The background:
First, I have the grabber as my previous Terratec (G3) connected to composite connectors and a relatively modest 720x576- or interpolated 1024x576-pixel quality found that barely wanted to improve by even such a high quality setting of the supplied software itself. Washed and slightly blurred image results, though color very well. Even in the highest mode of more than 1 million colors in animation rendering and with a slight sharpening (almost 150 GB needed for 80 min. Film) brought the Grabber not approach what my old Terratec could afford. The Terratec I just wanted to replace incidentally because its software outdated and only in 4: 3 aspect ratio works. However, the new software can be used only on entering the device SN (only works for devices that have been shipped from May 2013 - Thank you for Terratec this nonsense, I still do not buy the G3 again * fingers on head Tip *). Back to LogiLink: when I wanted to pack up the equipment again and send it back, I've started a last attempt with an S-video cable and you had almost the feel of a high-definition (far better than the Terratec G3, in which the S-Video cable not placed on improvement had). Sensational sharpness without sharpening, minimum Fractal formations and thus clean curves without Pixelgeflirre. What I want now quite compare with the quality of customary purchase DVDs and what more could you want. And I'm a bit critical because I create (AVID) now and also videos for clients.
We tested the Grabber with T-Home Entertain HD recorder via S-video in combination with audio RCA (red / white). Ditto with Nikon SLR camera with HD video function (same interfaces). So this can be proud of and for the price of the best grabbers for MacBook Air (or other).
Plus / Minus to Hardware:
+ Favorable price / performance ratio
+ Alternative with S-Video (significantly enhanced viewing experience)
+ Practical programmable click button on the device (for snapshots, recording start, etc.)
- Cheap-looking haptics (somewhat shaky connection via USB)
- Little Cable Accessories (Only grabber with USB extension angle for tight USB interface device)
Plus / Minus Software (Mac version):
+ Very good settings for compression of sound and image-process (all DV formats, H.264, MPEG 1-4, Animation, etc. and a variety of audio compression methods incl. Hz-election mono / stereo, but not Dolby)
+ Very good adjustment options for image stability and quality (Hue / Saturation / Contrast / Brightness / White Level / Black Level / sharpening)
+ Many image formats standardized or freely selectable up to 1024x576px (there is however conclusion no matter how much you add seals) and PAL / NTSC or the "French format" whose name unfortunately escapes me, but framerates election regardless of the standard, compression level selection adjustable everything also by comma percent - from low to best
- Video binary code on the left top of the screen is to transfer (occurs at least in T-Home HD recorder on) can not be cut (here you need post-processing software such as Video Converter Wondershare f 50 EUR, just for that. cutting out or trimming cinematics)
- The software stores - no matter what compression is chosen - first all the Apple's .MOV format (compatible with iMovie) but can be converted later using the supplied Video Exporter in many other formats (.mpg / .DV / .M4V etc .)
The best video results summarized (long tinkered):
S-video cable in conjunction with audio RCA (red and white plugs); SW settings in "VideoGlide Capture": Recording format "Custom" 1024 x 576, compression: DV PAL + Best + Interlaced + 16: 9 Source: Hue 50%, Saturation 45% Brightness 52% Contrast 50% Sharpness 6.5%, black- and white level ever 0%, sound compression: MAC E 3: 1, volume 100% Gain = 75% so I was very close to almost all videos to the original.
I also had the Elgato USB 2.0 for testing, who brought passable results, but also for cost three times the LogiLink and then bugging with the Software (ne, thank you!).
Conclusion:
Full buy recommendation (and kaltkabel S-Video cable, if not at hand ;-)
