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Dazzle (video recorder)

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Dazzle
A Dazzle video recorder with its audio, video, and S-Video slots
Manufacturer
  • Dazzle Multimedia (1997–1999)
  • SCM Microsystems (1999–2003)
  • Pinnacle Systems (2003–present
IntroducedDecember 1997 (1997-12)
TypeVideo recorder

The Dazzle is a family of external video capture devices that allow people to record video from analog composite video sources (DVD player, VCR, etc.) over USB (originally parallel).[1] Most models are also capable of recording analog stereo audio.

Setup

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There are two different ways one can connect components to the Dazzle. One way is to connect a VCR or video game console directly into the unit with RCA composite cables or with an S-video cable. Another way is to use three composite splitters to split the AV signal, sending one into the Dazzle, and another to a TV. This method is popular for recording from video game consoles, since it provides a real time feed into a TV (used as a preview monitor) while simultaneously capturing the footage.

History

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The Dazzle line of video recorders was introduced in 1997[2] by L.A. Vision, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up founded by Paul Jain, who had previously founded a string of graphics card companies including Paradise Systems, Video Seven, and Media Vision.[3][4] The initial line of Dazzle recorders used an MPEG-1 encoder/decoder chip by C-Cube Microsystems to digitize the analog input, interfacing with the computer via a parallel port cable.[2] The maximum resolution and frame rate that the Dazzle could encode video at was 352×240 pixels at 30 fps.[5]: 54  L.A. Vision had inked their deal with C-Cube in September 1997;[3] within two months, the Dazzle line was available on the market, by which point the company had renamed themselves to Dazzle Multimedia.[2] Dazzle Multimedia also sold an internal, PCI-card version of the Dazzle, under the name Snazzi.[6]: 73  Dazzle Multimedia was acquired in majority by SCM Microsystems, a German-American technology company, in 1999.[7]

The first Dazzle recorder to support USB was the Digital Video Creator (DVC) 50 and 80 models, first released in March 2001.[8][9] The DVC 80 was capable of recording both video and audio via RCA and S-video, while the more inexpensive DVC 50 was capable of recording only video.[10] Owing to their USB 1.1-spec connector, these Dazzle video recorders captured video at much lower resolutions than contemporary offerings which used FireWire, although they were still capable of capturing video at a stable 30 fps.[11][8]

In October 2003, Pinnacle Systems acquired the rights to manufacture and market Dazzle hardware from SCM Microsystems.[12] Pinnacle was in turn acquired by Avid Technology in 2005.[13] The Dazzle was then sold under both the Avid and Pinnacle names across various products.[14][15] In the late 2000s, Avid updated the Dazzle line to support USB 2.0, allowing it to capture at native NTSC video resolutions.[14]

In 2012, Alludo (formerly Corel) acquired Pinnacle from Avid.[16] As of April 2022, Alludo continues to sell products under the Dazzle family.[17]

Further reading

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  • Ozer, Jan (April 7, 1998). "Dawn of a New Video Age". PC Magazine. 17 (7). Ziff-Davis: 47 – via Google Books.

References

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  1. ^ Erica, Sadun (2006). Digital Video Essentials: Shoot, Transfer, Edit, Share. Wiley. p. 92. ISBN 9780470113196 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c Brock, Terry (December 12, 1997). "New products have brought down the cost of multimedia". Dallas Business Journal. American City Business Journals: 6B – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ a b Greenberg, Herb (September 5, 1997). "What's Behind C-Cube's New 'Partnership' With LA Vision?". San Francisco Chornicle: B1 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ Clark, Don (November 12, 1992). "Media Vision's shares soar on first trading day". San Francisco Chronicle: C1 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ McMakin, Matt (March 1998). "Capture digital video with a magic little box". Presentations. 12 (3). Bill Communications: 53–54 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ Wright, Maury (January 15, 1998). "Digital-camera interfaces lead to ubiquitous deployment". EDN. 43 (2). Reed Publishing: 63–73 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ Marsh, Peter (August 3, 1999). "European plays to his international strengths". Financial Times: 13 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ a b Fountain, Henry (March 8, 2001). "For Analog Camcorder Owners, Easy Way to Convert to Digital". The New York Times: 3. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ Staff writer (April 2, 2001). "Dazzle Video connectors line expands". TWICE. 16 (8). Cahners Business Information: 36 – via ProQuest.
  10. ^ Stevenson, Douglas (October 2002). "Choosing a DV capture card: essential hardware options". Camcorder & Computer Video. 18 (10). Miller Magazines: 50 et seq. – via Gale.
  11. ^ Franks, D. Eric (June 2004). "Tech support: Most editing software will allow you to mix NTSC and PAL footage with MPEG video, still photos and stranger things". Videomaker. 18 (12): 9 – via Gale.
  12. ^ Block, Debbie Galante (October 2003). "Pinnacle keeps Dazzle products alive". EMedia. 16 (10). Online, Inc.: 14–16 – via ProQuest.
  13. ^ Staff writer (March 22, 2005). "Avid to Purchase Pinnacle Systems For $422.3 Million". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company: B5 – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ a b May, Scott A. (December 9, 2008). "Gizmo takes fuss out of making DVDs". Columbia Daily Tribune: 1 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ Jacobi, Jon L. (April 2011). "Digitize Your Analog Life". PC World. 29 (4). IDG Publications: 71 et seq. – via Gale.
  16. ^ Stafford, Alan (November 2012). "Pinnacle Studio 16: The Ultimate Video Editor?". PC World. 30 (11). IDG Publications: 50 – via ProQuest.
  17. ^ Velazco, Chris (April 1, 2022). "What's the best way to share my old home videos?". The Washington Post – via ProQuest.
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