RT2500 vs. Hollywood DV Bridge

[rherbert]

I'm a long time, experienced user when it comes to networks, databases, and office applications but I know very little about desktop video. I'm fascinated by it though and really want to learn more. The best way to learn is to jump in and do it.

The Matrox 2500RT looks incredibly cool, looking at the Demo CD. Hollywood's DV Bridge Product looks pretty slick as well, at 1/4 the cost. I guess my question is, will that significant Matrox premium make my desktop video experience that much better?

I never mind paying a premium for good quality stuff that will last a while and make you thankful you actually paid more to get it. As a novice though, "no rendering" doesn't mean a thing to me. Does not being able to do this, produce poor quality results, and thus just turn you off of the whole process?

I've also heard setting up an RT2500 can be a real bear. Anyone who has one of these units, I'd genuinely appreciate your feedback. Would you buy one again, if your PC was ever stolen? Is there something else (like the DV Bridge) a newbie should be considering?

Thanks for any advice.

[wkulecz]

Forget the Dazzle Hollywood Bridge. I've tried and returned three over the past eight months after hearing claims "they've been fixed".

Problems: Gray blocks or jigsaw-puzzle pieces on DV back to analog. Dark DV captures. Randomly dropping off the 1304 bus.

Troubleshooting computer stuff never gets cleaner than this! Simply replace the HWB on the end of the 1394 cable with my Sony TRV-120 and none of the above happens -- no other software or hardware changed other than replacing the HWB with something that actually works.

I may try the Canopus DV converter box, its in the same price range but I've never seen it available locally.

--wally.