Dazzle Digital Video Creator Platinum & Dazzle Digital Video Creator Plus Review

Reviewed by: Mario Georgiou, October 2008
Published by: Pinnacle Systems
Requires: Windows XP (SP 2 or higher) or Windows Vista (32bit only), Intel or AMD 2.4GHz CPU or faster (dual core recommended), DirectX 9 or higher compatible graphics card with 128MB, DirectX 9 or higher compatible sound card; 1GB available hard drive, 3+ GB to install bonus content; 1 available USB 2.0 hi-speed port, DVD burner
MSRP: US$89.99, UK£69.99

Pinnacle is a company which specializes in creating tools and kit for people who want to work or play with video. Dazzle Video Creator Platinum (called Dazzle Video Creator Plus in the U.S.) is an easy to use hardware & software combination which is designed to help you easily capture, edit and archive video from any device which supports output to composite video or S-Video. The teardrop shaped interface pod supports these devices and plugs right into a standard USB 2.0 hi-speed port, allowing for high speed transfer of video data.

The tools included with the Dazzle VCP include Pinnacle Instant DVD Recorder for transferring VCR tapes directly onto DVD, Pinnacle Studio for quick editing of your captured video, and Pinnacle Scorefitter for adding soundtracks and music to your video creations. According to Pinnacle Systems, it is easy to burn movies on DVD, share them on the web or even output them to files compatible with a PMD such as the iPod or PSP. Our hands-on experience wasn't any different for the most part.

 

Pinnacle Instant DVD Recorder is really easy to use and even allows you to burn directly to DVD without having to first record your data onto the hard drive. The process of setting up VCP was pretty painless. The software which comes with Dazzle is really easy to use. We experienced a minor installation issue during which the program installation procedure took a long time, then hung up. I ended up having to copy the installation files to my local drive before trying again. Second time lucky.

Capturing video was simply a matter of plugging in the video capture device and and then clicking a button in the software to start and stop the process. Editing and working with my videos was easy. It was a breeze to add simple titles, select & apply effects and then convert my content into various formats. I found I could save my projects to a variety of common video formats including AVI, DivX, iPod Compatible MPEGs, MPEG 1, 2 & 4, Real Media and Windows Media.


When I needed to get technical support for any issues I tried looking up solutions and found Pinnacle's online support very helpful. The online technical support system was easy to use and staff were quick to offer effective solutions.

Cons: More input ports needed. More video editing features needed. The installation process, even when it goes smoothly the first time, takes too long.

Pros: Dazzle Video Creator Platinum & Dazzle Video Creator Plus is easy to use. Produces good quality results. The tool did exactly what was advertised and with great ease. If you want a really simple device for converting, editing and transfering video to DVD and personal media players, then look no further than the Dazzle Video Creator Platinum or Dazzle Video Creator Plus. Recommended.

KSN Product Rating:


 

 








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