Questions: Capturing to a notebook.

2005-01-05 08:20:44 pm

I own a Dell Inspiron 8600 notebook. I may possibly be looking into getting something set up so that I may capture from my TV. I know nothing when it comes to capturing, but I'm sure I could pick it up pretty quick.

Being that I own a notebook, I guess my options are limited to an external video capture card (and I'd rather not open up my notebook anyway). What I need to know is: which external video capture card would be the best? Keep in mind that I'm looking for something inexpensive but will capture good enough.

I have a TV in my bedroom (where I do my gaming) that just has a Video-IN (yellow) and one Audio-IN (white) connector. The TV in our living room is a flat screen (that can change from 4:3 to 16:9 formats--don't know if that makes a difference when capturing or not). That TV has two sets of Video-IN (yellow), Audio-IN (red and white), as well as an S-Video connector (oh, and two sets of groups of 6 connectors; one group has a blue connector).

So the external video capture card, the cables needed, where I can get them, and about how much I'd be spending (U.S. Dollars) are pretty much all I need to know (and I'll assume I can figure out the rest by using the FAQ).

Thanks in advance.

Thread title:

I own a [url=http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspn_8600?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs]Dell Inspiron 8600[/url] notebook. I may possibly be looking into getting something set up so that I may capture from my TV.  I know nothing when it comes to capturing, but I'm sure I could pick it up pretty quick.

Being that I own a notebook, I guess my options are limited to an external video capture card (and I'd rather not open up my notebook anyway).  What I need to know is: which external video capture card would be the best?  Keep in mind that I'm looking for something inexpensive but will capture good enough.

I have a TV in my bedroom (where I do my gaming) that just has a Video-IN (yellow) and one Audio-IN (white) connector.  The TV in our living room is a flat screen (that can change from 4:3 to 16:9 formats--don't know if that makes a difference when capturing or not).  That TV has two sets of Video-IN (yellow), Audio-IN (red and white), as well as an S-Video connector (oh, and two sets of groups of 6 connectors; one group has a blue connector).

So the external video capture card, the cables needed, where I can get them, and about how much I'd be spending (U.S. Dollars) are pretty much all I need to know (and I'll assume I can figure out the rest by using the FAQ).

Thanks in advance.

nate

2005-01-05 08:43:59 pm

hoo boy.

from what i can discern, capturing on a laptop is just not the same as capturing on a desktop at present. however, there is at least one (albeit inferior) option available to you.

ekarderif's ati device is somewhat expensive iirc, but should do what you need so long as you heed his advice (as using that device differs significantly from what i instruct you to do in the faq). he should be able to tell you more about what you can expect from that device.

i know that's not very good, but it's a start, at least.

btw, your flat screen tv sounds bad ass. it almost certainly has every output you could ever need.

Ekarderif

2005-01-05 09:03:50 pm

I'm currently using ATI TV Wonder USB 2.0, which probably costs around $80 if you shop around (I bought mine as soon right when it came out for $100). There are quite a few USB cards out there now, but my best recommendation is to settle for USB 2.0 as 1.1 is slower and lower quality. Of course if your laptop doesn't support 2.0, things are different.

The biggest problem of USB is still the lack of speed. The quality of my captures is quite good (I can actually compare stuff to Nate's beast :P, even do high quality 640x480 at 60 fps pretty well), despite the lack of VirtualDub compatibility. However, there's about half a second of lag (which I bet is on all USB cards). Of course, when capturing TV stuff or VCR stuff, this is no big deal, but it's almost impossible to play games with. If you can split the feed coming from your system into two parts, direct capture should be fine.

The card itself comes with jacks for S-Video, composite, and coax. ATI's proprietary program is a bit weak in terms of options, and it captures in MPEG2 by default (and if you switch over to AVI, you start losing frames like mad). The sound is mediocre at times; it seems the feed is naturally too loud and overloads the capture so if you can, turn down the sound.

So yeah, that's my experience :P. I can give a demo video of the high quality some time if you wish.

I'm currently using ATI TV Wonder USB 2.0, which probably costs around $80 if you shop around (I bought mine as soon right when it came out for $100). There are quite a few USB cards out there now, but my best recommendation is to settle for USB 2.0 as 1.1 is slower and lower quality. Of course if your laptop doesn't support 2.0, things are different.

The biggest problem of USB is still the lack of speed. The quality of my captures is quite good (I can actually compare stuff to Nate's beast :P, even do high quality 640x480 at 60 fps pretty well), despite the lack of VirtualDub compatibility. However, there's about half a second of lag (which I bet is on all USB cards). Of course, when capturing TV stuff or VCR stuff, this is no big deal, but it's almost impossible to play games with. If you can split the feed coming from your system into two parts, direct capture should be fine.

The card itself comes with jacks for S-Video, composite, and coax. ATI's proprietary program is a bit weak in terms of options, and it captures in MPEG2 by default (and if you switch over to AVI, you start losing frames like mad). The sound is mediocre at times; it seems the feed is naturally too loud and overloads the capture so if you can, turn down the sound.

So yeah, that's my experience :P. I can give a demo video of the high quality some time if you wish.

Wilson

2005-01-05 10:13:31 pm

Quote:

btw, your flat screen tv sounds bad ass. it almost certainly has every output you could ever need.

It is. And I'd totally play on it all the time if it weren't for the fact that my 14 month old daughter loves technology and opens up the Gamecube lid anytime I'm playing near her.

Quote:

Of course if your laptop doesn't support 2.0, things are different.

No problem there :)

Quote:

there's about half a second of lag (which I bet is on all USB cards). Of course, when capturing TV stuff or VCR stuff, this is no big deal, but it's almost impossible to play games with. If you can split the feed coming from your system into two parts, direct capture should be fine.

When you say it's almost impossible to play games with, how do you mean? Is the audio and video out of sync? Does the actual video capture lag/skip (and wouldn't that depend on how much memory and how fast a processor you have?)? Or do you mean the that there is a delay in the time from what you see on the screen to the computer?

Do you split your feed to direct capture (I'll assume since you suggested it)? Is this done by using more cables, or must I be more technical and cut wires open and cross them (like MacGyver). And how much extra would this cost (sorry, lot of questions, I know)?

And sure, I'd like to see a high quality demo. Thank you.

[quote]btw, your flat screen tv sounds bad ass. it almost certainly has every output you could ever need.[/quote]

It is.  And I'd totally play on it all the time if it weren't for the fact that my 14 month old daughter loves technology and opens up the Gamecube lid anytime I'm playing near her.

[quote]Of course if your laptop doesn't support 2.0, things are different.[/quote]

No problem there   :)

[quote]there's about half a second of lag (which I bet is on all USB cards). Of course, when capturing TV stuff or VCR stuff, this is no big deal, but it's almost impossible to play games with. If you can split the feed coming from your system into two parts, direct capture should be fine.[/quote]

When you say it's almost impossible to play games with, how do you mean?  Is the audio and video out of sync?  Does the actual video capture lag/skip (and wouldn't that depend on how much memory and how fast a processor you have?)?  Or do you mean the that there is a delay in the time from what you see on the screen to the computer?

Do you split your feed to direct capture (I'll assume since you suggested it)?  Is this done by using more cables, or must I be more technical and cut wires open and cross them (like MacGyver).  And how much extra would this cost (sorry, lot of questions, I know)?

And sure, I'd like to see a high quality demo.  Thank you.

Ekarderif

2005-01-05 10:51:00 pm

Quote from Wilson:

When you say it's almost impossible to play games with, how do you mean? Is the audio and video out of sync? Does the actual video capture lag/skip (and wouldn't that depend on how much memory and how fast a processor you have?)? Or do you mean the that there is a delay in the time from what you see on the screen to the computer?

The bolded part :P. AFAIK there's no way around it since USB 2.0 is a bit slow when compared to PCI.

Quote from Wilson:

Do you split your feed to direct capture (I'll assume since you suggested it)? Is this done by using more cables, or must I be more technical and cut wires open and cross them (like MacGyver). And how much extra would this cost (sorry, lot of questions, I know)?

Well, I'm taking the lazy way out and playing onto VHS tapes and then transfering over to the computer. Some loss of quality I know but it's good enough for most things. As for splitting the feed, there are 3 possibilities:
1. Radio Shack sells this one device that'll split the signal for about $20. If you can find it elsewhere, it'll probably be cheaper but keep in mind to get a powered one or the quality will degrade. Also, try to get an S-Video splitter, though a composite splitter is good enough (but not the best ;)).
2. You can splice cables together yourself for maybe $5, though I'm not sure how it's done exactly or I would do it myself. A good project for me to tackle once I learn to wire more things.
3. Use a fairly new VCR as the splitter. Plug the coax into the TV and the composite out into the card. The quality should be the same as plugging composite directly into the card and you can play off the TV instead.

Quote from Wilson:

And sure, I'd like to see a high quality demo. Thank you.

There's no guarantees when I can get it, but most likely by the end of next Monday at the latest. No GameCube = Evil or Very Mad

.

[quote="Wilson"]When you say it's almost impossible to play games with, how do you mean?  Is the audio and video out of sync?  Does the actual video capture lag/skip (and wouldn't that depend on how much memory and how fast a processor you have?)?  [b]Or do you mean the that there is a delay in the time from what you see on the screen to the computer?[/b][/quote]
The bolded part :P. AFAIK there's no way around it since USB 2.0 is a bit slow when compared to PCI.

[quote="Wilson"]Do you split your feed to direct capture (I'll assume since you suggested it)?  Is this done by using more cables, or must I be more technical and cut wires open and cross them (like MacGyver).  And how much extra would this cost (sorry, lot of questions, I know)?[/quote]
Well, I'm taking the lazy way out and playing onto VHS tapes and then transfering over to the computer. Some loss of quality I know but it's good enough for most things. As for splitting the feed, there are 3 possibilities:
1. Radio Shack sells this one device that'll split the signal for about $20. If you can find it elsewhere, it'll probably be cheaper but keep in mind to get a powered one or the quality will degrade. Also, try to get an S-Video splitter, though a composite splitter is good enough (but not the best ;)).
2. You can splice cables together yourself for maybe $5, though I'm not sure how it's done exactly or I would do it myself. A good project for me to tackle once I learn to wire more things.
3. Use a fairly new VCR as the splitter. Plug the coax into the TV and the composite out into the card. The quality should be the same as plugging composite directly into the card and you can play off the TV instead.

[quote="Wilson"]And sure, I'd like to see a high quality demo.  Thank you.[/quote]
There's no guarantees when I can get it, but most likely by the end of next Monday at the latest. No GameCube = :evil:.

StarmanHaxor

2005-01-06 08:52:32 pm

god its been so long sice i have done this....lets see....I have an rca plug coming from the gamecube -> VCR. My VCR has an RCA out to the video compostite of my piece of gunship pinnace cap. card, and an RCA to mic jack converter for the audio. (no audio composite). When i b00t the GCN, it goes to my VCR, possibly to my compy, and the cable goes to my TV. :D also the RCA -> Compy is for using the vcr to change channels. So I watch with no lag on my tv, while it records with some lag on my pc, but doesnt show up laggy on the AVI file.

Ekarderif

2005-01-11 02:55:18 pm

Well, here are some demonstration videos. A day late, yes I know, but beats never at all right? This was direct capture with restoring the 60 FPS from interlaced and resized to 640x480 and compressed with 4000 kbps DivX; no other video filters, editing, etc.
http://www.metroid2002.com/ekarderif/nuck/showcase1.avi
http://www.metroid2002.com/ekarderif/nuck/showcase2.avi

nate

2005-01-11 09:08:45 pm

wow. that is not bad.

USBCD36

2005-01-12 07:02:56 pm

This is a subject where Windows users have to yield to Mac users. I checked your specs and found you have a Firewire port. On your computer, it would be called an IEEE 1394 or in Sony land, i-Link. What you need is either a DV (Digital Video) camcorder or an analog to digital video converter. For any of these, you will want DV importing software. Also, consider investing in a large hard drive. Uncompressed DV video eats about 200 MB/min.

Some simple converters are:
The PYRO A/V Link(You will want the GameCube Component Video Out for this one. You can get it directly from Nintendo.)

The Formac Studio (You will want the GameCube Component Video Out for this one too.) You will also need to find your own importing software because Formac includes Mac software only. Laughing

Any switchers yet?

…And the Dazzle which actually has a USB 2.0 interface.

The standalone converters provide a good way to import video to your computer, but they cost a lot for what they are. A better option would be a good DV camcorder. Check these out:

The Canon ZR90 is a cheap option, but probably not the best for you.

The Canon Optura 40 is a MUCH better option, though much pricier. It also has 3 seperate CCDs, which is unusual, but VERY good for its class. It has a better bang-for-your-buck ratio too. It is the only consumer camcorder capable of true 16:9 widescreen.

Overall, I'd say either get the Optura or get the PYRO. Any way you go, make sure you get the following:

a DV-DV Firewire Cable (4-pin to 4-pin) for a DV camera
-or-
a Firewire-DV cable (6-pin to 4-pin) cable for a standalone converter

1-3 Video splitters (1 if you are going with simple video-L/R audio, 3 if you are going composite video-L/R audio)

2 Audio splitters (should be the same as the video ones)

3-5 10' AV cables (for connecting your GameCube to your sw33t TV, again, 3 for simple V L/R A and 5 for composite)

3-5 short AV cables (from the splitters to your converter, again, 3 for simple…)

a video import program such as Adobe Premere (included with the PYRO)

If you have all of that, you are good to go :D

This is a subject where Windows users have to yield to Mac users.  I checked your specs and found you have a Firewire port.  On your computer, it would be called an IEEE 1394 or in Sony land, i-Link.  What you need is either a DV (Digital Video) camcorder or an analog to digital video converter.  For any of these, you will want DV importing software.  Also, consider investing in a large hard drive.  Uncompressed DV video eats about 200 MB/min.

Some simple converters are:  
[url=http://www.adstech.com/products/API-555/intro/api555_intro.asp?pid=API-555]The PYRO A/V Link[/url](You will want the GameCube Component Video Out for this one.  You can get it directly from Nintendo.)

[url=http://www.formac.co.uk/html/products/av/stud_1.htm]The Formac Studio[/url] (You will want the GameCube Component Video Out for this one too.)  You will also need to find your own importing software because Formac includes Mac software only.  :lol:  Any switchers yet?

[url=http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1426&Langue_ID=7]…And the Dazzle[/url] which actually has a USB 2.0 interface.

The standalone converters provide a good way to import video to your computer, but they cost a lot for what they are.  A better option would be a good DV camcorder.  Check these out:

[url=http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_ZR90/4505-6500_7-30671351.html?subj=Canon+ZR90&part=rss]The Canon ZR90[/url] is a cheap option, but probably not the best for you.

[url=http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_ZR90/4505-6500_7-30671351.html?subj=Canon+ZR90&part=rss]The Canon Optura 40[/url] is a MUCH better option, though much pricier.  It also has 3 seperate CCDs, which is unusual, but VERY good for its class.  It has a better bang-for-your-buck ratio too.  It is the only consumer camcorder capable of true 16:9 widescreen.

Overall, I'd say either get the Optura or get the PYRO.  Any way you go, make sure you get the following:

a DV-DV Firewire Cable (4-pin to 4-pin) for a DV camera
-or-
a Firewire-DV cable (6-pin to 4-pin) cable for a standalone converter

1-3 Video splitters (1 if you are going with simple video-L/R audio, 3 if you are going composite video-L/R audio)

2 Audio splitters (should be the same as the video ones)

3-5 10' AV cables (for connecting your GameCube to your sw33t TV, again, 3 for simple V L/R A and 5 for composite)

3-5 short AV cables (from the splitters to your converter, again, 3 for simple…)

a video import program such as Adobe Premere (included with the PYRO)

If you have all of that, you are good to go :D

Ekarderif

2005-01-12 07:27:18 pm

Yes, I'm sure when someone asks for an external capture card, you should always list out the best digital camcorders.

Wilson

2005-01-12 09:52:03 pm

Quote from Ekarderif:

Well, here are some demonstration videos. A day late, yes I know, but beats never at all right?

That's a pretty good capture, although I'm seeing a fraction-of-a-second lag every one to two seconds. Is this normal, or is my computer doing this? The quality is very good though.

Quote from USBCD36:

I checked your specs and found you have a Firewire port. On your computer, it would be called an IEEE 1394 or in Sony land, i-Link.

I didn't know IEEE 1394 was firewire. Before my laptop, I was using a 7-year-old PC. I'm behind on the times with certain technology and I'm trying to catch up.

Quote from USBCD36:

What you need is either a DV (Digital Video) camcorder or an analog to digital video converter.... The Canon Optura 40 is a MUCH better option, though much pricier. It also has 3 seperate CCDs, which is unusual, but VERY good for its class. It has a better bang-for-your-buck ratio too. It is the only consumer camcorder capable of true 16:9 widescreen.

I'd actually like to own a DV cam anyway. So maybe this would work for me. Hoping not to spend too much money though. 9 to 15 cords sounds like a lot though. Hopefully those are inexpensive? Besides capturing game play and TV, I'd like to edit my own videos. And if 200 MB per minute is the best I can get, with the 20 GB I have left, that's only about 130 minutes estimated?) worth of capturing. I doubt I could ever accomplish a speed run that quick anyway (I currently lack the skills).

So let's play the bone game here ('the hip bone's connected to the thigh bone'). Starting from the GameCube, what connects to what, ending with my computer?

Finally, wouldn't just recording anything from my TV (including game capturing) onto a DV Cam and then using firewire to put it on my computer, then editing it with video editing software be the easier way to do this? Not to mention, less expensive than the other method? Or wait, is that what you're already trying to tell me, OR are you talking about everything being recorded to my laptop, live, while I am playing the game?

Keep in mind, I'm new to all of this, plus it's harder to understand without visual representation. Thank you for your understanding :)

Quote from Ekarderif:

Yes, I'm sure when someone asks for an external capture card, you should always list out the best digital camcorders.

Than can be taken both sarcastically or sincerely. Either way, I think I'd like to purchase a DV Cam anyway :D

[quote="Ekarderif"]Well, here are some demonstration videos. A day late, yes I know, but beats never at all right?[/quote]

That's a pretty good capture, although I'm seeing a fraction-of-a-second lag every one to two seconds.  Is this normal, or is my computer doing this?  The quality is very good though.

[quote="USBCD36"]I checked your specs and found you have a Firewire port. On your computer, it would be called an IEEE 1394 or in Sony land, i-Link.[/quote]

I didn't know IEEE 1394 was firewire.  Before my laptop, I was using a 7-year-old PC.  I'm behind on the times with certain technology and I'm trying to catch up.

[quote="USBCD36"]What you need is either a DV (Digital Video) camcorder or an analog to digital video converter.... The Canon Optura 40 is a MUCH better option, though much pricier. It also has 3 seperate CCDs, which is unusual, but VERY good for its class. It has a better bang-for-your-buck ratio too. It is the only consumer camcorder capable of true 16:9 widescreen.[/quote]

I'd actually like to own a DV cam anyway.  So maybe this would work for me.  Hoping not to spend too much money though.  9 to 15 cords sounds like a lot though.  Hopefully those are inexpensive?  Besides capturing game play and TV, I'd like to edit my own videos.  And if 200 MB per minute is the best I can get, with the 20 GB I have left, that's only about 130 minutes estimated?) worth of capturing.  I doubt I could ever accomplish a speed run that quick anyway (I currently lack the skills).

So let's play the bone game here ('the hip bone's connected to the thigh bone').  Starting from the GameCube, what connects to what, ending with my computer?

Finally, wouldn't just recording anything from my TV (including game capturing) onto a DV Cam and then using firewire to put it on my computer, then editing it with video editing software be the easier way to do this?  Not to mention, less expensive than the other method?  Or wait, is that what you're already trying to tell me, OR are you talking about everything being recorded to my laptop, live, while I am playing the game?

Keep in mind, I'm new to all of this, plus it's harder to understand without visual representation.  Thank you for your understanding :)

[quote="Ekarderif"]Yes, I'm sure when someone asks for an external capture card, you should always list out the best digital camcorders.[/quote]

Than can be taken both sarcastically or sincerely.  Either way, I think I'd like to purchase a DV Cam anyway  :D

Ekarderif

2005-01-13 12:39:03 am

Quote from Wilson:

That's a pretty good capture, although I'm seeing a fraction-of-a-second lag every one to two seconds. Is this normal, or is my computer doing this? The quality is very good though.

The lag is actually from the computer, which usually can't handle the large amount of video feed being spit to the video card. The file itself is stable; the computer tends to slow down a lot of the time though.

Quote from Wilson:

Than can be taken both sarcastically or sincerely. Either way, I think I'd like to purchase a DV Cam anyway :D

Capturing stuff with a DV Cam is good for casual stuff; however, grabbing high quality feeds should be reserved to actual cards. So, to show off tricks, use either. To submit runs, for the love of God, get a card ;). Plus, I don't think Radix accepts runs captured with a cam... Then again, Nate is just a few bucks away :P.

Wilson

2005-01-13 01:04:12 am

Quote from Ekarderif:

The lag is actually from the computer, which usually can't handle the large amount of video feed being spit to the video card. The file itself is stable; the computer tends to slow down a lot of the time though.

Does having 1 GB of RAM make any difference?

Ekarderif

2005-01-13 01:07:57 am

Not a clue. All I know is that my own computer with 1.5 GB of RAM and 2.2 GHz processor has trouble a lot of the time with the high quality videos Nate churns out with his beast. Could be the lack of a good video card actually.

nate

2005-01-13 07:48:32 am

yeah, ram will help, but probably the speed (quality) of that ram is more important than the quantity.

but as ekarderif said, the video hardware on your computer is probably the single most important element, assuming the drive can read it fast enough and the bus can get it to the card fast enough (and that's where the speed of the bus and the ram on that bus come in). but all that obviously that doesn't matter if the video card can't flip through the frames it's given fast enough.

there is a third reason, the one that plagues radix, and that is that your cpu has to be fast enough to actually decompress the compressed video. but if you have a decently recent computer (i'd say probably 2003 or newer), that should not be the problem. note that for mac users, dual processors will not help, since you're only playing one video at a time.

USBCD36

2005-01-13 08:04:53 pm

Quote from Ekarderif:

Capturing stuff with a DV Cam is good for casual stuff; however, grabbing high quality feeds should be reserved to actual cards. So, to show off tricks, use either. To submit runs, for the love of God, get a card . Plus, I don't think Radix accepts runs captured with a cam... Then again, Nate is just a few bucks away .

I wasn't thinking of those people who point their cams at their TVs to capture; most digital cams include a pass-thru mode, you connect a cable to the video in/out port and set it to AV->DV and it will convert the input of video L/R audio to DV for your computer. If you check my FTP, I have some vids from Prime that I captured with my Canon ZR70 MC camcorder by connecting it to my GameCube with the A/V cable and splitting the video to my TV to escape the 2.5" screen or (the horror) using the viewfinder. The cams I listed include a pass-thru mode.

This is my version of the setup I use to record from my GameCube:

Match the numbers to find what goes where. A cable similar to the blue monster cable should come with your camcorder, if you choose to get one. This is not the actual cable I have for my cam; I chose to use a pic from online because a) it looks much better and b) I am lending my cam out to a friend at the moment. (With the cable) The tiny black panel represents one of the inputs on the back of your TV. The little black thingeys attached to the 3 cables from the GameCube are male to dual female splitters. They have one "plug" and 2 "outlets". The GameCube plugs into one of the "outlets" and the camera plugs into the other. Mine were about $2.00 each. At RadioShack, you will find these as all-in-one connectors that kinda look like their headphone splitters (no cables, just the jacks and plug. The "plugs" go to the back of your TV. If you get all-in-ones, you should also get some AV extension cables if they will not fit behind your TV. The FireWire cable (shown as 2 ends connecting to your DV cam and laptop) should cost about $15.00-$20.00 for a 6' cable. If you follow these instructions, you needn't worry about the cables I listed below, instead you should have these:

•3 AV splitters (the guys at RadioShack might be able to help you here)
•3 6' AV cables (if the splitters won't fit behind your TV)
•a DV camera (as I said, the Canon Optura provides the most bang-for-your-buck)
•a DV cable (4 pin to 4 pin FireWire, only if you do NOT get an external HD)
•an external FireWire hard drive with 2 FireWire connectors (try a [url=www.maxtor.com]Maxtor[/url] OneTouch 250 GB or a [url=www.lacie.com]LaCie[/url] Big Disk or Big Disk Extreme)
•a 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable (only if you get an external HD)

Did I miss anything?

[quote="Ekarderif"]Capturing stuff with a DV Cam is good for casual stuff; however, grabbing high quality feeds should be reserved to actual cards. So, to show off tricks, use either. To submit runs, for the love of God, get a card . Plus, I don't think Radix accepts runs captured with a cam... Then again, Nate is just a few bucks away .[/quote]

I wasn't thinking of those people who point their cams at their TVs to capture; most digital cams include a pass-thru mode, you connect a cable to the video in/out port and set it to AV->DV and it will convert the input of video L/R audio to DV for your computer.  If you check my FTP, I have some vids from Prime that I captured with my Canon ZR70 MC camcorder by connecting it to my GameCube with the A/V cable and splitting the video to my TV to escape the 2.5" screen or (the horror) using the viewfinder.  The cams I listed include a pass-thru mode.

This is my version of the setup I use to record from my GameCube:
[img]http://www.metroid2002.com/usbcd36/Connections.jpg[/img]

Match the numbers to find what goes where.  A cable similar to the blue monster cable should come with your camcorder, if you choose to get one.  This is not the actual cable I have for my cam; I chose to use a pic from online because a) it looks much better and b) I am lending my cam out to a friend at the moment. (With the cable) The tiny black panel represents one of the inputs on the back of your TV.  The little black thingeys attached to the 3 cables from the GameCube are male to dual female splitters.  They have one "plug" and 2 "outlets".  The GameCube plugs into one of the "outlets" and the camera plugs into the other.   Mine were about $2.00 each.  At RadioShack, you will find these as all-in-one connectors that kinda look like their headphone splitters (no cables, just the jacks and plug.  The "plugs" go to the back of your TV.  If you get all-in-ones, you should also get some AV extension cables if they will not fit behind your TV.  The FireWire cable (shown as 2 ends connecting to your DV cam and laptop) should cost about $15.00-$20.00 for a 6' cable.  If you follow these instructions, you needn't worry about the cables I listed below, instead you should have these:

•3 AV splitters (the guys at RadioShack might be able to help you here)
•3 6' AV cables (if the splitters won't fit behind your TV)
•a DV camera (as I said, the Canon Optura provides the most bang-for-your-buck)
•a DV cable (4 pin to 4 pin FireWire, only if you do NOT get an external HD)
•an external FireWire hard drive with 2 FireWire connectors (try a [url=www.maxtor.com]Maxtor[/url] OneTouch 250 GB or a [url=www.lacie.com]LaCie[/url] Big Disk or Big Disk Extreme)
•a 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable (only if you get an external HD)

Did I miss anything?

arkarian

2005-01-13 08:18:57 pm

red chamber dream

Wow, that is the most comprehensive guide I have ever seen.

Wilson

2005-01-14 04:58:08 am

Quote from USBCD36:

Did I miss anything?

That is pretty informative. This may be of use to me once I purchase these items. Thank you.