Pinnacle Video Transfer

With a PSP connected, for example, the resolution remains 320 x 240 no matter what, so improving the quality simply ups the audio and video encoding bit-rates. Using an iPod, Good and Better run at 320 x 240, but Best is 640 x 480 - again, audio and video bit-rates rise as you step up from one mode to the next.

The only controls: two switches under the silver ring

The best possible resolution is only achieved when you connect a storage device: select Best quality and the resolution is set at 720 x 576 in the PAL world or 720 x 480 in North America and other countries that use the NTSC standard. But the overall video encoding rate is 1.5Mb/s - the same as the Best iPod mode.

With the source connected to the destination through the Video Transfer, it's just a matter of hitting the source's Play button and the Video Transfer's Rec key then leaving them to get on with it.

The Video Transfer generates its H.264-encoded .MP4 files in real time, so it's not the quickest encoding system but at least it's not tying up your computer while it's in action. Once you set it going, all you need to do is remember to go an switch it off again.

Ready for standard-definition input

So is the simplicity of operation matched with quality recording? Unfortunately, not entirely, no.