Pinnacle Video Transfer

MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, Xvid, WMV and 3GPP. If these words look familiar to you, then don't bother paying AU$249.95 for the Pinnacle Video Transfer as there are a wide range of freeware conversion tools on the Internet. However, if you are one of those still scratching your heads, then this device is a god-send for moving video onto your multimedia player, especially iPods.

Design
The palm-sized device sports a clean look and, other than the control wheel at the center, lacks obvious exterior controls. This underscores the simplicity of the device since the only thing you need to do is set the movie quality and record.

On one side are a USB port and power inlet, while the other side sports composite-video, S-video and stereo audio inputs. Note that you should plug the video feed to only either the composite or S-video port, not both at the same time. The power adapter, thankfully, is no brick and similar to most mobile phone chargers.

It is a pity HDMI is not available since this format is rapidly gaining popularity. With more laptops sporting HDMI ports, it would have allowed PC gamers to record their gameplay for later analysis (or for boosting their egos).

Features
Using any USB storage device, the Pinnacle Video Transfer grabs video feeds and converts them to H.264 formats in real time. On a PC, you may need to download Quicktime to play H.264 files, though most mobile phones can play them back natively.

There are three quality levels to choose from. On USB storage, the lowest setting offers 320 x 240 resolution, the medium quality outputs at 640 x 480, while the maximum resolution caps at 720 x 576. Plugging a PlayStation Portable directly to the Pinnacle Video Transfer allows you to capture only 320 x 240 videos on all settings, though higher quality means smoother videos and better audio.

On the iPod, the lower settings capture 320 x 240 pixels, while the highest level offers 640 x 480 resolution. Direct transfer works for all iPods with the exception of the iPod Touch and iPhone. The latter devices require the video to be uploaded via iTunes on a Mac. When connected, the Pinnacle device can also charge the iPod battery. Changing modes is as simple as pressing the Mode button, with one LED light representing the lowest setting and three the highest. One feature we would have liked is timed recordings. Currently, you have to be physically present to start and stop the capture process.

Performance
According to the manufacturer, a 250GB harddisk can store up to 640 hours of video on the lowest setting, while a 30GB iPod and 2GB PlayStation Portable can hold a maximum of 85 hours and 7.5 hours, respectively. With the harddisk plugged in, you can literally hold almost a month's worth of television programs.

We found the unit easy to use even for those not familiar with consumer electronics. The only caveat is that the firmware needs to be updated out-of-the-box to allow recording on the iPod. If there are any input errors or issues with the storage device, red flashing LEDs will announce that troubleshooting is required.

The captured video is smooth and audio playback is acceptable. However, there are a few seconds of lag between pressing the Rec button and actual video capture, so you may want to err on the side of caution by starting the recording early.

Service And Support
The Pinnacle Video Transfer comes with a two-year warranty. The support Web site is quite comprehensive, with email, telephone and even live chat for certified technicians to assist you. Software and hardware updates are also available. It is advisable for new users to register their product online as some of the services require you to log in before access. Should hardware issues arise, the unit will have to be brought down to a local service center for diagnosis and repair.