Observation Post here. Yes, thanks for another very good recommendation: I'll make sure that whoever I buy a video converter from will take it back if it doesn't work well.
As to why I would pick a dedicated converter box over a camcorder that can also function as a video converter, I noticed people talking about this option in some of the reviews I read of the Miglia Director's Cut Take Two box. One fellow said that his camcorder worked fine as a converter, as you did, but he was tired of always having to hook up and unhook his camera to the computer, as well as the wear and tear on it, whereas a dedicated converter box such as the Miglia would remain connected to the Mac all the time, as well as a VCR (or two), a TV monitor, etc. Besides I still have that fancy Hi-8 camcorder and lots of blank tapes that I can continue to use until I decide that I really need to have a DV camera. In other words, for someone who wants to do a lot of video conversion and editing, as I plan to, I think it would be more convenient as well as cheaper ($240 vs. $500+) to have a dedicated video converter always hooked up to the computer and other equipment. Yes, I will have to connect my analog Hi-8 camcorder to the box to play the old tapes though the converter into the Mac, so that I can edit it in iMovie, but then I can put the camera away and send the edited video back out through the box to a (permanently connected) VCR. Getting the edited video onto VHS tapes (all the relatives have VCRs) was a priority in this scheme. Also, other family members in the area have old 8mm camcorder video that they will bring to me for editing and export to VHS tapes, and the Miglia DC-2 box has all sorts of hookups (and supplied cables) for all sorts of camcorders. Any type or brand they bring me will probably connect easily. Whether the quality of the video coming out of a converter box will be as good as that going through a DV camera remains to be seen. The fact that the Miglia DC-2 has more features and costs more than the "toy" converters such as the Pyro and Dazzle, and that several reviewers gave it high praise, makes me hopeful. If the hope proves false, then I can always send the converter box back (or keep it just to feed the VCR) and go the DV camera conversion route instead. Tom--OP (Observation Post) At 1:45 PM -0600 5/12/2004, Dan K wrote: >I (and my customer) have since had excellent results digitizing to DV >(FW) using DV and D8 camcorders, and digitial VHS decks, using analog >inputs. If one is going to spend several hundred dollars on a digitizer, >it certainly makes sense to get the most for one's money. As an >inexpensive D8 camcorder would do everything OP wanted, I'm rather >surprised OP hasn't leaned more strongly toward that route. > >I do have one BIG recomendation - _whatever_ one buys, purchase from a >vendor that will accept its return if the results are not acceptable. > >Dan K Art website at http://www.ThomasBakerPaintings.com Archaeology website at http://www.nmia.com/~jaybird/AANewsletter/ -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
