TerraTec 10599 Grabster AV350MX

The Terratec Grabster AV 350 MX is a device for transferring analogue video sources, such as a VHS, to the computer. The unit plugs into a USB port, and takes super-VHS, composite and SCART inputs - the latter sets it apart from the 300 MX model, which lacks SCART. The box contained all the cables neccessary, so hooking it up to the VHS and computer was a matter of seconds.The box also comes with a CD rom containing drivers and editing software from MAGIX. Since the AV 350 MX dates back to 2008, the installation instructions are useless with Windows 7, and the MAGIX software simply refused to install through the automated installation. Both the drivers and editing software could be installed manually however, but these are issues that can be damnably frustrating to less technically inclined users.The included editing software is called "Movies on DVD - Terratec edition" and comes from the Berlin-based MAGIX company. MAGIX has made themselves a name in publishing inexpensive, lightweight video and audio editing software, directed at home users. This is fine, but once a lightweight product comes in a even more so "special edition", you bet it means that it has been trimmed down to the very minimum necessary to keep the program from crashing. Unsurprinsingly, it is also the case here: when selecting any "feature" outside the utmost basic, the user is instantly and repeatedly prompted to "purchase the online upgrade", which supposedly renders the product useful. When these offers are rightfully and deservedly declined, said features are ghosted and cannot be selected again.I did manage to capture a couple of VHS tapes, edit and burn them to DVD solely with the included software - before switching to Sony Vegas.Performance-wise the "Grabster" hardware delivers as promised. VHS video quality is always compromised, especially when transferring old tapes, but I was pleasantly surprised how well the audio quality trasferred. As usual when using this type of transferring device, audio and video tracks are offset by a few seconds. An issue which is generally corrected later in the editing software. Thankfully, the MAGIX software included time correction as an available feature.In conclusion, the package is a mixed bag. The "Grabster" transfers the VHS as expected and the inclusion of the necessary cables is a nice touch. combined with the fact that the whole package is relatively inexpensive, I award the "Grabster 350 MX" hardware part 4 stars, which is Amazon for "i like it".The bundling of "light edition" software with hardware is commonplace, but in this case it is most frustrating, as it is not obvious which features are actually available, and the constant barrage of upgrade offers renders the software more bothersome than useful, so no stars there.