Hello all, I'm starting to work on testing some devices I've acquired, currently messing with an ADVC-300 which does have an internal proc amp which can be primitively adjusted with buttons on the outside or with a computer app.
What I'm finding, however, is that having the black level set to zero vs 7.5 does not seem to change the actual output image and this was the case both with the ADVC110 and ADVC300. Basically I'm using a composite test pattern generator that has super black areas on STMPE Bars on it and the super black bar is still visible with the dip switch in either the zero or 7.5 position. Is it possible that this is just something to do with the preview showing it the same either way and the actual recorded files might still assign black to a limited range value of 16 if the unit is set to 7.5IRE? Seems like the whole point of the preview window would be to show the video as it would be captured?
The ADVC-300 does have a brightness setting that can get the blacks to be correct in the preview window, but I'm guessing it also reduces peak white by the same amount. Also is kind of unfortunate *if* the more common ADVC110 can't capture black levels correctly.
I did see this post which tries to explain it, but I still don't get why the preview window for SMPTE bars doesn't look correct (and actually looks the same) regardless of the black setting.
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/...es-and-more%21
Curious if others have seen this with their units or could explain why the preview window in say scenalyzer doesn't change regardless of black level selected with the dip switches.
Also of note, all of the ADVC units I've messed with have surface mount caps that consistently test bad, so if you use these, I'd suggest recapping them if you have the means. I've seen some ADVCs not work at all until they are recapped.
