Dazzle DVD Recorder [OLD VERSION]

I bought this so I could transfer all my home videos & taped shows onto DVD. I thought it was very easy 2 install the software onto my laptop(which runs Vista). I did have 2 go online 4 one of the drivers 4 the editing program, but I have not used this yet since I haven't tried 2 put any new home videos onto DVD. I find that it's very easy, I just hit play on the VCR & start recording on the program & the movie records 2 DVD while I can still do other things on the computer & watch something else on TV, as long as I hit the TV/VCR button. I have had it stop recording 2 times, not sure if it was my computer or the program, but other wise no problems. Very easy 2 use over all.

I have a newer Vista-based PC & downloaded the latest software "patches' from Pinnacle (330MB worth!). The "patches" install fine & everything appears 2 work. Tha hardware supplied works as advertised. It's the software that's questionable.

Instant DVD Recorder works, although it's limited in what it allows you 2 do as far as themes & menus go. I can get it 2 crash reliably when using a certain supplied background music piece. This results in wasted time & a wasted DVD. The version of Studio supplied is a joke. From poor documentation(or maybe the program just doesn't do what it's supposed 2 do) 2 a poor user interface 2 amateurish themes, it's not worth the trouble. Windows Movie Maker + DVD Maker works a lot better.

My husband & I are IT, Web Development people.... so this is 2 say we know a bit about computers... This is by FAR the absolute worst piece of hardware I have ever used.... EVER!!! My husband & I both agree this is the most worthless product we have ever purchased! I can't even believe they can sell this 2 people!! We took it back once & got a new one, thinking it was just a product defect. But, no. This thing just simply sucks! Please, please don't waste your time with this product!!!! I want the 7 hours of my life back that I spent reading FAQ's on this thing & talking 2 Dazzle tech support... which also sucks. And they have no manual 4 this product. What? This product is anything but simple. We both have nearly brand new computers, one w/ XP & one w/ Vista... one a notebook & one a desktop... neither of which we could get 2 work w/ the Dazzle! We ended up buying a dual VHS/DVD player & now THAT is simple! We ended up using the desktop itself & just plugging it in & using particular software that comes with Vista 2 record cassette tapes. So, Dazzle did absolutely nothing... & now we have a VHS/DVD recorder that we can record TV with!! :) I hope this helps somebody out there... then my agony won't be in vain.

Three days, hours of installation efforts, & still not there! And that was with support. And did I tell you that I am pretty good with the computer?

If you have Vista, stop right now! The version that ships does NOT have Vista compatible editing software. You can install & record directly 2 DVD, but you can't edit without the incompatible software.

The software update is available 4 download (1.4 GB), but mine was corrupted twice using their file manager. I downloaded directly, & that file was fine. . . except their own Vista FAQ points 2 the wrong file, so I had 2 download a fourth 1.4 GB file.

I also had 2 uninstall, use a registry deletion tool, & then discover that the serial number failed.

So, be very careful! It is not as simple as you think, especially with Vista!

I read all the reviews & am surprised there was no comment about the problem I encountered----it copied just fine but was not able 2 copy a two hour vhs---the max copy time onto a new dvd is 103 minutes--leaving seventeen minutes that had 2 be put on another dvd. Threw it away.

Dazzle DVD Recorder provides a simple, affordable way 2 make high-quality home video. Let your friends & family enjoy movies on professional-looking DVDs, complete with menus & chapters. This plug-and-play USB 2.0 device captures video 2 DVD, directly from VCRs, camcorders or other video equipment. Add your own menu & chapter functions 4 simple navigation. Burn your video 2 a DVD without first copying files 2 the PC hard drive, saving valuable time & space. Combined with the unique wizard-based, friendly interface of the Dazzle Instant DVD Recorder software, the powerful Dazzle video capture device allows you 2 quickly & affordably back up personal video collections.