Dazzle Video Creator Plus HD [OLD VERSION]
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars | 103 ratings
Price:
Last update: 08-29-2024
About this item
High quality video capture device and easy to use HD video editing software
Turn home movies into DVDs; create movies, slideshows, and more
Add music, montage themes, transitions, animations, and effects
Import video from a variety of analog sources; Pinnacle Studio HD included
Share your movies on YouTube, DVD, and more
Turn home movies into DVDs; create movies, slideshows, and more
Add music, montage themes, transitions, animations, and effects
Import video from a variety of analog sources; Pinnacle Studio HD included
Share your movies on YouTube, DVD, and more
Top reviews from the United States
C. borenstein
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dazzle Really Dazzles
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2010
I Have the Dazzle for about 2 days and have had no problems with it the included pinnacle studio hd 14 is delightful and easy to use it also works with windows movie maker and beats my old dazzle dvc 170 i got back 4 years ago so if your looking for a way to bring tapes over to dvds and looking for a good quality recording tool look no further then the dazzle video creator plus hd
Jacob
3.0 out of 5 stars
Does not work with Mac.
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2010
I recieved this for my birthday thinking it would work with my mac but it did not. So if you have a Mac or a Macbook do not buy this. Also the quality kinda sucks. If you want to record and post to youtube I highly recomended buying the HD PVR. Much better quality, easy to setup, works on pretty much all computers, and all around better. You get what you pay for with the HD PVR.
Mr. Scott
4.0 out of 5 stars
Xbox Live Recording
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2011
I bought this item 2 months ago, and it still works as if it is brand new.
I absolutely love this thing! I've been creating Halo Reach videos for my clan for the past few months, and there are very few issues that I have with it. When I record on my computer, there are 3 or 4 tiny half-circles at the top of the screen (hardly noticible) and sometimes a small (maybe 1-pixel) line that splits off from the rest of my screen, but all of that can be fixed with the video cropping tool that they have included with the software. I know a few other people who have bought capture cards for cheaper and sometimes it runs a blue line down the right side of the screen if they record in high quality, this does better quality with no blue line.
Also, you can't leave it powered for too long at a time. I have noticed that if I record small clips for 1.5+ hours then the number of frames that drop increase dramitically, and I have to unplug it to let it cool down. If you want to record voice, it only records voice that comes through the speakers of your television (meaning, if you're recording voice on xbox, go to preferences and set voice to "speaker only" or "Both Headset & Speaker"); however, sound effects of blasts and explosions of games come through very well. The quality of voice recording is pretty bad, but I didn't buy this for voice recording, I bought it for video.
The software that it came with is amazing, and works even better if you can use it correctly with Windows Movie Maker (save file as Windows Movie Maker, then import that file on Movie Maker, add effects, save, and import back to the Pinnacle software if you like). Or, if you don't want to use the Pinnacle software, that's fine too... just find on your computer where the file is saved at, and import that to whatever software you use. (As for Mac users, I suppose you could use garage band... I don't own a Mac so it would be difficult for me to say)
If you want to see the quality, feel free to check out my Youtube channel, (Channel = "Shadowfold") and watch a few of my videos. There are also other users on youtube that do quality tests too, so don't forget to check those out as well.
One more thing, I've read other reviews of people not using the code first before using the capture card and then somehow it messes up. I made sure to use the code first before I did anything, and didn't have a problem.
I absolutely love this thing! I've been creating Halo Reach videos for my clan for the past few months, and there are very few issues that I have with it. When I record on my computer, there are 3 or 4 tiny half-circles at the top of the screen (hardly noticible) and sometimes a small (maybe 1-pixel) line that splits off from the rest of my screen, but all of that can be fixed with the video cropping tool that they have included with the software. I know a few other people who have bought capture cards for cheaper and sometimes it runs a blue line down the right side of the screen if they record in high quality, this does better quality with no blue line.
Also, you can't leave it powered for too long at a time. I have noticed that if I record small clips for 1.5+ hours then the number of frames that drop increase dramitically, and I have to unplug it to let it cool down. If you want to record voice, it only records voice that comes through the speakers of your television (meaning, if you're recording voice on xbox, go to preferences and set voice to "speaker only" or "Both Headset & Speaker"); however, sound effects of blasts and explosions of games come through very well. The quality of voice recording is pretty bad, but I didn't buy this for voice recording, I bought it for video.
The software that it came with is amazing, and works even better if you can use it correctly with Windows Movie Maker (save file as Windows Movie Maker, then import that file on Movie Maker, add effects, save, and import back to the Pinnacle software if you like). Or, if you don't want to use the Pinnacle software, that's fine too... just find on your computer where the file is saved at, and import that to whatever software you use. (As for Mac users, I suppose you could use garage band... I don't own a Mac so it would be difficult for me to say)
If you want to see the quality, feel free to check out my Youtube channel, (Channel = "Shadowfold") and watch a few of my videos. There are also other users on youtube that do quality tests too, so don't forget to check those out as well.
One more thing, I've read other reviews of people not using the code first before using the capture card and then somehow it messes up. I made sure to use the code first before I did anything, and didn't have a problem.
CagedDepravity
1.0 out of 5 stars
Product does not work & terrible customer service
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2010
I purchased this package so that my son could record from his Xbox and learn some video editing. When it arrived, I installed the software and tested it with my video camera to make sure it was working properly. The install seemed to go fine on a Windows 7 laptop - I plugged in the hardware, the drivers installed, and the device was recognized. When I started up the Pinnacle Studio HD software the Dazzle showed in the list of available "Import From" devices; however, when I tried to import, I got an error stating "failed to get video from device".
I contacted their customer support via chat (that transcript is below), when that didn't work out I asked how I could contact a supervisor and was given the general support number. When I called that number they stated that a "service code" is required to speak with someone on the phone. I entered the service code that was included with my software and was told that it was invalid. This stuck me in an endless loop and I had to hang up and call back.
When I called back I wanted to see if I could speak with someone, anyone, without a valid service code - that is apparently not possible. The rep I was chatting with online offered to give me a new code if I scanned and sent him a copy of the receipt, but at this point I was 45 minutes in and extremely frustrated...
After I had hung up the phone and closed down the chat, I received an e-mail stating:
"Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response. We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 5 days. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you."
I replied to that e-mail noting that the issue had not been resolved, etc and immediately received a reply from a "noreply" address that simply said "List has no rows for assignment to SObject".
So I am left to vent here... Pinnacle apparently does not want to hear my complaints or fix the problem, so the best I can hope that others don't suffer this frustration. Needless to say, I will not purchase any products from Pinnacle again.
Here is the transcript of my chat session:
---------------------------
Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to CUSTOMER SERVICE.
ME: Hi, I just installed Pinnacle Studio HD with the Dazzle hardware. All drivers, etc seemed to install correctly, but when I go to capture, I get an error
CUSTOMER SERVICE: What is the error message that you get when you try to capture?
ME: failed to get video from device
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Are you using a laptop or the desktop?
ME: laptop
CUSTOMER SERVICE: I just want to know are you capturing from a camcorder or vcr?
ME: Camcorder, but this was just to test. Ultimately, I am going to be capturing from a gaming system
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Do you have a camcorder or vcr that you
CUSTOMER SERVICE: can use for capturing?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: If your going to connect the dazzle device to the computer. Did the computer recognize the device?
ME: yes
ME: the dazzle DVC100 shows up in the list of "import from" locations in pinnacle studio HD
ME: if I click SVideo it says "no input signal", but Composite says "failed to get video from device"
ME: so it sees the device, it seems to know that there is video to be captured, it just fails to get it.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: It is because that there is no signal that is coming through the device.
ME: that doesn't sound right
ME: there IS video going from my video camera to the device through a composite video cable
CUSTOMER SERVICE: If your going to capture from a game console I can't help.
ME: Right now I am trying to capture from a VIDEO CAMERA
ME: Still there???
CUSTOMER SERVICE: What connection did you use?
ME: composite video out of video camera into Dazzle - Dazzle into USB on computer - computer recognizes device
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Click the dazzle device on the import to section then click the composite cable then turn on camcorder and let it play.
ME: IT SAYS "FAILED TO GET VIDEO FROM DEVICE"!
ME: Is there a way for me to chat with someone else? You don't seem to get it,
CUSTOMER SERVICE: It means that the connection is good but the computer cannot get the signal in order to get the display.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: are you using a laptop or the desktop?
ME: You have already asked me that question
ME: How do I get in touch with your supervisor?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: You can dial this number 650 267 5196
ME: that is a general number. who should i ask for?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Your asking for a super visor right? Just dial the number.
ME: What is your supervisors name?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: I apologize just dial the number.
ME: I did. It will not let me through without a service code. It is telling me that the service code is invalid
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Where did you purhcased the studio? Do you have the receipt?
ME: Amazon.com - yes
CUSTOMER SERVICE: WOuld that be ok if you can send me a san copy of the receipt so that we can provide you anew service code.
ME: No. At this point, I am just going to return it and post the transcript of this idiocy so people can see what sort of customer service you guys give
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Thank you for chatting with us. Have a great day!
Your session has ended. You may now close this window.
---------------------------
I contacted their customer support via chat (that transcript is below), when that didn't work out I asked how I could contact a supervisor and was given the general support number. When I called that number they stated that a "service code" is required to speak with someone on the phone. I entered the service code that was included with my software and was told that it was invalid. This stuck me in an endless loop and I had to hang up and call back.
When I called back I wanted to see if I could speak with someone, anyone, without a valid service code - that is apparently not possible. The rep I was chatting with online offered to give me a new code if I scanned and sent him a copy of the receipt, but at this point I was 45 minutes in and extremely frustrated...
After I had hung up the phone and closed down the chat, I received an e-mail stating:
"Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response. We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 5 days. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you."
I replied to that e-mail noting that the issue had not been resolved, etc and immediately received a reply from a "noreply" address that simply said "List has no rows for assignment to SObject".
So I am left to vent here... Pinnacle apparently does not want to hear my complaints or fix the problem, so the best I can hope that others don't suffer this frustration. Needless to say, I will not purchase any products from Pinnacle again.
Here is the transcript of my chat session:
---------------------------
Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
You have been connected to CUSTOMER SERVICE.
ME: Hi, I just installed Pinnacle Studio HD with the Dazzle hardware. All drivers, etc seemed to install correctly, but when I go to capture, I get an error
CUSTOMER SERVICE: What is the error message that you get when you try to capture?
ME: failed to get video from device
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Are you using a laptop or the desktop?
ME: laptop
CUSTOMER SERVICE: I just want to know are you capturing from a camcorder or vcr?
ME: Camcorder, but this was just to test. Ultimately, I am going to be capturing from a gaming system
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Do you have a camcorder or vcr that you
CUSTOMER SERVICE: can use for capturing?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: If your going to connect the dazzle device to the computer. Did the computer recognize the device?
ME: yes
ME: the dazzle DVC100 shows up in the list of "import from" locations in pinnacle studio HD
ME: if I click SVideo it says "no input signal", but Composite says "failed to get video from device"
ME: so it sees the device, it seems to know that there is video to be captured, it just fails to get it.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: It is because that there is no signal that is coming through the device.
ME: that doesn't sound right
ME: there IS video going from my video camera to the device through a composite video cable
CUSTOMER SERVICE: If your going to capture from a game console I can't help.
ME: Right now I am trying to capture from a VIDEO CAMERA
ME: Still there???
CUSTOMER SERVICE: What connection did you use?
ME: composite video out of video camera into Dazzle - Dazzle into USB on computer - computer recognizes device
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Click the dazzle device on the import to section then click the composite cable then turn on camcorder and let it play.
ME: IT SAYS "FAILED TO GET VIDEO FROM DEVICE"!
ME: Is there a way for me to chat with someone else? You don't seem to get it,
CUSTOMER SERVICE: It means that the connection is good but the computer cannot get the signal in order to get the display.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: are you using a laptop or the desktop?
ME: You have already asked me that question
ME: How do I get in touch with your supervisor?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: You can dial this number 650 267 5196
ME: that is a general number. who should i ask for?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Your asking for a super visor right? Just dial the number.
ME: What is your supervisors name?
CUSTOMER SERVICE: I apologize just dial the number.
ME: I did. It will not let me through without a service code. It is telling me that the service code is invalid
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Where did you purhcased the studio? Do you have the receipt?
ME: Amazon.com - yes
CUSTOMER SERVICE: WOuld that be ok if you can send me a san copy of the receipt so that we can provide you anew service code.
ME: No. At this point, I am just going to return it and post the transcript of this idiocy so people can see what sort of customer service you guys give
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Thank you for chatting with us. Have a great day!
Your session has ended. You may now close this window.
---------------------------
thatsfirefox
2.0 out of 5 stars
Works
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2011
This dazzle works, for a month, the s-video cable slot on the dazzle will stop working at a random time after about a month two of my friends have had this happen to them. The quality is mediocre at best WITH the s-video and without it is embarrassing. I think that if you want to record VHS this would work fine but if you want to record gameplay from say your xbox just get a roxio game capture better quality and it doesn't break as easily. Look up Dazzle Quality Test and some other brands before you buy so you know what you are getting into, also think on how long you want it to last...
The software SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want good software download the Sony Vegas trial and after every 30 days uninstall and reinstall, if you want to check out quality look at my youtube channel [...]
Im sorry if it is kinda like spam but it shows the quality, sorry.
The software SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want good software download the Sony Vegas trial and after every 30 days uninstall and reinstall, if you want to check out quality look at my youtube channel [...]
Im sorry if it is kinda like spam but it shows the quality, sorry.