The Dazzle DVD Recorder Plus is exactly what you'd expect it to be, nothing more and nothing less. Aside from one huge catch, this device is perfect for anyone who wants a relatively cheap way to record outside video sources onto their computers in Standard Definition. Please note, there is *no* HD capture with this device.
Setup is rather easy, if you don't have Windows 7 or Vista. If you do, I recommend downloading the new drivers from their website. The biggest problem with setup is that the device installed on my Windows XP laptop, but refused to install on my Windows 7 desktop. Tried and tried and tried, and finally found a third party app that disabled some security features of Windows 7 and got it to install. It would crash constantly with a error code, one of two different numbers. A problem with the installation certificate or some such.
Physical installation could not be easier, with one catch. You simply plug the USB into your computer's USB port, and then plug the composite cables into the Dazzle itself. That's it, you've now got the image on your computer when you start the software. The big catch is that the device's S-VIDEO port is recessed into the plastic case, so if your S-VIDEO cable has a thick covering like mine, it will not fit in the hole and will not connect properly. Bummer.
After installing the software and setting it up, it's important to note that the included quick capture software will only capture the video in DVD format. Even if you choose to record to the hard drive, which there is an option for, it makes a VIDEO_TS folder that contains DVD-formatted files. No thanks, not my thing. So I instead open up Pinnacle Studio 12 (after finally getting it to install) and capture from this device (DVC100) directly to a PC-specific video format (such as an AVI wrapper). Doing that avoids the fiasco of trying to convert the DVD files into a more computer-friendly format.
The only noticeable issue with the video quality is a strange line that will appear either on the bottom or the top of the video. It is just a pixel or two wide, and it's clearly some sort of buffer issue. It'll be most noticeable in video that has black near the top of bottom, has the line often has alternating white and black pixels dancing all over. It's hardly a deal stopper, but it's an issue. You can trim out that line of pixels with any decent video editing program.
I specifically use this device for capturing Xbox 360 and Wii game footage. Please note that you have to play your Xbox 360 in SD, not HD, and so it will *not* be the ideal device for gamers looking to record their exploits in sniping people or getting that perfect headshot in Halo 3, unless you are content to play all of your games in SD from now on. I only hook up the Dazzle when I want to record, and I record in order to do game reviews. When I play a game for personal enjoyment, I do so using an HDMI cable and the Dazzle disconnected. No, you cannot output both HDMI and to the Dazzle in SD at the same time.
If you want to capture content from your VHS, DVD player, SD camcorder or camera with video, Wii, or other SD video-producing device, this is a great option so long as you can connect it to the Dazzle using composite cables or S-VIDEO. It's relatively cheap as far as video editing hardware goes, and it does what it's advertised to do. Dazzle DVD Recorder Plus
I've had this capture device for a little over 2 weeks now and I can already tell the difference between it and the EasyCap. The EasyCap records video in UVS format. I had never heard of UVS before so it was new to me. A 3 and a half minute video on the EasyCap turns out to be a MASSIVE file (4.1 GB or larger). The Dazzle records in AVI which is much more common and found all over (YouTube accepts it as well). The quality is just exactly what I was hoping for and with a little tweaking in the software, you can record some great footage.
Pros:
Cheaper than a Hauppauge HD PVR
Super easy to set up
Records in AVI
Records like a charm
Looks sharp
Pinnacle Studio 12 is easy to use
Videos can be re-rendered in Windows Movie Maker to make them of higher quality
Cons:
More expensive than EasyCap
USB cable is somewhat annoyingly long
S-video plug-in is recessed too far into the device
Have to download special drivers for Windows7 64-bit
Although the files are smaller than that of the EasyCap, they are still somewhat large
Recommend buying external hard drive (such as the My Passport brand)
I purchased this product after being disappointed with other video capture hardware that didn't work for me. The Dazzle DVD Recorder Plus has performed great for my needs. I am able to record S-video in 16x9 format from my DVR via my laptop onto a portable hard drive in an .AVI file and then burn it to DVD. I have also recorded RCA video and audio from a VHS deck onto a DVD. Setup was easy and the software included performs as advertised. I highly recommend this product. - Pinnacle - Video Production - Vhs To Dvd - Dvd Recorder'
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