Adaptec APA 1480

Advantages: Works well out of box; captures video as MPEG-2 flawlessly
Disadvantages: Stopped working after a Microsoft update - Adaptec will not offer free fix.

...Product served me well for transferring several piles of VHS tapes to my Media Center 2005 machine. Then - Microsoft came out with some software update and product only works for a limited time. Pause it while recording and the PC freezes. restart the PC and it no longer detects the device. Remove device - uninstall drivers and uninstalling WinDVR 3 all temporary fixes - problem reoccurs. Doing the C++ registry hack worked very limited, now does not. Adaptec - with this known problem - can not even be contacted outside of their "pay" support. Adaptec has not updated their searchable database with the "fix" - they apparently demand their customers to pay them before they assist. A sad state of affairs within a once-great company. Shame on you, Adaptec!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Portable Device,Good for small time duration capturing
Disadvantages: To convert 30 minutes of captured video it takes around two hours

...It Captures the Video in real time mode but drops number of frames.So you donot get the smooth motion of a scene. Same result is observed in the video cd. The manufacturer has set the time limit for capturing to only 600 seconds. After that audio & video goes out of sync The software(sonic My DVD is supplied with the unit is also not user friendly.It is very slow. One major drawback is in preview mode, the source sound gets muted.It becomes difficult to recognise the scene.In video editing mode,after trimming unwanted footege,the audio video synchronisation goes totally out.The resulting vcd projet has very poor quality with lot of pauses and choppy movements.Very Furstrating.other capture devices has got far better quality than this Adaptec AVC-1100.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Plug n play, reliable, efficient
Disadvantages: A bit pricy

...Finally, just when I was begining to give up on ever attaching my SCSI drive to my system, along came the answer to my prayers. A neat fitted in seconds, no need to open the case solution; the Adaptec USB to SCSI connector. This piece of electronic genius allows you to connect virtually any SCSI device directly to your PC through its USB port. It works and is brilliant. It just plugs in and away it goes. Everything is supplied and with easy to follow directions. It is not cheap though, expect to pay about $50 ($90) for it but compared with a SCSI card & cables it probably works out the same and is definately 100% less hastle than trying to configure an already stuffed full to the brim machine. It's got my vote.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful