After spending hours trying the many tips and instructions on setting up your PC to record via firewire, and then finding out that the mitsu 1100u doesn't stream, i had just about given up. I was just about the buy the 2000u so that I had an Svideo out, I found this...(well, anti spam said "no url's". so paste this and google it please)

A D S PYRO 1394DV (API-312) (API312) Video Capture

A: would this do the trick? could I have finally found a way to use this dumb VCR to dump all my old tapes? You guys are all so knowledgable, this has got to be the best place to ask this question.

B: If not, anyone know if the board is the same on the inside of both mitsus? could I crack the case open and solder an s connection? do you think it has the solder points but just omits the connection?

C: whats the best editing software? I haven't edited since the days of using video toaster on an amiga.

I didn't know if this should go here or in processors, but I figure the people with experience on using the mitsu decks would most likely be here. oh and BTW, this card came up when I did a search for mpeg encoding. If it doesn't have an encoder(the vcr), my logic was, add an encoder(mpeg hardware encoder) inline to the PC. am I correct in this thinking?

Thanks

You never say what exactly you're trying to achieve
I was attempting to utilize the best connection out of the two (firewire and composite) in order to transfer hundreds of tapes. I was hoping to edit, compress and combine some of them. I bought the 1100 new for 85 bucks on clearence at bestbuy. I was trying to get the most "bang for the buck" so to speak. I actually didn't notice that it didn't have s connections. I assumed, foolishly, that a "high end" high definition VCR would have the most basic of connections that can be found on the most run of the mill equipment now days. When it indicated that it played svhs, i thought it would have to have an s connection. who plays svhs through a composite connection. I was particulary interested in transfering about 30 svhs tapes in my collection and thought I had stumbled on the "perfect deal".
I have been determined to find a way to make it work. Stuborn stupidity I supposed. I was determined not to fail.

You never say what exactly you're trying to achieve. It seems you want to archive old analog VHS tapes to PC? Who recommended you buying mitsu 1100u for this purpose?! I don't think 2000u would be any better deal either, as it seem you just want a standard analog VCR and not a D-VHS deck.

If that is the case, then a $50 mpeg2 hardware capture board/usb dongle + $free analog S-VHS VCR with S-video out is all you need to archive all your analog VHS.

The pyro thing captures in DV, which might or might not be what you want, if you plan to do a lot of editing to the material (cutting, effects, etc) then that might be a better choice since DV is easier editable than mpeg, but if you just want to go direct to DVD a mpeg capture boad might be better choice.