Copy DVD to Computer Encoder Review:
ADS USB Instant DVD 2.0 MPEG-2 Encoder (page 2)

Once the video is captured, you can use VideoStudio 6 SE (VS6) to add transitions, titles, effects and even simple overlays. It must be noted that MPEG-2 editing requires some pretty serious CPU muscle, which might not be available on non-video centric computers (i.e. ones that don't have any video capture features) this product is aimed at. VS6 has a simple DVD plug-in that will allow you to burn a DVD, but that is not the strength of this product.

MyDVD is our favorite PC-based, simple DVD authoring application, since it makes it a breeze to create basic chapters with thumbnails and titles. MyDVD does allow some simple trimming, but editing is not this product's strength. Perhaps the ideal solution is to capture in the CapWiz, edit with VS6 and author the DVD with MyDVD, which we did without problems.

Overall, this was a very nice consumer product aimed squarely at folks who want to make DVDs, but do not have, nor want to mess around with, a more traditional video capturing hardware setup (i.e. a capture card). If you already have a capture card or IEEE 1394 card, this product is probably not for you, although you might want to consider the software solutions we reviewed here.

The MyDVD Direct-to-Disc option is about the easiest way to create DVDs, short of a stand-alone living room DVD recorder. But you can also choose to edit your video and author a disc to create a full-fledged, menu driven, random-access-chapter-navigated DVD, just like one from Hollywood.

We also liked the DVD Picture Show, which allowed us to select a large number of still images and convert them to a DVD slide show automatically. The flexibility to work with either method proved to be the real strength of the ADS USB Instant DVD. Just add water? Not quite: you will still need to add your own DVD burner.

Platform: PC
Operation System: Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, XP
Processor: 400MHz
RAM: 128MB
Hard Disk: 200MB for applications, 1GB recommended for media

Other Hardware Required:
Available USB port (1.0 or better)
CD-ROM drive
Full duplex sound card
DVD or CD burner
Inputs: RCA audio, composite video, S-video
Outputs: RCA audio, composite video, S-video, USB
Cables Included: 6' USB, RCA to Mini plug A/V

Included Software:
VideoStudio 5.0 SE*
MyDVD 3.0*
Sound Forge XP
ACID Style
Photo Island
* A free 2.0 upgrade CD-ROM is available from ADS that has VideoStudio 6.0 SE and MyDVD 3.5, in addition to important driver upgrades.

• Easy analog to MPEG-2 capture
• No card to install
• Nice software suite

• MPEG-2 needs CPU horsepower to edit
• Audio setup complexities

$249
ADS Technologies
12627 Hidden Creek Way
Cerritos, CA 90703
(800) 888-5244
www.adstech.com

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