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DAZZLE DVC-150 External USB 2.0 Video Capture / Video Editing System ( Windows ) An external USB 2.0 - 1.1 video capture device with comprehensive video editing & CD / DVD burning software suite |  |
Type:
EXTERNAL
Video Capture:
Yes
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| Product Reviews from Amazon.com (Rating System 1 to 5) |
| Review | Rating | Last Updated | Stay Away
The Dazzle 150 was (I repeat..WAS) a fairly interesting device with the Studio 8 software I had. While it worked ok, there were the occasional hangups and sudden crashes. When I upgraded my computer to the Dell XPS with quad core and a bunch of other goodies, I decided to get the Studio 10.6 software and see how well it would work on a screaming fast machine. It doesn't. My system recognizes that the Dazzle 150 is connected, but it can not capture any of the analog signal from the VCR which is connected to it. I followed all the online advice including a reinstall of the software. Nothing worked. I swapped VCRs, nothing. Downloaded all of the updates and checked if it functioned after each update, it didn't. Online live chat is a joke. I have been spending time writing back and forth only to have to start the process over each time with a new person. I am at LEVEL 2 Support. The latest advice is downloading security patches to a computer that isn't even connected to the internet. The computer was built after the release of Studio 10.6 and long after I had purchased the Dazzle unit. For some reason, no one can explain why, if the computer can auto recognize the device, it cannot capture video. If I disconnect the Dazzle unit from the new, fast computer and hook it back up to an old Sony Vaio running Studio 8, it works just fine. The frustration isn't worth it if you don't already own it, if you are reading this review, make sure you can return it if you have the same kind of fun I am having. AAARRRGH!!! | 1 | Today | Problems
Not sure if this is the spot for adding feedback to the Pinnacle software. If it is, I can only add my negative experiences with the software and support what little I was able to get. Would not buy the software or any hardware dependent on Pinnacle.
| 2 | Today | Decent hardware, bad REQUIRED software and worse support.
The Dazlle hardware unit itself is decent - easy to hook up, and captures video good enough for a casual user.
The problem is that it is ONLY compatible (meaning - only works with) the video capture software that is bundled with it. I tried using several other video capture/editing softwares with it, but none of them can recognize the unit and/or capture video from it. That is where things take a really bad turn.
My Dazzle DVC 150 came bundled with "Pinnacle Studio 9" video capture/editing software. I run a pretty high-end computer (at the time of this review, a Dual-Core Pentium 2.8Ghz with 2GB of RAM) and even so, this software will constantly crash and "bug out". It's a crap-shoot as to whether or not your capture will survive the editing session, or if the capture will complete at all before the Pinnacle software encounters a problem.
To make matters worse, it is virtually impossible to get support from Pinnacle in regard to this product and it's use with their software. The only thing you're likely to get are excuses and typical canned answers that are not helpful.
I wasn't expecting a professional grade editing/capture solution - all I wanted to do was grab a few home videos off of VHS and burn them to DVD for my own personal use. Unfortunately the Dazzle/Pinnacle combination falls way short of achieving this simple task. While the connection between the computer and the Dazzle unit was good and functioned like it was supposed to, the software makes it impossible to get any reliable capture/edit functionality from it.
I blew over $120 on this item just months before Dazzle went out of business and became Pinnacle's property. I've ended up selling it for $30 in like-new condition.
This COULD HAVE BEEN a GREAT product, if it were not crippled by the incredibly bad software that you are *required* to use with it.
Steer clear of this product, at least until they come out with a version that works with ANY brand of video editing software (which is not likely to ever happen). | 2 | Today | Product was only mediocre to begin with. Now - no support
The product only worked originally after downloading several updated drivers. Even then, the quality was poor. I lost my hard drive recently and am now unable to download the necessary updates through Pinnacle. Pinnacle is unresponsive to email requests for assistance. Will not utilize any products from a company with such lousy support. | 1 | Today | Sure Glad I Read The Reviews
Boy am I glad I looked at the product reviews before opening the box. This Dazzle 150 is going straight back to Office Depot where I purchased it the other day. Even though it was on closeout for $31, from what I gather, it isn't worth the time or trouble with so many reported issues. I only give it 2 stars bacause of the low price.
I can also see where others have said that Pinnacle Studio has audio synchronization problems. I used their version 8 a few years ago and was surprised that after capturing my video to Studio, most of the time the sound did not match up with the moving images. Big and small mis-matches that required lots of time manually aligning the sound track to the images. I know this is a problem with Studio since I reinstalled it more than twice, defraged the disk, made sure non-essential programs to the capture process were not running, and it made no difference. What did make a difference was using one of their competitor's editing software to capture the video. The images and audio came through perfect the first time, and I could edit the footage without the application freezing or crashing also, something that Studio seemed to be prone to do.
I have since gone on to professionally creating wedding videos, and I don't have the time to try different solutions to get/keep the product running properly. I have not bothered to use Pinnacle products again because of my earlier experiences. And yes, I have had the same unhelpful tech support responses most of you described.
I did not know that Dazzle was related to Pinnacle, but now that I do, I'm returning it to the store tomorrow morning. | 2 | Today | Dazzle Digital Video Creator 150
I've been using it for a while now. So far so good. The Dazzle will record from any svhs/composite video source (SVHS recommended).
I don't understand why anybody would give this product a low rating.
Coupled with high end video editting software, it is extremely powerful. Video capture is as good as your reception.
It is recommended that you use it with a USB 2.0 port. This allows the system to really shine. :)
I'm extremely happy with it. I'm using it along with ADOBE Premiere. | 5 | Today | An ugly paper weight--save yourself
This has got to be the worst product on the market. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy anything from Pinnacle or Dazzle--all you will get is dazzling crap. The review shows one-star; actually, it's a minus five-star product. The best way to enjoy this product is slamming it against a brick wall, and video taping it for posterity.
1) The product didn't come with a manuel--you have to figure it out.
2) On-line support, was non-responsive.
3) Telephone support, was useless, one free call and they blamed the problem on my new computer.
4) The web site didn't want to except the key-code that came with the package.
5) Takes hours for rendering, more hours for burning, then in the final stage says burning complete--there was nothing on the DVD.
6) The software Pinnacle Studio 9, froze often.
7) Pinnacle Studio Plus could not even open.
8) Most programs options were minimal, if you wanted anything more you had to go on-line, log-in, then was directed to the purchasing of a bundle package for an insane cost.
9) Pinnacle sent me a customer fill-out form via e-mail on my thoughts of they're product. I told them all the problems, I gave them a chance to redeem themselves--even asked them to please respond. They never did--they were just out glory hunting for "ninnys" who thought they had a great product.
10) Pinnacle played me for a fool, they have my cash and I have trash.
These are ten reasons to seriously consider if you plan to even spend a penny on Pinnacle or Dazzle crap! You have an honest and informed report--choose wisely.
Anyone saying they love this product, or it's working great for them, must be working for or with Pinnacle or Dazzle. | 1 | Today | Save your F'n Money
The DVC150 is completely useless if you are working in a Windows XP format. The hardware will "Malfunction" and be "Unrecognized" my Windows.
Save you time and money. Buy ANYTHING but this piece of junk.
| 1 | Today | Save our Environment
After 72 hours of exasperation, I finally gave up. Customer Service through e-mail was useless. I never could get hold of Pinnacle to request a product return authorization. The bottom line, I spent $130 in this product and finally threw it in the trash. (I did, however, keep the video, audio, and USB cables, making them very expensive cables). Don't buy this product. It will corrupt Windows Media Player, and you'll end up throwing it away. Save the landfill space. Buy something else and if it works, let me know. | 1 | Today | A complete waste of time !!!
I wish I had read all these reviews before I purchased the product. Unfortunately it's too late to return mine to Best Buy.
1. The biggest things is that Microsoft doesn't like this program, and automatically closes it.
2. The online support is useless...and phone support only gives you the same information as online.
3. Oh, and they don't provide a toll free number, so you have to pay long distance while you wait on hold...and after the first call they charge you $15 a call.
4. Also you can only call Mon-Fri 8AM-10PM (no weekend coverage).
5. No manual is provided. You must print your own or view online.
Here are a few of my problems:
- During capture, the software often doesn't recognize your device (VCR or TV).
- Can't seem to get past the "capture error" and the instructions does nothing, telling you to check options that are grayed out, etc.
- On the rare chance that it does capture, editing is fine, but the "burn disk" process takes HOURS...first rendering, then compiling...and then it says "burn disk complete"...but nothing is burned on the disk.
I suppose there are some people out there that are happy with the product...but happy doesn't usually inspire one to write a review.
My suggestion...Proceed with caution!
Cat
| 1 | Today |
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