ADS PYRO?

[Ron]

OK, quick video question for the experts.

Is the ADS PYRO A/V Link Video Converter the way to go to capture TO DV? Or are there better alternatives (for the money)? It seems pretty pricey for what it is; where can one find the cheapest price? Would eBay be a safe bet or should I go new? I've heard that it can be persnickety.

[Chuck Engels]

Hi Ron

The Pyro Link is for capturing analog video, not DV. Usually DV is captured directly via Firewire.

If you do need a digital converter I recommend any of the Canopus models, they are not cheap but they work great. There are various capture cards out there for under $100, most of them are very hard to get working and/or have terrible quality. I highly recommend spending the extra money it is well worth it to avoid all of the potential headaches.

[Ron]

So the ADS PYRO doesn't convert from analog to digital? I may just have the terms wrong.

I want to capture video (from a Hi-8, VHS or DVR) to a format other than MPEG-2. I just think it doesn't make sense to capture to a highly compressed format to begin with. Not that I want to capture to uncompressed AVI, but an AVI compression that has better quality. I jsut tried a plain USB capture and the quality just isn't there.

So Canopus is the way to go? I see many different models - does the quality increase with the models or just features?

Would it be unwise to look for a used one (ie, eBay)?

[Steve Grisetti]

No, Ron. The ADS Pyro does indeed convert analog to DV. I think Chuck may have been confused by the wording in your first post.

[Ken Jarstad]

The Pyro Link has had a checkered past. Don't know what the reliability is on current models. Mine is still working - after having to send it back when new a few years ago. Canopus has a better reputation in that department - for a price. But the Pyro may be all you need. And the Pyro Link has component input/output (SD only) which is unusual - I used them to capture SVCDs from a DVD player since it was easier than ripping and converting the files. B&H has them now for $130.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/462758-REG/ADS_Technologies_API_558_EFS_Pyro_A_V_Link_Bidirectional.html

[Chuck Engels]

Yes, it captures analog video and converts it to DV

If you want to capture to a less compressed format like DV-AVI then the Canopus or Pyro are the way to go. Almost all of the cheap capture cards capture to mpeg2. Now, I will say that my new capture card works very well and I have no problems with the MPEG files in Premiere Elements. The quality is very good and there are not a lot of options, it just works.
It is a ATI TV Wonder HD 650 PCI Express TV Tuner and cost around $100.

[Chuck Engels]

B&H has them now for $130.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/462758-REG/ADS_Technologies_API_558_EFS_Pyro_A_V_Link_Bidirectional.html

Wow, that's a great deal !

If you buy one be sure to use the Muvipix link to B&H on our Store page

[Ron]

Yeah, I had the ATI AIW 9000 Pro in my old computer (sitting right next to me - getting it ready for a MIL hand-me-down). It had its quirks, but overall I liked it. Never used half its features.

No capture card in my new go-fast, but I do have a firewire port.

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I can get the ADS PYRO at Amazon for 137/free ship (I will use the amazon store link from here). Still looking around.

One more thing. If/when I capture to AVI, do I capture to 720x480 or 640x480? I see conflicting reports out there about these 2 resolutions. Layman's terms please

[Ken Jarstad]

720x480

[Chuck Engels]

You can capture with Premiere Elements, Windows Movie Maker, WinDV, or pretty much any video editing software, using the Pyro. They should all capture 720 x 480 DV-AVI files as that is the standard for NTSC.

[Ron]

Thanks!

OK eBay has a new one for $123 - API-557
Amazon has a new one - API-558

Any concerns with models here? Obviously, the 558 is a newer model, but doesn't necessarily mean better, right?

[Chuck Engels]

The numbers reference the firmware and/or software that comes with the unit.
I think the 557 comes with Premiere Elements (maybe version 4) and the 558 comes with no software ?

I had to send my unit back to ADS for a firmware update, I think Ken did also as did a few others that I know. ADS tech support has gotten pretty bad over the past couple of years. Last person that got a Pyro and it didn't work ended up returning it and getting a Canopus converter instead. Like I said before, the Canopus is a better option and I have not heard of any of them having any problems at all.

[Chuck Engels]

I was right, the 557 comes with Premiere Elements 4
http://www.adstech.com/products/api-557 ... pi-557-efs

And the 558 comes without software
http://www.adstech.com/products/API-558 ... PI-558-EFS

[Ron]

OK, thanks Chuck. The one at eBay says hardware only.

At least if I buy at Amazon, they have an awesome return policy - no catches whatsoever. I currently don't have that much to capture, so I'll take the chance on the cheaper route.

Thank you , sirs!

[Chuck Engels]

If you need any help after it arrives there are plenty of us here that can give you a hand.