dphanna | Easy Digital Recording with Pinnacle Video Transfer! @dphanna | Uploaded December 2010 | Updated October 2024, 5 days ago.
Record without a computer! Review / Tutorial / Demo / Setup / How-to / FAQ:

Q: How do I update the PVT's firmware?
A: download the latest update from avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=219915 and follow the instructions in this video.

Q: How does my USB device need to be formatted?
A: It should be formatted as FAT (default). NTFS will not work (it will just give a red LED when inserted). Note that FAT formatting has a maximum of 32 gigabytes, so I don't recommend using a device with over 32 gigabytes of space, otherwise you'll need to create a FAT partition at or under 32 gigabytes and there are special considerations for sizeable external hard drives.

Q: How do I view or edit the resulting H.264 MPEG4 (*.MP4) files?
A: View in Quicktime; edit in a program like Sony Vegas 9.0 (as shown here).

Q: The videos I record all have the same creation / modified date?
A: Since the PVT has no clock, they will all default to the same time, on mine it is 3/7/2008 12:00 PM. The name custom "VID#####" does increase sequentially for whatever is in your \VIDEO\ root on flash drive.

Q: How can I see what I want to record?
A: Split the composite cables as shown here.

Q: What about "Best" quality and horizontal deinterlacing lines?
A: Even in trying to deinterlace the "Best" quality videos with Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9.0, I agree with Pinnacle that for computer-viewing, "Best" quality should be avoided.

Q: How large are the original saved video files?
A: The .MP4 files are very well-compressed, the box states a 4 GB Flash Stick can hold 11 hours of "Good" 320x240 quality, or 5.5 hours of "Better" 640x480 quality, or 3 hours of "Best" 720x480 quality.

Q: For video games, does this setup produce any lag?
A: No, that's the beauty of splitting the signal. The screen will be a tiny tiny bit darker, and you can use a splitter booster to counter-act this if desired.

Q: How much does all this cost?
A: The Pinnacle Video Transfer comes with a male-to-male component cable (around $110), and all you'll need on top of that are 3 splitters, a second male-to-male component cable, a flash stick, and whatever you want to record + a TV.

Q: What's that red device shown on the right-hand side of this video?
A: Before my Pinnacle Video Transfer, I recorded using the red Dazzle video capture USB device, with everything else being the same (though quality was determined by the computer's processor).

smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=293271

pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Instant+Video+Recorder.htm

Pinnacle Video Transfer

At the touch of a button, rapidly copy analog video from any source in MPEG-4 quality to any USB 2.0 storage device without using a PC.

Pinnacle Video Transfer provides high-quality MPEG-4 encoding in H.264 at up to 720×480/576 (NTSC/PAL) resolution and supports multiple inputs including S-Video, Composite video and stereo audio.

High-speed USB 2.0 connection ensures fast digital video transfer. The compact size makes it perfect for backing up videos on the go.

Features:
-PC-less capture of your video to an iPod, PSP, USB 2.0 hard drive or USB Flash Stick.
-One-touch start/stop recording from any video source including a TV, DVD player, PVR, camcorder, set-top box or gaming console.
-High-quality MPEG-4 encoding in H.264 at up to 720×480/576 (NTSC/PAL) resolution.
-High-quality MPEG-4 encoding for mobile devices, full-screen PC and even video editing or DVD burning.-
-Multiple capture options for mobile devices, full-screen PC and even video editing or DVD burning.
-S-Video, composite video and stereo audio analog inputs.
-Compact size makes it perfect for travelling.
-Recharges iPod battery during video transfer (cable not included).