Thank you for curating all of these cards! I was wondering if there's a difference b/t the ATI600 USB and the Hauppauge clone, in terms of video quality (i.e. might there be a video still samples somewhere?). I dug up an old windows 7 laptop that I hope both will work with, but the windows 10 compatibility does seem comforting, future-proofing wise, i.e. if my old computer craps out on me. Also, does the software come in a CD? A downloadable file? How does the quality of these USB cards compare to the AIW PCI card? (again, if there are video stills that might be most concrete).

Thanks!

Quality? Not at all. The main difference in drivers.

Use Win7 for your own sanity.

There's no guarantee of this. Win10 becomes a new OS every 6 months. It's not just "an update", but tends to fundamentally change how the computer works. So every 6 months, for the past few years, more and more hardware has become unusable.

Sometimes I have original discs, sometimes not. But that may not matter. For example, even if I had a disc for the Hauppauge, it'd be 10 years old. The new Win10 drivers are available on the site, or the FTP.

The AIW has more exacting values, and also allows capture of illegal "blacker than black" and "whiter than white" to aid in restoration. If you're willing to build an XP box, you won't regret it. But if you're seeking a balance of newer hardware with older hardware, that's where the USB options come into play. The Pinnacles (not just any Pinnacle, but these certain submodels) are actually the best USB, and have Win10 drivers as well.

It's made these sorts of comparisons before:
- AIW PCI = fine steak, good cut
- AIW USB = steak
- Pinnacle = brisket
- ATI 600 = gourmet hamburger

... as opposed to some like an Easycap, which is like rotten dog food.

There is a definite quality difference, but it cane be nuanced. The card chosen depends on the tapes, much like VCR and TBC. And then it has other considerations like OS, motherboard, and even cost.

Stills don't really show this adequately.

Updated. :cool:

Well, those cards went fast. I'm now down to only 1 each for most cards. :rip:

Hello! We spoke some time ago regarding equipment I'd be interested in purchasing. You see, my entire house burned to the ground and I have since relocated, thus explaining my delay in replying.

I am a VHS collector and in search of the following:
Panasonic AG-1980
JVC sv10u
Datavideo TBC-1000 or TBC-3000 or ATI-600/etc
BVP4+
Perhaps some Vidicraft hardware as well or anything else interesting.

Thank you good sir!

Hey, I just found your post and I might need to get something from you. I've been trying to get things to work with VC500 and it was just pain in ass with no solution.

I started post about it here http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...capturing.html

I have a spare computer currently with Windows 7 32-bit. I can change OS to anything else. My cassettes are all PAL from Russia. What device/capture card you sell that you think will work best for me?

Thanks

Updated. Some cards gone, but some added. :congrats:

That's terrible. :(

For capture cards, I often have an ATI 600 USB. Some of the other gear comes and goes. Right now, TBC-1000 and the ATI. I tend to avoid dealing with AG-1980 and BVP4+, too many problem these days.

I want to like that VC500 card, but can't. It's too variable (therefore unreliable), too many problems. The cards I have tend to have no problems, aside from potential typical Win10 issues (ie, Win10 updates screw up card drivers). Choice of capture cards partially depends on OS, and somewhat on source tapes. For PAL, the Pinnacle is always my first choice (aside from AIW), a card I often use myself for PAL.

Looking for an ATI USB to purchase.
AIW USB preferred but would consider the USB 600 if everything is included(dongle etc.)

Not sure if one is superior to the other.

Hi Lordsmurf,

With the pinnacle cards for Pal usage, which model do you have available?

Thanks

Answering this for sake of others reading this thread...

I always include all necessary components for analog videotape capture. It wouldn't be much of a capture card if it wasn't able to capture! :laugh:

AIW is better than 600. But XP required. The 600 is up to Win7, maybe 8/10 if not updated for the past year or two.

PM'd -- but never heard back. :(

What is the difference between the ATI TV Wonder 600 USB and the ATI AIW USB? And which is prefered for VHS Video Capturing?
I have found ATI TV WONDER 600 but cant seem to find any reference to what the actual AIW card was

I've read all this on here somewhere:

ATI 600 uses a Texas Instrument chip (although the box claims "Theatre").
Gets power from the USB port and needs the analogue input dongle
Records AVI on Virtualdub, and MPEG on CMC (which is not recc since you don't have a dropped frames counter, unlike MMC with the AGP cards)

ATI AIW has the same chip as the AIW AGP/PCI cards.
Requires separate power brick.
Can use MMC which has Video Soap and dropped frames counter.
More expensive than the ATI 600 and would seem that LordSmurf is the only place to get them.
Also better quality capture than the 600 but I don't know if it's that significant.

Would be interested to see a comparison myself, if anyone has/can post one.

Hope that helps. :D

Inquired about an ATI USB 600 via PM, received reply with requested amount plus shipping along with payment options. Sent payment within 2 hours. Nothing since then. No replies to PMs or email asking about order status. Is something wrong?

-- update:

Sorry if I seem impatient, just wasn't sure how long it would take. I did get a reply it's all good :thumb:

Hi, I never received any Pm

Uhhhh hello! It took me long enough to sign up and start asking silly questions myself…

Any recommendations for a Mac guy? What’s the reason the available cards won’t work on a newer macOS, is it drivers, software? If it’s the latter, to be honest I just planned on trying with either QuickTime in ProRes 422 or FFmpeg on the command line in one of the usual lossless codecs :huh1::laugh:

But knowing how finicky these machines are even with current HD capture devices, I can already guess it’s a hardware thing, and even if it worked flawlessly on an Intel one, I’d be stranded as soon as I get to upgrade to Apple Silicon… yaaay :rolleyes:

We all know I’m only delaying the inevitable purchase of a period-accurate computer (would an iMac G4 do or should I build the PC I could only dream of 15-20 years ago? Because either sounds actually fun!) but I’ve got to start somewhere. And don’t even get me started on the TBCs…

If you’ve got anything I could use, how much would shipping to Chile be? Thank you!

Yes. Don't be a "Mac guy". :laugh:

Computers are just tools. I use multiple versions of Windows, Linux, and Mac. I'm platform agnostic, merely use the best tool for the task. For the task of video capture, that's Windows, and specifically XP/7 if you value your time and sanity.

No drivers, no QT, no software, and no real hardware to choose from. In the 2000s, it was a (crappy) DV centric workflow. Few cards outside of it. By the 2010s, slim pickings. By the 2020s, nothing works, aside from HD cards that "also do" (and really don't) SD video.

This started long before the M1. All the M1 did was further drive a stake into the heart of Mac video capture.

Yes.

No, too old.

Yes, but no. 15-20 was single core P4 with IDE. Not that. You want 2010s hardware, dual-core Intel, SATA, good Asrock/Gigabyte motherboards. If Win7, SSD. If WinXP, HDD. Tip: 2.5" SATA is quiet. You can actually build a WinXP box using 7th gen Intel and 2017 motherboards, but it's tricky. Last year, I was building systems for others (still building a few, takes time), not sure I'll do it in 2022.

Why? It's always about costs. $2k is cheap for most hobbies. My desk has about $2k in action figures (few TF MPs, few Macross Valkyries, Bandai Voltron), and those do nothing but look pretty. My camera body cost more, to say nothing of the lenses and other gear. Video is a cheap hobby, even with the single large TBC purchase required. Everything else is relatively small afterwards. Too many people remember the cost of a VCR from Sears/Walmart/etc in the 90s/00s, and for some reason that puny >$200 number gets stuck in their head as the budget for VHS. No. It gets even more ironic when Mac owners gripe, because they paid a huge premium for a computer. Everybody has priorities. For some, it's hookers and blow. For others, it's about acquiring good tools to do a quality VHS capture task.

PM'ing. :congrats:

Yeah, it’s just where I ended up eventually, being the “[whatever] guy” isn’t something that’s set in stone, let alone something I’d define myself as :screwy:

And yes, the right tool for the task, that’s exactly what I came looking for :congrats:

Can confirm. As capture machines they’re great editing machines… if even that :laugh:

And I guess I wouldn’t want to use my daily driver for this instead of a dedicated capture rig anyway, so let’s get that one out of the way, shall we?

I was just going by the dates AIW cards were being made ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Just kidding about the TBCs! Sure the prices are intimidating, but it’s an investment you’ll have to do sooner or later if you get into this hobby. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and neither will the flawless workflow we all want :laugh: (also yay figures!)

You may seem harsh but you’re actually very helpful and willing to teach when someone’s willing to learn, and that means a lot. Thank you so much for the guidance both in the reply and everywhere else on this site! :salute::D

For editing, they're great. But mostly for HD formats, not SD anything. Mac can ingest digital HD without any issues, it's the SD that is non-existent. I want a Mac Mini M2 to edit H.265. I want to shoot H.265 on an Atomos.

Yes, daily system = no good for video. Modern internet connected computers mess with video capture, and arguably even mere editing.

Understood. But AIW are best on that 2010s hardware (though a few good boards were made in 08/09, bleeding edge at the time, pricey).

Good to know. :)

Not at all my intention, but the same old gripes get old. So these days, I just nip it early, quick douse of cold water on weak arguments, in order to move the conversation along quickly. Watching the 7 stages of denial, over and over, for decades, is just irritating. I no longer have time for that. So I try to skip from denial to acceptance. :laugh:

Thanks! :tiphat:

Looking for your recommendation based on what you have left for sale on what would be best option for using with Windows 10 via USB. I am using Toshiba W808 S-VHS VCR running through Panasonic DMR-ES10.

Do you still have any of these available?

Hi @Theogen

I bought lordsmurf one of these last week and paid him already, so I assume he has 2 left? I'm not sure, perhaps he can answer that question better than me :)

Greetings lordsmurf,
I'm looking for an ATI 600 USB. Would you have one available?

PM sent about the ATI 600 USB clone (Tevion) that works with a Mac too.

Erich

Could you please check your email or PMs, @lordsmurf?

All caught up on capture cards. :D

Some of these are older questions/comments, but replying anyway... :wink2:

One of the few viable cards in Win10 is the specific Pinnacle USBs I carry, which I try to always have in stock, though it can be tough at times. Most good capture cards are getting tough to find, complete, working. Enjoy your card!

Yep! I try to always have cards, and update the first post of this thread as soon as new cards are available, or cards are sold. So it's rarely outdated. When it doubt, PM me. Enjoy your card!

Yep! The unfortunate events from the first few months of the year caused some understandable delays, backlogs, but all capture cards are now caught up. Same for workflows, TBCs, and VCRs. Many people already have their gear, and have for some time now (months). But the last few packages are finally out, no more backlogs. Phew! Enjoy your card!

I did, now I don't. You got one of my last ones. Enjoy your card!

PM replied. Enjoy your card!

Yep! Email and PM inbox are still bottomless pits, but digging out the backlogged messages, at least 66% done now. Messages replied, card sent. Enjoy your card!

... and done here for now. :hot:

Hey checking to see if you have any left and your best recommendation for a USB capture card for the following setup. I have a HP ENVY x360 m6 convertible laptop running Windows 10. I do also have access to a desktop Dell Inspiron 3847 running Windows 7 Professional. I have two very similar model Sony VCR/DVD units available to use, the RDR-VX515 and the SLV-D360P. I realize after reading the guides and forum posts, a TBC and high-quality VCR are important aspects of the process, not sure those upgrades are in the cards right now though. So, I thought I would start with the capture card. Thank you for the help.

^ PM'd.

After more than a year, I have another rare AIW! The 600s are getting rarer in the past year, that well may go dry someday. At least for now, I'm able to locate the correct Pinnacles, I have a source. We'll see how long that lasts. Each year, gear seems to dwindle.

Anyway, new cards listed, PM me if you need a quality card. :)

Hi lordsmurf

I'm a new member here and was hoping to buy a capture unit. Is there still a Pinnacle USB, NTSC available? I'm looking to capture two family VHS tapes and preserve the interlaced format if possible (I use 525-line CRT monitors regularly) from my pretty milquetoast VCR. I have Windows XP SP3 and Windows 10 machines available, so I'm not too worried about OS compatibility.

Thank you

- Bass

Resolved. Enjoy the card. :) -LS

Im getting a bit worried...
I paid lordsmurf for a pinnacle usb card on january 24. I have sent several PMs after that, but no answer?

Patience. :noworry:

We were repeatedly hit by nasty destructive winter weather in mid/late Jan, bleeding into early Feb. There were many days which we sat in the dark with no power, no heat. Not fun. Not as bad as 2021, but it still sucked. Even the nearby cell towers were affected, so no phone or 'net either.

Additionally, indeed, a serious medical issue, though not myself. But it did take time to help out. And that person is now slowly recovering, long road ahead.

I've been contacting folks this week, one by one, sending out gear.

This too often happens since 2020. I have to go dark for a few days/weeks (as has been the case since 2012, so nothing new), but people freak out now. If I reply to a quick easy questions (for me, at least), folks think they're being ignored because I didn't contact them first. Just chill. No worries. Don't assume the worst. I'm a person, not Amazon Prime.

Good gear is coming to your mailbox soon. :)

Not everybody gets affected this way, just a few here and there. But it's always resolved.

lordsmurf, can you edit your original post to specify which Pinnacle USB models you have and keep separate stock counts for them? Since they're not the same I think it would be appropriate :)

What I have is a specific version, of a specific model, of a Pinnacle card. Not just random Pinnacle cards.

The PAL and NTSC are different. Technically, both do both, but generally card performance is degraded for the other format.

I purposely don't mention the models. Why? Because Pinnacle (and Hauppauge) had the bad habit of recycling the model numbers, using the same number for multiple cards that were not at all the same internally.

If I mentioned the model, somebody would surely see "the same" (not same) model on eBay/wherever, and buy it because "it's cheaper" (because it's NOT the same!) than what I offer.

Worse still, those known-bad cards would actually make my suggestions seem bad, as I had suggested or offered "the same" (not!) model.

These differences are often not written on the card, as the manufacturer didn't want you to know changes had been made. It's not too different from modern issues with SSDs and HDDs (and Linus has made quite a few gripe videos about this bad faith act by hardware manufacturers in recent years).

Sometimes little things, such as font work, can give clues. But it's not conclusive. You have to break open the units to verify, and you're not going to find a Joe Seller on eBay that's cooperative with this. You'll have a hard time just trying to convince the person that the 1 lb (literally) Pinnacle software manual is worthless, waste of $$ to send it, and it can/should be chucked before shipping. I've heard stories where simply asking questions gets a person blocked from buying. WTF?

I test, vet, repair, clean, refurb, etc. I'm the easy button, no unknowns with my gear. If any usage questions, that's what the forum is for, and I answer all questions as best as I can, set you down a successful capturing path.

Ah ok, thanks for clarifying :)

Yep, most everything was recently sent out, overlooked PM'ing your tracking. :smack:

Awesome news, thanks!

PM sent about the Pinnacle USB NTSC!

((PM sent about one of the ATI AIW USBs :) ))

Listing updated.
Have a few nice items again.
All gear backlogs clear, or soon to be clear. (PM/email if you need an update.)