Pinnacle Video Transfer records video to anything USB 2.0, even your iPod

Mark down "plays well with others" on Pinnacle's report card, the company's upcoming Pinnacle Video Transfer can take an analog video input and record the source to any USB 2.0 storage device, including an iPod. Video is recorded straight to the H.264 format, with user-selectable quality of Good, Better and Best. You can even charge the iPod you're transferring to. Supported devices include the PSP, PSP Slim, USB flash drives, USB hard drives and the iPod video, iPod nano third-gen, and iPod classic. The Pinnacle Video Transfer should hit stores January 15th for $129.99.

[Davey @ Feb 27th 2008 10:42PM]

So it works for an ipod, how about a macbook???? Can I input analog video into my mac and use final cut on it?

[Joe Templeman @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:55PM]

Its one of those fantastically useful gadgets....once you find a use for it!

[tf @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:12PM]

so it takes analog inputs only? no dv? i want something that will let me bypass my dv camera's tape deck. this looks so close to what i want yet just not quite there.

[Joe_Templeman @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:17PM]

Just get a DVD writer with a DV input, or use your PC!

[tf @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:21PM]

yeah but i'm looking for compactness though. i need something i can just strap to the side of my camera.

[Max @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:47PM]

What you need is a Firestore drive. They're designed for exactly what you need. Focus Enhancements makes them.

[Shane @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:51PM]

TF:
What about something like this?
http://www.mcetech.com/quickstreamdv/index.html
Or this?
http://www.videonics.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=3

[tf @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:13PM]

max and shane, that's exactly what i had in mind. thanks!

[FThorn @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:26PM]

what about macrovision in the signal?

[Baba Booey @ Jan 3rd 2008 3:21PM]

And those smart enough to not use an iPod? Maybe a Cowon D2 instead? I'm assuming we're fine.

[TikiScott @ Jan 3rd 2008 4:12PM]

No one ever answers the KEY question .... Can I feed this device the analog (i.e. composite vid) output of a std DVD player and get a iPod ready (h.264) file without any complications from the DVD copy protection. If yes, this device, combined with Netflix, would be worth it's weight in gold.

[NewJohnny @ Jan 4th 2008 4:16AM]

Yes. There is no copy protection sent down an analog video signal.

[TikiScott @ Jan 4th 2008 8:44AM]

Absolutely WRONG. Virtually all Std DVD players output a Macrovision-modified signal with the composite analog video. If you have ever tried to connect a commercial DVD to a VHS recorder you will note that the video is distorted to the point of being unwatchable. Also, If you go the t5he Pinnacle Video site and look at their software produycts that convert video ... most carry thre caveat that they will ONLY work with NON-COPY-PROTECTED DVD's.

[TikiScott @ Jan 4th 2008 8:44AM]

Absolutely WRONG. Virtually all Std DVD players output a Macrovision-modified signal with the composite analog video. If you have ever tried to connect a commercial DVD to a VHS recorder you will note that the video is distorted to the point of being unwatchable. Also, If you go the t5he Pinnacle Video site and look at their software produycts that convert video ... most carry thre caveat that they will ONLY work with NON-COPY-PROTECTED DVD's.

[NewJohnny @ Jan 5th 2008 2:20PM]

@TikiScott: I had no idea, sorry. My dad has been recording dvd to vhs for years with a basic zenith setup. Am I missing something else here?

[TikiScott @ Jan 7th 2008 10:53AM]

Some of the earlier VHS machines were capable of effectively ignoring the Macrovision-modified signal. I'm not sure if this was intentional or accidental. However, I have one & I still use it from time to time to make copies. However, most VHS recorders will record a video signal that is terribly distorted & unuseable. I sent my questions to Pinnacle and they botched the answer and have not yet addressed my specific question re Macrovision and compoite video transfer.

[paperless @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:04PM]

not with an ipod touch, that's for sure

[Korneel @ Jan 4th 2008 6:33AM]

What about the Zune, does it work wit a Zune?

[M @ Jan 9th 2008 12:15AM]

wait, does this thing have its own power source? like a battery? or does it need an AC cable?...

i have a helmet cam that plugs into composites, and i need something smaller than of those older model camcorders with analog input... this wouldnt really work if you had to plug into an outlet.

[klavdy @ Jan 11th 2008 12:22AM]

I to am after something to replace the Mini DV tape Handycam to hook my helmet cam to.