ADS DVD Xpress: Trash VHS Cassettes, Burn DVDs

Features
By published

Test System

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Notebook Averatec 5120HG
CPUIntel Pentium-M 1300 MHz
Memory512 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM CL2.5
Chipset NorthbridgeIntel 855GM/82855GM (GMCH)Intel ICH4-M
Graphics82852/82855 GM/GME
Hard DriveHitachi Travelstar 80GN C25N040ATMR04 ATA-640 GB / 4200UPM / 2 MB, 2.5 Zoll, 9.5mm
Ethernet/WLANRealtek RTL8139/810x FamilyIntel PRO/WLAN 2100 802.11b
DVD-/CD-R/RW-DrivePanasonic UJ811 2x/1x/8x DVD-R/-RW and 16x10x24x CD-R/-RW (Multi-DVD)
Drivers & Software
OSMicrosoft Windows XP 5.10.2600, Service Pack 1
DirectX9.0b
Chipset DriverIntel INF 5.1.1.1002
Graphics DriverIntel 13.6.1
Resolution1024x768, 32 Bit, 60 Hz (15" TFT Display)
Others
Video SourceNorthQ 5000 DVD Player, S-Video
Video MaterialStar Wars DVD
DVD ExpressS-Video

Conclusion

In our view, the image quality we achieved capturing in "good quality" or 4 mbps should have surpassed that of a Super Video CD - but this was not the case. Only switching to "better" or "best" (6 and 9 mbps, respectively) delivers the desired results - without visible deficits from compressing the video data.

While we would have liked to have had an internal power supply during the tests in order to have only a single piece of equipment to lug around from place to place, that would hike the operating temp even further. Since the DVD XPress runs hot when in use, you shouldn't keep it under a pile of papers.