Home > Consumer Reviews > New EasyCAP SNAPSHOT USB 2.0 Video capture with Audio + DVD/VCD Maker from video source: VHS, V8, Hi8 for laptop/PC,video recorder, camcorder, DVD player or Satellite TV receiver (Includes software ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD 2, NTSC and PAL Compatible, Support SNAPSHOT, supports Windows XP/Vista 32 /Vista 64) +Supports Xbox 360/PS3 colour recording +**FREE Licensed Blaze Video Magic 3.0**+FREE AV cable 3-3

The EasyCAP Snapshot USB2 also known as EzCAP116 is one of a number of similar products available from the same manufacturer. Like the previous reviewer, I too purchased this primarily for capturing footage of wildlife from a stand-alone video camera onto a laptop.
The product comes with an installation CD with straightforward instructions and the drivers were installed without any problem on my PC running XP Pro. ArcSoft ShowBiz DVD 2 software is also supplied and although only basic instructions are supplied for use with this software the excellent customer service from the supplier will provide a tutorial guide and comprehensive manual pdf downloads if required.

Using it couldn't be easier - simply connect the video source to the USB device, open ShowBiz application (the device also works with other programs)and a live image, with sound if applicable, is immediately displayed. It is possible to adjust all the usual parameters e.g. brightness, contrast, saturation etc. Hit "Record" when ready and you are away.

To sum up: a simple device, easy to operate and if you run into any problems contact the very helpful customer service.
Recommended!

I wanted to convert all my old camcorder tapes onto DVD and before buying EzCap, I had a look at the reviews for similar products. Most of them seemed to have more bad reviews than good.

I purchased the EzCap on the basis that most of the nine reviews given to the product were good.

The EzCap was used with three different types of tape format and produced good results with minimum effort. It was just a case of wire everything together and start recording. Both picture and sound quality were good with no need to mess around with the default settings.

Had some problem with capturing the sound, which was fixed by turning the computer off and on. However not sure it this was a problem with the device or the computer.

Did not have much success with old VHS tapes, as the recorded picture quality was poor.

With regard to the ArcSoft Showbiz software that was supplied, I can't recommend this as I found it un-useable as it kept closing down and saying that my camcorder tapes were copyright protected?

Instead I used Corel VideoStudio X2 Pro and found it very quick and easy to use with no problems. The range of effects was more than enough for want I wanted to do.

The EzCap is a good device and does what it is meant to do. For the best results I would recommend that you invest in some decent software.

I was looking for a simple unit which would allow me convert some old VHS tapes to DVD. Works great with full VHS resolution with interlacing. The only real problem that I encoundered was that my VHS machine outputs only a composite signal rather than S-Video through SCART - but as this unit has both, it was just a case of getting the right cable.

I use my own open source software for video editing - particularly useful if you have old tapes which have Macrovision signal problems. The software enclosed will not encode if it thinks that the tape has Macrovision protection, intended to prevent piracy. You may also encounter problems with dropped frames if your PC cannot convert the video or write to disc fast enough, but these can be overcome.

All in all, a great budget unit.

I installed this gadget and thought I had managed to get it working relatively easily. Video captured fine but have no sound - tried following instructions on cd that came with product but no success to date. The ArcSoft software that came on cd keeps closing the programme every time I try and do something different.
I tried Windows Movie Maker but had the same problem there, video captured but no sound. Have e mailed supplier to see if they can come up with solution to problem and am awaiting reply.

I wanted to transfer all my old VHS tapes to DVD and this bit of kit did it.I just inserted the software, plugged in the cables from video to laptop and that was that! Bargain.