ADSTech DVD Xpress DX2 - USBAV-709-EF
USB

After researching some higher-priced USB video capture devices, I chose the DVD Xpress DX2 because of its on-board MPEG-2 encoder. It installed first time, and I was capturing output from my video tape recorder in minutes. Out of the box the video had way too much contrast and was way too loud, but after adjustment to my VHS player, everything was fine. The CapWiz capture software is very easy to use, and the ShowBiz DVD authoring program works fine as long as the video fits on a DVD. If you don't have dual-layer discs to hand, then the only option with long (2:30 hr) movies is to split the video into two, or use another program to compress it. I tried both (using Encore DVD to compress the video), and got good results. Overall an excellent purchase, and buy.com has a great price on it.
 
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I've used this product only to convert a bunch of my old VHS tapes to DVDs. All of it was using their "capture-to-file" mode (haven't used direct-to-disc). Installation under Windows XP was easy and user interface is very intuitive. The main applications are CapWiz (capture) and ShowBiz (edit, author, burn), which work together well. The video capture and mpeg2 encoding is handled in hardware, so it is very fast. There are several screen resolution choices, with the highest being 720x480 (I am using this one exclusively). It offers 5 preset levels of mpeg encoding quality, which may be a too limiting to some but it makes it easy for the rest of us who are not video experts. At the back end, the ShoBiz offers all the necessary functionality to cut, splice, create chapters, menus, and burn the DVD. On the minus side, I've been unable to fit some of the 2hr long movies on a single DVD, even using the lowest quality setting. Too bad that there is no post-processing option to adjust compression level to fit a movie onto a single DVD disc. On the plus side, the software is robust, it always completes, and there are no hangs during the capture or burn. Of course, I am being careful to unplug any other external USB device (for ex. videocam), disable network, and to stop antivirus. I have not used other software bundled with this product. I also haven't had any need to contact ADS technical support, and at this point I don't foresee any such need in the future. Overall, this product is an excellent value to get a handle on your old VHS tapes. There are some limitations, but, given the price, I am definitely not complaining.
 
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The only issue was setup on Windows Vista. I was able to resolve the issue by following the step-by-step directions to install a software patch available on the Product support site. Overall, This product is a great value for the money.
 
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Now I can finally transfer all my old video tapes to dvd. Well worth the money. Did not use the enclosed software, used another product instead.
 
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I have both XP and Vista. I loaded the Ulead software on both and ended up using the product on XP. The unit worked as advertised and I was able to convert my tales to DVD.
 
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Before I got this DVD Express DX2 I tried the "Easy Cap" Video Capture device and it was a poor product. It captured the video OK, but the audio was bad (with a high pitched tone). Along with the USB plug it also had an audio phono jack that had to be plugged into the sound card and that is what produced the irritating high pitched tone. ENTER DVD EXPRESS DX2! This product is super! Great video AND audio capture (from my analog camcorder). Only uses a USB plug for both the video and audio capture function...no stupid phono jack to have to plug into the sound card. And the editing/movie making software ("ArcSoft Showbiz") is excellent! I've used "Windows Movie Maker" which was mediocre and it would not let me convert a movie I had created...it kept popping up a problem window everytime I tried to save it to a file. How frustrating! But the ArcSoft Showbiz software works very much like Windows Movie Maker, only better with more options and tools for creativity. It was able to save a 10 minute movie I had created with no problems at all. I will be using ArcSoft Showbiz from now on...and screw Windows Movie Maker! I haven't even tried to use the DVD Express to convert some of my old VHS videos to DVD yet (which it is supposed to do well) and I still think it's worth every penny!
 
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The product arrived quickly and set-up was easy, though one part of the software was defective and I had to download the software from the website. Converting video from my VHS tape to a file on my computer was easy. The editing software presented more problems. I printed out the 22-page software instructions and read them carefully, but struggled to edit my video. Finally got it ready to burn to DVD and got an error message.
 
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The unit arrived as advertised and installed very easily. It included a single disc containing drivers, Capture Wizard, and Video Studio 9. I was never able to get the ULEAD Video Studio 9 to load from the provided disc. The drivers and CapWiz work very well but to have the full DVD compilation functionality, you need the Video Studio as well. I subsequently ordered and downloaded ULEAD Video Studio 11 and I am very happy with the results. I have been able to connect a VCR and my video camera to the DX2 and started tranferring our old VHS tapes to DVD, including our wedding video we were afraid we'd lose. I highly recommend this product and hope you have similar success with it.
 
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Very easy to hook up and use. Great quality. Well worth the money.
 
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Order arrived in a timely manner and the product works well.
 
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Since receiving this item, I have been nonstop capturing all of our camcorder tapes to convert to DVDs. It is SO easy to initially connect, then use immediately with no trouble. If I can do it, anyone can!
 
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