Comparison of digital video converters

The machines used to convert tapes and DVDs (or analog files) to digital files and back again are called digital video converters.These converters come in every possible price range.You can download programs that covert analog to digital for as little as five bucks.On the other end of the spectrum, you can spend $1000s if you want a professional quality model that can covert to television quality audio and video files.In comparing digital converters, you really have to compare within a given price range.

Under $100

In the price range that hovers around $50.00 there are a few options from both Plextor, Buslink USB, Pcpart, and Turtle Beach.These converters are similar in price and in quality of product.Most of the converters in this price range offer few recording options.The exception is the ConvertX, which has three different recording options.If you purchase the ConvertX, you will be able to convert your videos to MPEG-1, MPEG-2, or MPEG-4 files.The difference between these types of files is how compressed the files are when they are saved.The MPEG-4 files are extremely compressed and you will be able to save about 10 hours of video onto each DVD.

The main problem with the ConvertX, as with other converters in this price range is the software.The capture/editing program is hard to use and the software prevents recording of commercial recordings.If you are purchasing a converter to back up your existing video collection, you will need to either purchase additional software or a better converter.

Problems with the software on these products are rarely resolved through customer service.However, the customer service department for Turtle Beach receives good reviews.

Under $500

You will be able to find a number of good products in this price range.Some of the more highly recommended converters are those made by Canopus and those made by Plextor.One thing to consider when buying products in this price range is whether they are one-way or two-way converters.If you don't need a two-way converter, one of the best devices you can buy in this price range is the Canopus ADVC-100.This consistently scores great reviews for being easy to use and for having a great picture.

Most of the pictures in this price range will be pretty good.The only converter that scores low on image quality is the Pyro A/V link.

A final note on converters in this price range is that some of them are only available for Windows.Those listed here are all available to Macs as well as windows but other popular converters, notably those by AVS are not.Do your homework before spending this kind of money on a converter and find out exactly what you are buying before you.

Over $500

If you are shopping for a converter in this price range, you should know exactly what you are looking for.These are broadcast quality converter systems and will offer plenty of international broadcast options as well the ability to handle both synchronous and asynchronous sources.This feature is called time based correction, or TBS and should come on any of these high-end models.The real difference between the high-end models might not be in the products themselves, but in the companies.If you are spending more than $500 on a converter check out the company on the web and find out what kind of customer service they offer and what kind of experiences other uses have had with the company.Sticking with popular brands like Plextor and Canopus is a good idea.

The Canopus ADVC line is good at any price.As the subscript numbers go up, so does the price and the quality.The ADVC-55 costs about $300 and the ADVC-1000 costs about $2000.00.When buying these converters you really will get more when you pay more and you should decide how important subtle differences in quality are for your purposes.