Rating: 7/10
Although digital video to some extent has taken over the home video market, there are still plenty of people using Hi8 and other forms of analogue camcorders that produce good quality video. The only down side to this format is the more complex method of getting the video into your computer and subsequently onto DVD or some other form of permanent storage.
In the past these devices have been expensive and in many cases quite cumbersome to use. By contrast this latest unit, the DVC100 from Pinnacle (under the Dazzle name), is simple to use and more importantly inexpensive as well. Although having reviewed many other Dazzle units, this is definitely the strangest shape to date. I was also surprised to find that Pinnacle didn't supply any of the required connecting cables. Which probably saved them a couple of pounds but means you will have to fork out considerably more before you can use it.
The unit connects to your PC via a moulded USB cable and has inputs for composite video, left and right audio and S-Video built in. Installation is just a matter of connecting it to a free USB 2.0 port, followed by the installation of the DVD capture software and the trial version of Pinnacle's Studio Plus.
Actually using the program in its simplest form is just a matter of connecting your camcorder or other video source and following the DVD Recorder wizard's prompts. This requires no knowledge whatsoever of how to set chapter points or what bit rate settings you should apply because the program takes care of all these issues. You simply step through the four stages choosing whether you want menus or not, which template to use for the menus and then burn the disk.
The second option takes you directly to the advanced mode, which is basically the same four options you get with the wizard; only this time they're presented in a single interface. You do get the option to change the menu style and the program includes some nice themed examples to get you started.
I have to say the capture quality is surprisingly good and the DVD is created in real time, only taking a few seconds after you stop the recording process to create the menus.
If this sounds a bit restrictive and you want to be more involved, you can take the more conventional route using the trail version of Studio Plus. Then you can edit the captured video, add some transitions and titles before burning the DVD.
For more information, visit Micromart.co.uk