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  • Subject: Video Capture
Subject: Video Capture
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  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

You seem to now your stuff my friend. I'm going to post a thread, but as you rob wont see it I thought I'd message you as well. I'd really appreciate it if you could help me with the following:

I have recently purchased 1.3 Tb of storage (split between a C/ of 400gb, and 2 externals, 1 400gb the other 500gb) and want to start capturing footage from my Xbox 360 to these hard-drives to make montages etc. If possible, I’d also like to capture audio in sync with this.

My current setup is as follows:

Xbox 360 with 2 separate output cables. One, the standard non-high def into scart (three pins, the yellow video one and the red and white audio’s) and the other output lead is VGA, which I am current using on my Samsung plasma but also works on my PC monitor. This cable also has a red and white pin coming out of it for audio. It came with an adaptor to join the red and white into a normal mic jack.

A pretty good PC. 2GB Ram, 3.2 GHz dual core processor, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS graphics and like I said 1.3Tb of hard-drive space. The spec isn’t amazing I know, but its okay. It’s a media centre PC, so on the front has a few inputs labelled ‘S-Video 2’, a yellow pin whole with ‘composite video 2’ and then a red and white with audio 2’. I don’t know why they say ‘2’ though as there aren’t these ports in the back to make ‘1’. Although, as I assume I need to buy a capture card, I will not need these no? Or does this imply I have a built in capture card? If so how do I check?. The video card also has 2 output ports, I think these are called HDMI. I use a HDMI 2 VGA lead, that goes into my PC monitor or Samsung TV. This isn’t my card, but this is what the ports look like:

http://www.john-eva.co.uk/Images/Computer_pics/My%20Graphics% 20Card.jpg

Display. I have a Samsung 32” LE32R74BDX, on the back it has HMI/DVI in, PC (which is VGA I think) in, S-video in, Component in, and a couple of scarts. My Sony monitor has a DVI-D and VGA in (although this is labelled ‘HD-15’ for some reason).

IMPORTANT. The Graphics card has DVI-D dual link for digital and analogue. The Sony monitor has DVI-D digital only. You can put a ‘digital’ into an ‘analogue and digital’ but you can’t put an ‘analogue and digital’ into a ‘digital’. See below link for easy explanation:

http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html

How can I therefore capture my 360 footage. It doesn’t have to be in HD quality, just quite a bit better than crappy streamed quality. I don’t want to have to run the signal through my PC and then in to my TV/monitor etc, and that produces lag. And in games like halo 2 you cant be dealing with a delay between when you press the button and seeing the bullets coming out of your gun. So it is assumed I need some sort of equipment to split the audio and video signal coming from the Xbox, one going into my TV and the other going into a capture card. Which brings me on to:

Any suggestions on capture cards? Got about £100 to spare, maybe a bit more if I can get a way better one from not much more than this. Also can you give me any info on the leads etc I will need to connect to the PC/TV. Basically an idiots guide to how I am going to do this.

Thank you for even reading this, as it ended up being quite long. Any help would be great.

Thanks!!

Dan.

  • 06.18.2007 7:50 AM PDT

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Maybe try the flood forum since this really has nothing to do with our beloved Halo 2.

  • 06.18.2007 8:47 AM PDT

Please no group invites... I only play MLG customs and don't spend my time wasting it on groups,clans or any other internet social crap.

I should be able to help you out, if you'd like. I've done my share of testing and messing around.

Personally, I have found it best to work with USB capture cards the best. Especially, if you haven't purchased a well known capture card for you PC, and you understand how to use them. The USB capture cards only provide a small case of lag when viewing the screen. (That does not affect the game, plays just like it normally would, and the lag is NEVER seen, only if your friends want to watch your PC screen instead of your TV)

The USB capture cards, are basically DUMMY proof.

The first thing I woiuld check:
1. Do you have the ability to SPLIT your basic 3 connections? Yellow, White, Red
2. It's the easist but does cause VERY little decompression when viewing it on the PC
3. Simply plug in the tv like normal, and run the split colors into the capture card
4. Install the program onto the PC for the card and simply run the program.
5. It should have a capture tab or setting, and hit start then stop

How mine is connected: (still older school, don't have the cash to upgrade)
1. Run my XBOX connections in VCR/DVD player
2. Run original COAX cable from VCR/DVD into the TV. (like old school nintendo days, play on channel 3 or 4)
3. Run VIDEO OUTPUT into the capture card
4. Doesn't create any problems with splitting the signal, but doesn't give you HD possibilities. (give a little to make it the easiest)

Best USB capture cards, (my own and freind's experinces) all come with a form of Pinnacle Software.. GOOD STUFF

(These are the top 3 I've worked with) $90-$140 in value..
Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Plus USB Video Capture & Editing Suite
Pinnacle Studio MovieBox USB Video Capture & Editing Suite
Dazzle Video Creator Platinum Video/Audio Converter

(Cheaper but have limited software and capture abilities) ($45-$75)
Pinnacle Studio 500 USB
Dazzle DVD Recorder

There are MORE expensive cards as well, but the top 3 are the best bang for your buck and keep things pretty simple to understand. I WOULD NOT ask, anyone at a computer store on how to setup what you want. I did that, and I know computers ands TVs, and Best Buy, Circuit City, and Radio Shack all GUESSED. I figured out the easier ways.

  • 06.18.2007 9:29 AM PDT