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View Full Version : ADS Tech VideoMPX - Digital Video to Go


Jason Kravitz
02-09-2005, 06:00 PM
<img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/jek_main_mpximage.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Video Capture Device<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.adstech.com">ADS Tech</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.adstech.com/cart/wheretobuy1.asp">ADS Tech</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $79.99 USD<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> Microsoft® Windows® XP, USB 2.0 port, Pentium 4 2.4 GHz or better, 256mb RAM, Sound Card, CD-ROM + burner for creating VCD.<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>Save video as MPEG 1,DivX,Windows Media 9 or VCD;<br /><li>Video can be played back on PDA's, PC's and DVD players;<br /><li>Inexpensive and Easy to Use.<b>Cons:</b><ul><li>Some minor quirks in VideoStudio Software;<li>Heavy system requirements for DivX codec.</ul><br /><b>Summary:</b><br />These days, most camcorders come equipped to talk to your PC over Firewire/USB. The transition from your vacation to your DVD player is almost transparent. However, for those with a library of video from the last few decades, digitizing your old footage is a bit more challenging. <br /><br />For desktop users there are many PCI based video capture cards that accomplish this task. However, PCI based solutions require installation and do not work with laptops. As one of the many people whose desktop is gathering dust in a back office, I prefer to do most my work on my laptop and appreciate products that interface with Firewire and USB 2.0. The APS Tech Instant VideoMPX is one such product. It is an inexpensive external video/audio capture device which connects to Windows XP PC via USB 2.0. The device comes bundled with Ulead VideoStudio 8 SE VCD which allows you to save your video in a many different formats for playback on a variety of devices ranging from a computer, DVD player or even PDA. <br /><br />Read on for the full review of the ADS Tech Instant Video MPX.<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Installation and First Impressions</b></span><br />The VideoMPX is a small palm sized device with four inputs. RCA audio/video (the standard red/white audio and yellow video plug) and one S-Video input. Installation is as simple as inserting the CD, installing the drivers and connecting the device. Also included on the CD is Ulead VideoStudio 8 SE VCD, a special version of Ulead's VideoStudio which works nicely with the VideoMPX device. The device itself captures raw video and requires software for command and control, compressing, editing and saving the final video. <br /><br />For my first test I borrowed a friend's Video 8 camcorder to digitize a bunch of old 8mm tapes that I've accumulated from over the years. The VideoMPX comes with a brief manual which describes how to get started with the VideoStudio software and a short description of the various compression schemes. I will get into some more detail of compression options in the next section. I was not quite sure where to begin and a bit frustrated at first trying to figure out which scheme met my needs.<br /><br />Overall the software is fairly intuitive and easy to use. ADS Tech recommends a system with a Pentium 4 2.4ghz or better especially for DivX compression because this compression scheme needs the extra processing power to create smooth video. While these requirements are not unheard of for new systems, it might alienate some laptop users which seems to me to be the prime market for this type of product.<br /><br />My laptop is a Pentium M 1.7ghz which is supposed to be on par with a Pentium 4 3.0ghz. I found some of my DivX video to be a bit jumpy at times but acceptable. It would be a nice feature if VideoStudio could capture RAW video and then apply a compression scheme later instead of trying to keep up by compressing in real time during the capture.<br /><br />VideoStudio has a simple library management system which organizes your clips so that you can assemble them into larger projects later. One of the quirks I found with the software is that if you move the files around it will pop up a warning for each clip and make you re-link each one individually. This could be cumbersome for moving a directory full of clips which I did at one point in my testing. <br /><br />The VideoStudio editor should seem familiar if you have ever used any video editing software. It has a video/audio channel, video overlay channel, one title channel, a voice over channel, and one music channel. There is a trim feature which makes it easy to strip off extra footage on the beginning or end of a video segment. There are also a ton of effects including the typical wipes, fades and barn doors plus some other fun effects like blowout and shatter. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/jek_vs_int_crop.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: The VideoStudio software has a simple intuitive interface.</i><br /><br />Barring a few minor annoyances, I was fairly impressed overall with the amount of features and functionality of this edition of VideoStudio. It would also be interesting to see how the VideoMPX interacts with other video editing/capture programs.<br /><!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Comparing Compression</b></span><br />Since I was not sure which compression scheme suited my needs, I decided to record the same 4 minutes of a DVD with each compression setting. I've listed my results in the following table:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/jek_mpx_chart.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: Compression Settings Comparison using the same 4 minutes of video.</i><br /><br />A couple things to note about these results. These options are the top level default settings from the capture menu. Both DivX and Windows Media format offer many different configurations. The profile used in the Windows Media is the default called "Neptune_GoodQuality". There are several Windows Media profiles for streaming over different bandwidths and devices. <br /><br />I was surprised that the file size of the various DivX profiles were so different. I could not discern from the settings dialog what the difference was between DivX 5.5.1 and DivX Home Theater however the file size is much larger for the same clip under the general DivX setting. There are four DivX profiles that cover the range from mobile phones to high definition devices. I found the DivX Home Theater to have the best quality for the file size.<br /><br />Once you have captured and edited your video there are a variety of ways to save it out. There is a Create Disc wizard which lets you burn a VCD complete with chapters and menus.<br /><br />I hit a snag on my PocketPC when I realized that the latest version of Pocket DivX does not support DivX version 5.5.1. After searching around I could not find any other PocketPC player that supports 5.5.1. As a work around, it is possible to save as a WMV file and play that on the PocketPC. Palm devices are capable of playing back DivX 5.5.1. <br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />With a variety of compression and export options, the VideoMPX is an inexpensive and versatile way to digitize video. It is especially useful for laptop users who are looking for a portable digitizing solution. Whether you are archiving your old home movie collection, looking to stream a scene for friends and family over the web or shrinking a movie for your PDA, the VideoMPX and VideoStudio software will get the job done.<br /><br /><i>Jason Kravitz is a software engineer specializing in the creative potential of the human mind and its connection to the subtle spaces around us. Jason is the creator of the PocketPC game <a href="http://darts.divinevibe.com/">DevilDarts</a> and an avid photographer. His current area of interest is the potential of imagery to transcend the boundaries of language. His photo blog can be seen on <a href="http://jason.aminus3.com">Aminus3.com</a>.</i>