Any good analog recorder? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 04:00:31 pm
content: For many years I'm looking for a decent recorder that can record composite signal to digital files, but haven't found one. So I guess maybe I can ask your opinions.First just forget all those unbranded/unknown-brand ones... Which occupy 99% of the market.I also want it to have more "professional" controls, for example, over/under scan, black level, and even gamma. I use "field monitor" to view thermal camera output in real time, and I want a recorder with similar capabilities.I just cannot find a single one that satisfy the above requirements, is this market so niche?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 05:35:17 pm
content: You are sadly seeing the result of many video systems becoming digital in both image capture and data transfer. Composite baseband video and S-Video are now considered low quality historic standards. Even CCTV converted from analogue video to IP. This is the reason why you are only finding the low end analogue video capture devices that come out of ASIA these days. One option remains in the form of a decent true USB3.1 video capture device connected to a powerful Mini laptop or tablet PC running some decent quality software. You then have more control over the images being captured. Not a cheap or particularly tidy solution though. I have used a USB video capture dongle on a Armoured Tablet PC and that solution worked well for me.In the past broadcasters used decent analogue video recording solutions, including DV tape based video recorders from Sony. There were also some analogue/digital recorders like the Datavideo DN-200. Such units are now long discontinued. For quality of build, high quality recording and decent versatility, you will likely need to buy a used broadcast portable video recorder but they can be rare and expensive. As the move was made to Digital solid state Video Recording, there was also a move to SDI video standards etc and analogue video and the required Video ADC section effectively became obsolete in professional video recording products.Expect anything decent quality to be pretty expensive as they are specialist kit. You are then left with the cheaper, lower grade analogue video DVR’s from Asia for less expensive solutions and there is not a lot in the middle priced ground.FraserDN-200 information…..https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/700094-REG/Datavideo_DN_200_DN_200_DV_HDV_Hard_Disk.html/specshttps://www.fullcompass.com/common/files/14547-UserManual.pdf

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 05:50:28 pm
content: Thank you Fraser!Yes I forgot to mention in OP, I considered the USB solution, but that would be difficult to operate in field. Also there are some 8k SSD recorders which also have analog ports, but that's really overkill.The Datavideo series(not only 200) is interesting, I never heard those before, although in your PDF it still not mentioning the scan area setting, but it's surely a good finding! Thanks.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 05:50:43 pm
content: How about a DataVideo DN-400 for $250 ?Take a look here….https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204166322401?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=jJl9u18-QaC&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=BgpdXaaLSkK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPYReview:https://www.videomaker.com/article/c5/14753-datavideo-dn-400-dvhdv-video-recorder-review/Manual:https://www.manualslib.com/manual/909841/Datavideo-Dn-400.htmlFraser

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 05:56:19 pm
content: Yes I just found several DataVideo devices on Ebay at resonable price. Thanks a lot.Hint: you don't need to post such a long ebay URL, for example: "https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204166322401?" will work, it omit those tracking parameters, so it's safer for you.

author: iJoseph2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 06:45:50 pm
content: Would something like this be any use? ..https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115643284384https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266059504158I'll be honest though I hadn't realised they were this expensive. And you'll need firewire.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2022, 06:54:32 pm
content: Another possibility might be to use a compact Analogue video to SDI converter as there is more choice when it comes to SDI digital video recorders. That said, the quality of the Analogue to Digital video converter will effect the systems performance so a cheap one might not be adequate.The DataVideo DN series units do look like a good fit for what is needed. It is just a case of finding one at a good price.Fraser

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2023, 02:38:35 am
content: I am not happy with my Powerplay. But it's such a useful tool for being screen and recorder

author: hap2001
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2023, 01:28:06 pm
content: I think you can get one of the "Archos" device from ebay.Good:Reliable European brand.monitor+recorder with battery and HDD built in, while still as small as a phone.Easy to get at a reasonable price, with many models to choose from.Bad:No IPS screen.They need a "docking station" to record from RCA input.