Which VCR is least bad to capture old VHS?

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filippods94

-Pinnacle MovieBox DV
-Pinnacle MovieBox USB Plus

These are not models, incomplete info.

[Filippods94]

Moviebox deluxe (20€)
Studio plus 700 usb (20€)
Moviebox plus usb (white one, 30€)

-- merged --

Could you help me with the selection of these capture devices? What information do I need to provide you?

Thanks

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Studio plus 700 usb (20€)

Model number.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filippods94

Moviebox deluxe (20€)
Moviebox plus usb (white one, 30€)

No model number.

But you must realize that model number alone doesn't mean what you (and most people) think it does. Lots of capture cards are long-lived products, with mid-productions changes. In effect, there are "versions". It's not something visual, or printed on the box. So even with the name/#, you still cannot be 100% certain of it's the "proper version".

This is why I make cards available in the marketplace -- I remove that mystery, you know the card is a good one.

If you insist on buying local, then just buy all 3, and see which works. You have a 1-in-3 chance for a good card, and those are typical odds for an "in the wild" buy of Pinnacles.

That's the advice here. Buy all of them. Return/resell the others.

The unfortunate thing is that, as a newbie, you really have no idea what makes cards good or bad. Bad cards have AGC aggression, luma/chroma values hot or off, noise patterning. You're just going to have to "go it alone" on this.

Use VirtualDub.
Use Crossbar Thing.
Never OBS.
Not AmaRecTV.
Not anything else.

[Filippods94]

Okay, I'll do as you say. In the meantime, here are the photos of the three devices. Should I try my luck with all three?

[lordsmurf]

Try the white unit first.

[Filippods94]

[additional info]
This one in particular was bought in 2008 for 100€

-- merged --

Should i proceed with the purchase?

I found this too!

[Gary34]

I’ve bought a Pinnacle from eBay then the marketplace here.

Quote:

The unfortunate thing is that, as a newbie, you really have no idea what makes cards good or bad. Bad cards have AGC aggression, luma/chroma values hot or off, noise patterning. You're just going to have to "go it alone" on this.

I wouldn’t recommend buying these from eBay. It’s not worth it in my opinion. As a new person you might of seen a card or two but you aren’t sure of what’s a good card and what isn’t. Even if you get the right generation then condition can come into play. It’s better to just get one from the marketplace and move onto capturing than it if to try and search through threads for information on which to buy then second guessing it later.

[Filippods94]

The problem is that I live in Italy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

Try the white unit first.

The white one is a 510 USB

[BW37]

Definitely not the second white one you’ve pictured (Moviebox DV). It is DV only, with no USB port at all.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filippods94

Should i proceed with the purchase?

No -- and don't be impatient, that leads to mistakes, wasted time, wasted money.

Quote:

I found this too!

You're starting to get newbie-itis, like a dog/canine. "Bone! Butterfly! Car!"
Settle down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary34

I’ve bought a Pinnacle from eBay then the marketplace here.
I wouldn’t recommend buying these from eBay. It’s not worth it in my opinion. As a new person you might of seen a card or two but you aren’t sure of what’s a good card and what isn’t. Even if you get the right generation then condition can come into play. It’s better to just get one from the marketplace and move onto capturing than it if to try and search through threads for information on which to buy then second guessing it later.

When most people want to start a project, they seek guidance. Many also seek help with what to buy, and where to reliably get it. They don't just "hear"/read a brand/model, then run off to Facebook/eBay/etc. Sure, some do, but those stupid people. I do my best to acquire cards, clean, vet, test, refurb as needed -- and then put them in the marketplace here to help the community.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filippods94

The problem is that I live in Italy...

Most people in the video hardware space ship worldwide, as do I.

Quote:

The white one is a 510 USB

If you want to gamble, then gamble on this one. It's really the only potentially-viable unit from the card images attached thus far. This is not a recommendation, but yet another "least worse" options (for a possibly good card, but version/condition is unknown).

Quote:

Originally Posted by BW37

Definitely not the second white one you’ve pictured (Moviebox DV). It is DV only, with no USB port at all.

Yep.

[Filippods94]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

No -- and don't be impatient, that leads to mistakes, wasted time, wasted money.


You're starting to get newbie-itis, like a dog/canine. "Bone! Butterfly! Car!"
Settle down.


When most people want to start a project, they seek guidance. Many also seek help with what to buy, and where to reliably get it. They don't just "hear"/read a brand/model, then run off to Facebook/eBay/etc. Sure, some do, but those stupid people. I do my best to acquire cards, clean, vet, test, refurb as needed -- and then put them in the marketplace here to help the community.


Most people in the video hardware space ship worldwide, as do I.


If you want to gamble, then gamble on this one. It's really the only potentially-viable unit from the card images attached thus far. This is not a recommendation, but yet another "least worse" options (for a possibly good card, but version/condition is unknown).


Yep.

More than being in a hurry in a negative sense, since I’m sure there will be setbacks and delays, I’m just trying to move as quickly as possible to avoid taking forever. I study and work and like almost everyone here i don’t have unlimited time and just want to use mine as efficiently as possible. The same goes for money—unfortunately, I can’t afford the ideal devices to do a perfect job, but I’ll make do. After all, I see plenty of projects online that I also consider “poorly done,” and thanks to your help, within the limits of my limited experience, I’m sure the result will be acceptable.

I bought the various devices across Europe as I usually do (VCR in Italy, ES10 in Germany, USB510 in Spain), but buying overseas, with all the uncertainties related to customs and similar issues, seems excessive to me.

Among the various devices, I found a Pinnacle 510 (which I purchased) and a Pinnacle 710 (which will be my second attempt).

I’ve read several of your posts about these devices, and as soon as they arrive, I’ll open them up to make sure they are exactly what I need—of course, if you’re willing, with your help.

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filippods94

I’m just trying to move as quickly as possible to avoid taking forever. I study and work and like almost everyone here i don’t have unlimited time and just want to use mine as efficiently as possible. The same goes for money—unfortunately, I can’t afford the ideal devices to do a perfect job, but I’ll make do. After all, I see plenty of projects online that I also consider “poorly done,” and thanks to your help, within the limits of my limited experience, I’m sure the result will be acceptable.

I understand all of that.

Quote:

Among the various devices, I found a Pinnacle 510 (which I purchased) and a Pinnacle 710 (which will be my second attempt).

Flip that. 710 first.

Quote:

I’ve read several of your posts about these devices, and as soon as they arrive, I’ll open them up to make sure they are exactly what I need—of course, if you’re willing, with your help.

There's more to it than visual chip/board inspection.

Overall, I think you've reached the end of your hardware-acquiring/shopping journey, between the self-imposed budget and time constraints. Even the "wrong version" Pinnacles are better than Easycaps/Elgatos, so your goal of "acceptable" (or "not poorly done") should be met.

The variable still faced in condition, proper functionality. That can get difficult online, some things must be seen "in person". You'll just have to be careful, test, ask for verifications.

I would implore you to not rush. That's how mistakes are made, why projects get re-done. But don't worry, you'll increase the pace as you work your way through your project. It's just the first few (no set number there, maybe 2, maybe 20) that may seem daunting.

Keep us updated on how things are working for you.

[Filippods94]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

I understand all of that.


Flip that. 710 first.


There's more to it than visual chip/board inspection.

Overall, I think you've reached the end of your hardware-acquiring/shopping journey, between the self-imposed budget and time constraints. Even the "wrong version" Pinnacles are better than Easycaps/Elgatos, so your goal of "acceptable" (or "not poorly done") should be met.

The variable still faced in condition, proper functionality. That can get difficult online, some things must be seen "in person". You'll just have to be careful, test, ask for verifications.

I would implore you to not rush. That's how mistakes are made, why projects get re-done. But don't worry, you'll increase the pace as you work your way through your project. It's just the first few (no set number there, maybe 2, maybe 20) that may seem daunting.

Keep us updated on how things are working for you.

Is the 710 noticeably superior to the 510? I’m asking because the 510 is already on its way, and to get the 710, I’d have to make a 200km trip (the seller doesn’t ship).

I don’t mind repeating multiple attempts—I'm an hobbyst, i know how frustrating things can be—but the important thing is achieving a good result.

Now, as you said, the first phase is done (barring any unforeseen issues), so all that’s left is to wait.

[Gary34]

Quote:

Is the 710 noticeably superior to the 510? I’m asking because the 510 is already on its way, and to get the 710, I’d have to make a 200km trip (the seller doesn’t ship).

It doesn’t really make a lot of sense to drive that far to pick up a 710. It’s pretty risky too. You have no way to return that. Then you gotta think about time and gas. Really the money from these goes back into the hobby anyways and the way LS ships these I could throw it out off of my 2 story and I’m pretty sure it would be alright. Anyways I hope it goes well for you. Good luck.

[BarryTheCrab]

A seller doesn’t ship a shoebox size package? It’s so easy for smaller packages. Am I missing something?

[Filippods94]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryTheCrab

A seller doesn’t ship a shoebox size package? It’s so easy for smaller packages. Am I missing something?

He's a old guy who barely managed to post the ad on Facebook Marketplace. I thought I'd handle everything, he would just have to give the package to the courier... Nothing to do, let's forget it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

I understand all of that.

Flip that. 710 first.

There's more to it than visual chip/board inspection.

Overall, I think you've reached the end of your hardware-acquiring/shopping journey, between the self-imposed budget and time constraints. Even the "wrong version" Pinnacles are better than Easycaps/Elgatos, so your goal of "acceptable" (or "not poorly done") should be met.

The variable still faced in condition, proper functionality. That can get difficult online, some things must be seen "in person". You'll just have to be careful, test, ask for verifications.

I would implore you to not rush. That's how mistakes are made, why projects get re-done. But don't worry, you'll increase the pace as you work your way through your project. It's just the first few (no set number there, maybe 2, maybe 20) that may seem daunting.

Keep us updated on how things are working for you.

One last question... is there a big difference between a JVC 6700 and a 7600? Thanks.
Also, the Pinnacle has arrived... how can I tell if it's one of the good ones?