Diamond ATI TV Wonder USB HD 650 good for transfer?

[Apache2223]

Just curious if anyone has used this for analog to digital transfer and if it is any good. I have Windows 10 or 7. Don't really need it, but I can get it for $15, and it's probably an upgrade from my Avermedia M780 and M791.

[msgohan]

It's a waste of space even if you got it for free, because the ATI 650 & 750 chips are fundamentally flawed for analog capture.

ATI 650 USB dual.jpg

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...i-capture.html

[jwillis84]

.. it may not be worth mentioning.

But.

The general statement that the 550, 600, 650, 700 750 chips are "unsuitable" for transfer rest upon an assumption that (no other pre-conditioning) equipment exists between the VCR and the capture device.

That is.. its the only.. device connected to the VCR.

For reasons of cost and simplicity this has been the best practice.

However..

As supplies dwindle and desperation set in.. it is possible to insert a TBC or pass-thru, Proc-amp and other equipment to "fix" the signal before submitting it to the capture device. - this is not something a "beginner" is likely to do, or even have the equipment to do.

The ATI devices were generally engineered well with the assumption they would be using their internal "analog or digital" tuners to acquire a signal.. or that the analog Inputs would be connected to a cable or satellite box .. not something that had been through a multi-generation rotting tape played back in a decrepit old VCR.

Remember.. original Broadcast signals are "better" than what comes out of a VCR.

They haven't aged well because they were designed for "perfect" signals. Even S-VHS at SP was less than a "pristine" original Broadcast signal. There were sync signal losses from the very beginning.

So its not contradictory to say "you could" use this equipment.. its just much more difficult.

They are kind of a victim of their "times" as signal quality expectations went up.. that's what they designed for.. converting VHS to Digital was not a primary design goal.

It was all about time shifting and watching next weeks episode.. not looking backwards over a back catalog

[msgohan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwillis84

The ATI devices were generally engineered well with the assumption they would be using their internal "analog or digital" tuners to acquire a signal.. or that the analog Inputs would be connected to a cable or satellite box .. not something that had been through a multi-generation rotting tape played back in a decrepit old VCR.

Remember.. original Broadcast signals are "better" than what comes out of a VCR.

Actually, this is precisely the type of signal that caused the original uproar over the ATI 650's crazy AGC. People using it for its intended purpose (PVR time shifting) noticed the downgrade from previous models.

Samples:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/...=1#post2149571
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/...=1#post2035045

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwillis84

The general statement that the 550, 600, 650, 700 750 chips are "unsuitable" for transfer rest upon an assumption that (no other pre-conditioning) equipment exists between the VCR and the capture device.

There is no ATI 600 or 700 chip to my knowledge.

ATI 600 USB = Texas Instruments TVP5150
ATI 600 PCI = T506
ATI 650 PCI = Theatre 650 Pro (presumably T506 with different silkscreen)
ATI 750 USB & 750 PCIe (and clones) = T507

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgohan

It's a waste of space even if you got it for free, because the ATI 650 & 750 chips are fundamentally flawed for analog capture.

Attachment 11057

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...i-capture.html

This is correct.

[Apache2223]

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I'm definitely learning a lot!