no avail, the connection would just drop partway through the recording process. All in all a frustrating experience.
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