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EMTEC N100

musia -  
KolonelMoutarde Posted messages 1 Status Member -
Hello,
I bought the EMTEC N100 to digitize analog video tapes. The N100 manual is simplistic. I have XP and have formatted an external hard drive to FAT32. I connected my VCR to the N100 with the provided RCA cable to the A/V IN port of the N100 and then linked the N100 to my PC with a USB2 cable. I started playing the tape and pressed the "record" button on the N100 remote. Nothing happens, and I have no information on my screen. Of course, my external hard drive is connected to the PC. Where is the mistake? On the other hand, I connected the N100 to my TV and accessed the menu, so I'm having trouble understanding how this thing works, and thank you for helping me.
musia
Configuration: Windows XP / Internet Explorer 7.0

15 answers

  1. LOLO12
     
    Hello, I also have an Emtec N100, and after many attempts, it turns out that the N100 seems to have a problem with USB; I think the transfer rate is too low to record directly on this port. However, it works perfectly with SD or SD HC (yes, it takes SD HC). So don’t keep pushing with the USB, which stops the recording after a few seconds.
    Just a little clarification: I understood that you plugged your laptop into the USB port of the Emtec, big mistake, that port is made for connecting a USB stick or an external HDD. Check the USB port on your laptop, I think it might be fried or (and) the one on the Emtec.
    I hope this sheds some light for you and others regarding this little box, inexpensive, that works great.
    8
    1. Davidoff
       
      Hello, thanks for the info. I tried with a 16GB SD HC card formatted in FAT32 and it is not recognized. Which card did you succeed with? Capacity? Type of format?

      Thank you.
      0
      1. KolonelMoutarde Posted messages 1 Status Member > Davidoff
         
        For the follow-up of a possible response! Thank you in advance! ;-)
        0
  2. leny
     
    You should not connect emtec to the PC!!!
    It is not a computer storage device....

    You need to connect the scope AND the USB disk to emtec, start reading on
    the scope and recording with the remote control...

    Emtec reads the input stream from the SCART, digitizes it, and
    sends it in mp4 to the disk!!!
    You just have to play the file on the computer by connecting the USB disk
    to the computer and launching any playback program (media
    player or VLC for example)

    The USB port of emtec is a HOST port, it is clearly stated in the manual...
    The connection and the operation are quite simple!!!

    One piece of advice: think before criticizing!!! ;o))
    1
    1. michalac Posted messages 5 Status Member
       
      Good evening, I used the N100 as explained in the manual, from scope to USB stick or SD card, recording is not a problem, but as soon as I start playback on the PC, none of my players read my files!!! As you said, "the connections and the handling are fine, but it gets complicated afterwards, and I am not the only one, I have a colleague who bought the N100 at the same time as me, he can't even record!!!!! There must still be a problem!!!
      And on top of that, EMTEC does not respond to my messages, it's quite serious for such a powerful manufacturer. I have already prepared my N100 to return it to the store.
      Good evening. Michalac
      0
    2. musia
       
      "you need to connect the scope AND the USB disk to Emtec". Leny, this USB disk is an external hard drive connected to the USB port on the front of the EMTEC, right? I'm not the only one having issues with the EMTEC 100; just reading the forum is enough to see that, so I took the liberty of criticizing it. Is it also true that the IN and OUT scart cables need to be reversed because, according to an internet user, there might be a labeling error? It's a shame that we can't share connection diagrams on the forum because I had prepared one, and it's clearer that way. We could do it outside the forum, via email. I'm at musialo2@yahoo.fr.
      0
  3. glandu Posted messages 25506 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 091
     
    A little idea with the Emtec, there is a CD and a software to install?
    Go through your computer to digitize and save to see.
    0
    1. MUSIAL
       
      No, there are neither CDs nor software included with the device; it is normally ready to use. I visited their website without any result as I can't find the N100 (weird), so I sent them an email that went unanswered. See you!
      0
      1. glandu Posted messages 25506 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 091 > MUSIAL
         
        well received
        0
      2. MUSIAL > glandu Posted messages 25506 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         
        "Check on your computer because your system may be using the computer for scanning."
        Here are my connections: the external hard drive is connected to a USB power strip connected to the computer (PC) (I want to specify that when I connect my digital camera to this power strip, it is recognized by the PC, so the problem cannot be there). For the N100, back output of the VHS VCR using a scart/RCA cable to the rear A/V in of the N100, front connection of the N100 via USB cable to the USB power strip. It would be clearer with a diagram, but there's nothing special.
        0
  4. duchastel
     
    I have the same problem, it doesn't work! Yet it just came back from repair because I didn't even have the menu before! It seems to save, but there's no way to read the file!
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  6. musia
     
    She's the best! EMTEC doesn't have a mailing address (I looked on the site) and doesn't respond to emails. So we need to rely on internet users who own this thing, and it's going to take a while to manage...
    0
  7. glandu Posted messages 25506 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 091
     
    I'm afraid my fears were confirmed: cheap USB drives can cause installation problems. Read this:
    Copy VHS tapes or analog camcorder footage to PC
    You need an external box that supports the "hardware" encoding to digital
    of analog origin films and a USB connection (to relieve the computer's processor) to the computer. I direct you to reliable and widespread equipment like Dazzle and the standard model "Video
    DVD Creator Platinum". Other models with varying functions and software may also suit you, but make sure to check the specifications and what you need. Generally, the conversion format is MPEG2 that you can use to burn a compatible DVD for all players. The package includes a Pinnacle editing software that is more or less limited depending on the models (I use a "Mowie Box" with the advanced editing software Studio 11). You can use it or not to "arrange" your videos before burning a DVD.
    There are other brands, but avoid cheap products that can lead to trouble.
    PS: I want to clarify that the quality of the result can only be judged on a television screen.
    A link: https://www.cherchons.com/dossier/dazzle.html
    PS: For a VCR and a SCART output, you may need a SCART adapter with a switcher in/out and RCA connections for sound and SVHS or yellow composite RCA.
    0
  8. LOLO12
     
    Another thing, to replay your videos on PC, VLC does it wonderfully, for converting them to Xvid or even DVD I use Clone2Go Video Converter, which does it wonderfully too, for free.
    0
  9. MUSIA
     
    Thank you for your response. Here are my connections: VHS VCR to EMTEC A/V IN using RCA cables from the back, USB cable from the EMTEC front panel to the PC USB input. However, the external hard drive formatted in FAT32 does not recognize this connection. On the back of the EMTEC, there is an A/V output. The two supplied cables are identical (RCA - jack plug). If I connect one cable to the EMTEC A/V OUT, I end up with RCA plugs that I don’t know where to connect. I tried using a USB stick in the EMTEC front panel to transfer the video to it, but to no avail; no red LED indicates recording. I can try with a Memory Stick (I have one from SONY). Additionally, how can I have visual control of the transfer?
    0
  10. vivil60
     
    Good evening. What a hassle this thing is. Everything is connected... well, I think, and whatever I do, there's no video signal, no video signal. Is it a problem with the VCR being too old? I connected the IN to the VCR to the SCART. I connected the OUT to the TV to see what I'm doing. And I can't record anything. I'm stuck. Other than trying with another VCR :/
    If anyone has an idea...
    0
  11. DD60120
     
    Hi, try swapping the SCART connectors only and it should work.
    0
  12. vivil60
     
    Well, thank you. Just reversing the plugs makes it work. I admit I followed the manual and I would never have thought to reverse them.
    Thank you!
    0
  13. musia
     
    Inverting the peritels, what does it mean between the yellow (video), red, and white (stereo audio) connectors, which ones to invert? EMTEC 100 comes with 2 RCA composite A/V cables and 2 RCA-PERITEL adapters.
    A+
    MUSIA
    0
    1. vivil60
       
      So actually you have both SCART adapters. In the manual, they say to connect the in to the VCR. And! The trick is to connect the out... who knows why, but it works. Well, out of two videos (my wedding), I managed to get one. The other is an empty file of 1.9 GB... it's a bit glitchy, but when it works, it's really nice.
      0
    2. musia
       
      So, to wrap it up, if I understand correctly, on the EMTEC, you need to swap the in and out. They can't be proud of it, that's why they're not responding to emails. But you’re not telling me if we can see what’s going on to get an idea of the quality. See you!
      0
    3. vivil60
       
      Actually, just the adapter for the SCART in and out. The in and out cables remain (the in goes to the recorder with the SCART out adapter) and the out goes to the TV with the SCART in adapter... or without it, depending on your setup.
      And yes, you can see live what you’re recording. In fact, it’s equivalent to what you have on the tape... afterward, we can probably edit it!
      0
    4. michalac Posted messages 5 Status Member
       
      Hello, I have problems with the Emtec 100 too. I bought it two weeks ago. I tested recording with a USB stick on the TV; after a lot of adjustments, the recording finally started, but after 50 seconds, nothing. I tried to play the recorded piece, and a message says "wrong codec!" On the PC, the same thing, no player can read it!
      I then tried on a scope, and for recording, no problem, neither with USB nor with SD.
      However, it's the same; I can't play it on the TV or the PC, not even with VLC, displaying "an 'UNDF' format" on the player, impossible to read it."
      Does anyone have an idea? Thank you in advance.
      0
    5. musia
       
      michalac, look at what DD60120 and VIVIL60 are saying on the forum. We need to swap the IN and OUT connectors for the VCR. Since I only work on PC, I tried but it didn't take, I need to dedicate more time to it. Also, check the manual, page F7, FAQ, 3rd box which states that you need to format part of the hard drive in FAT32. From everything I've read about EMTEC100, I can now say that we really got taken for a ride! Good luck!
      0
  15. musia
     
    Did you consult LENY's response? Here it is:
    You must not connect the emtec to the PC!!!
    It is not a computer storage device....

    You need to connect both the scope AND the USB disk to the emtec, start playback on
    the scope and recording with the remote control...

    The emtec reads the input signal from the SCART, digitizes it, and
    sends it as mp4 to the disk!!!
    You can then read the file on the computer by connecting the USB disk
    to the computer and launching any media player program (media
    player or VLC for example)

    The USB port of the emtec is a HOST port, it's clearly stated in the manual...
    The connection and the operation are actually simple!!!

    One piece of advice: think before you criticize!!! ;o))
    0
  16. ninine
     
    Bonjour, je fais exactement ce que vous expliquez, mais je ne peux pas relire mes enregistrements sur mon ordinateur alors que j'ai Media Player et VLC. Ça me dit que le format n'est pas supporté alors que c'est du MP4. Ce qui est bizarre aussi, c'est que pendant l'enregistrement, mon N100 coupe l'image de l'écran. Je n'y comprends rien, est-ce normal ? Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît.
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