MeesterKu

Hi folks, long time no post.

I've been curious about video capture for a while now, but a few multiplayer console games, I'm wondering if the time may well have come to record a couple of these so my friends and I can have a good chuckle at some of our finer (and indeed less fine) moments.

Regardless, as I've already given away in the topic, I'm a complete n00b when it comes to video capture. All I know is that 'you stick one end of a cable in the back of a special card that fits in your PC and one end in the TV'. I have no idea what card is the best and should indeed get or indeed what these cables I slap into the PC and TV are. If I've not driven you away or killed you with laughter at this point, I shall be amazed.

So here I am asking - where do I start? I've got a list of cards here at Overclocker's TV Cards Section, so if anyone has any recommendations I can get from there (which, I think I can in turn get cheaper from a local store), please let me know. Secondly, are the cables I need likely to be provided, or will they incur an extra cost? I think that's all I really needed to know.

Just to clarify, I have little-no desire to capture TV. I'm not a huge TV addict, although I guess the ability to capture that too will be a nice bonus. Also - I haven't got a huge amount to spend; I'm guessing I've got about £60 max for the whole thing. If it's going to cost much more than that, then it's probably not worth it for the time being. That said, if I'm going to end getting a card produces results that look and sound terrible, then maybe I should think about putting the idea off over that too.

If there any other pitfalls I should avoid, please let me know. Thank you in advance! =)

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MeesterKu

Dyre Straits

Hi, MeesterKu,

Don't feel bad at all about asking a 'noob' question here. We were all 'noobs' at one time or another.

As for what you're wanting to do, just about any video card with a TV Out connection will work. AND, as far as I know, the cables needed to do this will be included in the box. They always have for what I've gotten.

What you'll likely end up with is a video card with either or both a S-Video and/or Composite Out connection on the back of the video card. Use the S-Video if possible for a better image. You will then connect this cable to the S-Video IN on the TV...either back or front depending on your TV's features. If you want Audio, you'll need to use a Mini Stereo Plug -> RCA Left/Right audio cable. This one may NOT be included but might be. You can get one at most stereo shops for very little. You'll need to plug the mini Stereo plug into the Line Out of your sound card and then use the Left/Right Audio In connections on the TV.

Once you have these cables connected you'll need to Enable the TV Out feature of your video card and have the TV set to show the input from S-Video. You should then see on the TV screen anything that shows up on the computer monitor.

To actually RECORD you'll need to have the VCR (or other recording device) set to record what's seen on the TV screen.

Hopefully, this helps. Be sure to ask for any further clarification needed.

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Vampyromaniac

I didn't quite understand . . . do you mean to play some console games, and record the gameplay onto your computer?

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BWX

I thought he wanted to capture TV on his computer HD, not a vcr- I think he was talking about Video capture, not TV out on a video card... Maybe I misunderstood though?

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