CSL - USB 2.0 audio/video grabber | New version / New software (Windows 10 compatible) | VHS - video adapter for processing and post-processing

I have owned a previous device from a different manufacturer. Since upgrading to Windows 10 it stopped functioning. From Internet queries I learnt its most likely the chip-set being of an inferior design. I was concerned that any replacement device may suffer a similar fate. I checked with Amazon buyers and was informed correctly that this device will work in Windows 10 64 bit anniversary edition.The driver installation is quite straightforward, its helpful to read the instructions carefully beforehand. The 'VHS to DVD 2.0' software is fairly basic only offering four options of resolution. They are as follows:- VCD 352x288 1,374 bit rate, SVCD 480x576 2,724 bit rate, DVD 720x576 8,224 bit rate and Long DVD 720x576 2,724 bit rate. The format is offered as NTSC or PAL and the quality may be varied for each resolution. The software also offers two other options for editing and burning of DVD's. I have not used either of the 'Edit' or 'Burn' features as I own other software products which I am more accustomed to using. Files are saved in mpeg format, therefore some compression has taken place post VHS video capture. There does not appear to be an option to record in an uncompressed AVI format.The software does limit the maximum capture file size to 3.99 GB and then allows the merging of the files during the edit stage. A nice touch for anyone using the system without separate editing facilities. I was slightly worried on my first run as the software appeared to freeze during the save process when the file size reached 3.99 GB. It does not appear to drop any frames at this point in the process.The recorded results are acceptable, but do not expect high quality from VHS or VHSC tapes. Technology has moved on considerably in the last few years.I dropped one star because it appears I am unable to register this product. It is 'VHS to DVD 2.0' software. I tried to register it and found that the lowest version available for registration is 'VHS to DVD 4.0'. My complaint is that if there is a later version of software available, why is it not offered with the product at point of sale? Or better, when you install it, why does it not inform you there is a later version or build of the software to upgrade to?

Obviously there are more professional products for capturing from video tape, although we've used this one sucessfully for years.The entire picture is caught - which of course means with non-digital tapes you will need to slightly crop the picture a little.Please note, this device works directly with DV tape. DV stands for Digital Video. It DOES NOT work directly with non-digital video tapes, such as Hi8, 8mm, VHS, Beta or any tape which ISN'T digital. If you have non-digital tapes you will need to also purchase a switcher in order to convert the signal from a tape player to digital in order for this device to read it. That is what we do, and it works well, although we have a non-powered switcher, which takes a little time to warm up - which you need to also be aware of if you purchase/aready own a SCART switcher from around 20 years during the waveform-digital transition.

My challenge, How to get holiday videos from the HDD/DVD recorder to DVD cheaply when the DVD recorder has gave up the ghost. :( While researching, came across this device on Amazon, it had received good reviews, looked decent price & thought it's worth giving a try. Followed the easy to read instructions, connected the CSL video grabber to HDD/DVD recorder, then to the laptop, installed the drivers & software from the tiny CD. Was relieved to find it is compatible with the graphics card on the W10 laptop. Got a great picture & sound from the analogue connections straight away. The software is basic & easy to use to record the videos from the HDD/DVD recorder. It was saved in real time as a .mpg file on the laptops HDD. Burning the .mpg videos to a DVD disc was easy & played them on the blu-ray, switching to 16.9 on the TV, looks great. Although the video is recorded in aspect ratio 4:3, the video & sound are excellent for analogue & so far, haven't noticed any degradation in the mpg videos colours on the TV or on the laptop. I used the free VLC software to watch the 4:3 video on a PC, selecting full screen in 16.9 before committing the video to DVD. The grabber has solved my problem cheaply, easily, without fuss & will be very useful for future editing straight from the video camera. A few niggles though, noticeable clicking sounds while monitoring a video source before recording on to the laptops HDD. The clicking sound is gone & the sound is perfect & clear while recording. The hardware is a slack fit in the USB port & It tends to dangle down in the USB port with the weight of the cables. Its a little wide & can block access to other USB ports when needed. I found it holds better in a USB extension cable, the extra USB cable length is handy too if you have short RCA video cables. By chance found that the device does not work with the coaxial bitstream digital sound socket. Stayed to using the normal White/Red RCA or the Scart sockets for the sound. Not tried the S-VHS socket as just ordered a S-VHS cable. If you don't need the quality of HDMI this is a very excellent alternative, especially if you have decent analogue recordings. For me, its an excellent grabber, well worth the investment. 5/5. :)

Product used to transfer analogue Hi8 video tapes to digital format for editing. Whilst I had initial problems setting up the device on my laptops, the after sales team based in Germany were very responsive, even to the point of sending out a replacement grabber when the original proved difficult to install. Helpful suggestions resulted in the successful installation and operation of the device on one of my laptops meaning I could achieve my original objective, although I still have a problem loading the grabber drivers on my second laptop - a problem presumably with the laptop and not the audio/video grabber. The supplied software by Honestech is a basic early version, but does work with the grabber device.