What Hardware for Converting Analog Video Tape to Digital?

[Alex Ethridge]

I purchesed a conversion box a few years ago for about $200 and never used it even once before I was fool enough to loan it to someone who moved hundreds of miles away who also says now he doesn't have it. It was an ADS Tech box; I don't remember the model.

Now I'm up against the task of buying another and I want some advice on what to choose, how/why to choose and what features/specifications to look for.

I'll be converting some old VHS and Hi8 to a digital format and I understand there are devices that have different rates (megs per minute, I guess), FPS and color depth.

I've seen some cheapies on e-bay for under 20 dollars; but, it seems too cheap to do the job. Surely there are plenty of gotcha's in one that cheap.

I saw this one at ADSTech.com ($50).
http://www.adstech.com/products/USBAV-191-EF/intro/USBAV_191_intro.asp?pid=USBAV-192-EF

Would it be as good for my limited needs as this one ($90):
http://www.adstechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2

Then there are these, one with and one without software ($180 and $200):
http://www.adstech.com/products/API-558-EFS/intro/API-558_intro.asp?pid=API-558-EFS
https://www.adstechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3

Advice and technical understanding will be appreciated.

[Alan Ball]

This time, you have asked a question almost wholly outside my expertise. Then again, we have a few video people among our members. One of them might be able to chime in.

[Alex Ethridge]

Outside mine, too. I know about enough to know I shouldn't just buy the first thing I see.