Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U

Plextor's ConvertX PX-M402U is targeting those with mountains of treasured video gathering dust. This small, external capture device sits between your PC and either a VCR, camcorder or cable source, and converts analogue video into DivX or mpeg 1, 2 or 4 format files.

Simplicity is this device's big selling point - it is easy to set up and we were soon digitising video from an old camcorder. The instructions are easy to follow and the unit comes bundled with Intervideo WinDVD Creator 2 and WinDVD Player for editing and playback. The ConvertX connects to your PC via USB2, and has audio, composite video and S-video inputs to connect to the video source.

Using the Scart add-on, we managed to record clips from TV, VHS video and DVDs, including copy protected pre-recorded films, just as easily. You'll need to watch out for anamorphic distortion when recording widescreen DVD material, though you can always get around this by telling your player you have a 4:3 TV. However, as you're simply making a copy of the analogue video signal, don't expect the ConvertX to automatically detect chapters. Also, remember pirating is illegal.

There is a manual element to the work; recording starts when you activate a big record radio button and will continue until you tell it to stop, or the source material runs out. Captured video is presented as one continuous clip, which you then split into scenes and edit using the supplied software. The final results can then be burned to CD or DVD.

The quality of the final product is dependent on the quality of the original; we found it closely matched the source, although there were some graphical glitches outside of the picture in the overscan area of videos, and a green line running down the right-hand side of the frame on recordings from the camcorder.

Contact: Plextor Computer 2000 0870 0603 344
www.plextor.be

Specifications:

• Mpeg1, 2, 4
• DivX
• S-video or Composite input
• Pal
• Secam
• NTSC standards
• 184 x 32.4 x155mm (w x h x d)
• 0.5kg

See also:

Pinnacle Showcenter

Stream media to your TV and stereo.  29 Jun 2004

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