ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional DV Media Converter - Component and Composite RCA, Y/C 4-Pin, IEEE-1394 4-Pin and 6-Pin, Stereo Audio RCA, Mac/Win

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

this little machine works great out of the box BUT Pyro machines seem to stop working after exactly 1 year, i bought 3, yes 3 of them, Pyro came with new versionc every year, i found it strange my converters stop working every january. now there are other choices, never again Pyro.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

It exceeded my expectations.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

This tool allowed our athletic department to get better film work on time, we will be more productive this year.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

Used primarily for component to DV transfers from one deck to another. Works really well at first, but failed after a few months of light use (2 hours per week).
After an annoyingly lengthy RMA process from the manufacturer, I am now waiting for a replacement.
It is a shame that this is the only component to dv on the market in its price range. The only alternative is a $1600 unit from grass valley.
If reliability is needed, do not buy this unit. If you do, buy two. You'll need a backup.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

We bought this product to handle our analog/vcr to dvd transfers as we wanted to work within our editing software. Worked Great the first 5 days we had it then when we would switch it to the analog side there was no signal. After fighting with the other equipment that we had inline with it we rounded it down to the new equipment. Needless to say we need something more reliable.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

I've been looking for something like this for months, so finally found it. Works great with my Hitachi camcorder, all you have to do is plug and play. I wanted to extract a movie out of my mini dvd's sections of a family event so with the Pyro A/V link biodirectional media converter it's a breeze. I was able to transfer just what I needed to my Imac, under Imovie, so I was really satisfied with this accomplishment.
Thanks B&H,

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

Product was faulty right out of the box. It would freeze up every few minutes or so the day the I got it. I contacted ADS by phone and e-mail, and was told I would receive a response within 24 hours. It's been 6 days!!! and still no response. I immediately returned the faulty product[...]

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

I purchased my first unit from B&H in Feb 2009. It worked well, that is, when it worked at all. The problem is it would sometimes fail to pass video into the computer even though it was being detected properly by Windows XP. Initially a power cycling of the unit would get it going, however it got progressively worse until finally it refused to work at all after less than three months of moderate use.

Before contacting support, I tried everything I could think of. I tried a different firewire cable, different a/v cables and tried it on all three of my computers, a Dell Desktop, a Gateway Laptop and a MacBook Pro, all to no avail.

After contacting ADS support and troubleshooting with them, (basically rehashing everything that I tried in the previous paragraph) I was told to apply for a RMA on their website and return the unit for replacement.

They said that they would test it and ship out a replacement within 7 days of receiving the unit, and that they would email me with the tracking info for the package.

I shipped it UPS ground and they received it, in California, six days later. That cost me about $23.

I waited for the email from them for 10 more days before I called to find out when to expect my replacement. The guy gave me a song and dance about their "7 day" turn around. I informed him that per UPS he had my unit for 10 days already. I also informed him that he had personally signed for the package according to UPS. He started to stammer and mumbled something about expediting my return. Sorry, but I don't consider something as "expedited" when it's already late.

When I received a reconditioned replacement unit, I connected it up to my DVR and laptop to test it and began capturing video. In about 10 minutes the video pixilated and the audio started chattering. I tried it again, and within 10 minutes it bombed again.

I tried calling support and after getting a busy signal 5 times over the course of 2 hours, I called the general number and asked the young lady who answered for help.

After explaining my ordeal, she said that she would ship me a brand new unit that day.

I found it curious that when I asked her if she wanted me to return the replacement unit to her she said "No. Just throw it away". Makes me think that my experience with multiple failing devices is not an isolated case.

The third unit worked for less than 2 weeks and then would not pass video anymore. Same exact problem as the original unit.

I finally gave up and purchased the Canopus ADVC 110 (also from B&H) and it works first time, every time.

I will never buy another ADS product due to apparent poor quality control and indifferent product support.

I would have given it 0 stars but it appears that 1 star is the minimum rating.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

I recently purchased this unit to use in my live video streaming setup for Women's Flat Track Roller Derby. The camera switching software I use can only read a firewire DV signal, and after experimenting with and being disappointed in a firewire repeater that uses cat5e cable to connect a camera on the far side of the track from my workstation, I decided to try a wireless solution instead.

The receiver I use has RCA outputs, and the Pyro A/V link appeared to be the most economical alternative to using yet another camera as a pass-through to convert the signal back to the DV I needed.

I was very impressed with the A/V Link's clear, simple instructions, fast setup, and ease of use. The software I use sometimes has trouble recognizing even direct links to firewire equipped DV cams, but had no problem recognizing and utilizing the stream from this device immediately upon connection.

It was even smaller and much more lightweight than I had anticipated, definitely an added bonus to someone such as myself that has to carry equipment over fairly large distances to set up.

I also from time to time receive requests to put footage from older formats on DVD, and this will definitely be an improvement over my current methods of capturing VHS and Hi-8 footage.

I recommend this unit highly to anyone looking for a low-cost alternative to the other much more expensive converters, and will be purchasing a second one to connect a second remote camera to.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

I am using this product to stream my church's services over the Internet. So far, it works great. My only complaint is: I have analog cables connected, but it won't select analog by default; I have to always choose it. Otherwise, great buy!

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

I use this Pyro A/V link on a daily basis. On Sunday's I use this to capture our Sunday morning worship hour from our anolog switcher into Adobe OnLocation. This allow me to have Waveform/vectorscopes and ready to edit video in PPRO. While assembling tv program I use Pyro A/V link to go to my confidence monitor for refrence.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

We had to use the S video outputs and at first it seemed to work great but later discovered that the colors seem to shift at times.

Comments about ADS Technologies Pyro A/V Link Bidirectional Media Converter:

I connected my old VHS tape player to the Pyro. And I connected my PC to the Pyro via Firewire. Using Adobe Premiere, I capture my old family videos, edit them, add music and create great DVDs for family gifts and for my own collection. What a great tool.