Plextor has started shipping its hardware video encoder formally unveiled earlier this year. The device that allows to very cost-effectively convert analogue video formats to digital brings terrific opportunities to video enthusiasts.

The Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U allows users to capture video to their computer for editing, storing, and sharing. Users simply connect a video source-such as an analogue or digital camcorder, DVD player, VCR, or television-to one of ConvertX’s AV connections, which include RCA Composite Audio/Video Input, S-Video Input. The ConvertX PX-M402U automatically converts the analogue video into a digital format for editing, authoring, and recording on media.

Video capture formats include MPEG-1 (VideoCD), MPEG-2, (DVD), MPEG-4, and DivX. The ConvertX PX-M402U supports major international video broadcast standards, NTSC, PAL, and SECAM, making it the ideal product for virtually any video source. The ConvertX PX-M402U connects to host computers via the USB 2.0 interface.

ConvertX comes with easy-to-use WinDVD Creator 2 software from InterVideo with Dolby Digital and DivX encoding support.

The Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U is available now in the USA, Canada and the UK for the price of around $160.