Trip...I have a Formac Studio DV/TV, so I can't speak about dazzle or any others. But on my setup, I just run out of the computer through FireWire into the Formac, and from there with RCA jacks out to the ins on a VCR. I can then preview whatever I want on a TV. I also split my cable and send one signal to the TV, one to the Formac, and one to the VCR. I can record TV shows if I want, but since I don't watch TV its not something I have done more than a couple of times, but it works fine.
I know a lot of people don't like Formac, and based on their latest antics, it's not hard to see why. I even have reservations about suggesting their DVD burners. I just got their new Devideon with the A06 drive. Drive is nice, but the build qaulity is a bit low--at least compared to my Studio DV. Further, I'll admit their software mostly sucks...
All that said, I wouldn't give up my Studio DV for anything. I have it connected all the time to my cable line, both the ins and outs on my VCR and with FireWire into my Mac. It also has S-video out. It's a great piece of work that doesn't exactly what it is supposed to do.
I can import into iMovie and Final Cut Express, and I use it for making VHS copies of video projects for people. That my vcr has ins and outs on the back, as well as ins on the front, I never need to disconnect anything when working with it. I push my different analogue video camers through the front of the vcr and can import just about anything I want. On other cool feature that I figured out the other day--actually, not sure if this was ever intended by the manufacturer--I can use my old-school video camers as webcams through this thing. Just have to get one of those iMic's for audio, but the video is kick butt.
Too bad it's such a great product from such a messed up company....hopefully they can pull their act together soon.
Eddie