RCA out to S-Video

Hey everyone, does anyone know if I can put a VHS in my VCR and connect it to my laptop via RCA out to S-video in. I'm using a hp pavilion which has a S-video port. If anyone can help, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

The S Video on your laptop is an output. You need a capture card for an input.
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSi...le/Dazzle+Video+Archiving/Dazzle+DVD+Recorder

 

Thanks aton, you saved me some money. But what about HDMI? my laptop has an hdmi port. will it work. If it does, do you know if there exists an RCA to HDMI cable?

 

ok sorry for asking so many questions. But how would you go about recording a vhs to Hard drive?

 

You need to use S Video, but the item linked above is made for that purpose.

 

I agree with Lithus for capturing VHS feeds. I use my pinnacle TV tuner to do the same, and if you want to get a bit fancier get an RF Modulator and you can capture video from DVD's (requires S-Video and Composite audio cables). This way you can copy just about anything from VCR to DVD players. The only problem with the RF Modulator is the recording quality is is not as good, but its still very watchable.

Cheers!

-Reby

 

wait, lemme get this straight. You can use a tv Tuner to get a feed from VHS in a VCR? I have the HP TV tuner, can i do the same?. And btw how would i go about doing it. like what would I connect what to what. Thanks alot for the responses.

 

so. does anyone know if I can use my tv tuner to recored from a VCR?

 

My Pinnacle TV Tuner is a USB device that has a coax input so its a simple matter of plugging the coax cable from the VCR into my TV Tuner. The HP does not have a coax input so no you'd need a different tuner card as Lithus said.

The problem with DVD players is most do not have a coax output so that's why I suggested the RF modulator to capture the feed directly to the laptop.

-Reby

 

you might need special software to record to your hd from a vcr

 

The HP TV tuner is the only thing that will let you INPUT video to your computer. Every other video port is an OUTPUT.

To record the VCR to the laptop:

1. plug the VCR output into the TV tuner's input. Probably using coax cable.
2. If your VCR normally outputs to channel 3, tune your laptop to channel 3. You should now see the output from the VCR.
3. Press "record" in the recording software to record it.
4. Press "play" on the VCR and start playing the tape.

 

wow thanks alot orev. that sounds really simple. so just so i understand, I can use my hp tv tuner. and btw what software would you recommend for this stuff. and is it better quality or the same as the vhs quality?

 

I assume the TV tuner came with some software that lets you record things. I would use that. Most likely it will be in MPEG2 format, which is that same format that DVDs use. That does not mean it will be DVD quality though.

Normally the quality you get on the TV tuner is much better quality than VHS (probably high-def), but VHS tapes have terrible quality. There is no way to make them better quality on your computer. Using advanced video tools you may be able to clean up scratches or blurriness, but that's very advanced stuff. Processing video is very complex and not nearly a straightforward as one often thinks it should be.

 

makes sense. so I'm using the Coax cable from my VCR to my TV tuner and thats it?

 

Yes, just like you would hook up the VCR to your TV.

 

awesome. And would you know by any chance know how much space these things take up. I mean for example how much space would an Hour movie take up on my Hard disk.

 

It's very hard to say, because the quality you use to record can really effect the size. A guideline is that 1 DVD can hold 4.7 GB, and usually can hold 1 movie thats about 2 hours long.

 

Thanks. What cable Do I need. Do I have to buy any other cables or does my Hp tv tuner come with the cable already.

 

You will need to be able to figure some of this out by yourself, so if you haven't got it yet just wait until you have it. Then it will become obvious when you look at it. After you have it hooked up, play around with it and see if you can get it to work. THEN worry about looking for more help if you need it.

 

orev, I figured it out, and luckily I even had a Female-Female cable lying around. but after I hook it up. what do I do then. Do I use Media Center? I'm real sorry about being a bit of a pain, but i've got no experience whatsoever in regards to this. And i would like to thank you for your time and patience.

 

How do you currently use the TV tuner card? I assume there is some software that you use with it? You do exactly the same thing, because as far as the tuner is concerned, you are watching TV. Change the tuner to the correct channel that the VCR is set to, and you should see the VCR.

 

that sounds interesting. but normally I just put the tv tuner in and open Media Center and it finds it and it just goes through available channels. I'll play around abit once I actually set it up later tonight. For the time being I'll try what you told me, and report back if any problems come up.

 

I was wondering the same thing. What software should i use. money is not an issue. I dont mind spending as much as I need for software that'll do that for me

 

Okay so i basically got the cables and the card working. so everything is in place. Coax cable from vcr out to laptop in, How to i get Media Center to Recognize the feed coming in. I cant seem to find out what to do. Does media center even allow incoming feeds. Another thing, I was told to go to the same channel as the vcr out but I don't know how to do that. If someone can help me, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance

 

First you need to set your VCR to channel 3, then set the VCR/TV button to "VCR", just like when you're watching TV. Next put in a tape and press play. Then you should be able to change to channel 3 in media center and see what's playing on the VCR.

 

I did as you instructed. But when i'm in Media Center and press 003 nothing happens, It goes to it but then immediatly reverts back to one of the other channel that are working. is there any settings i have to play around with in order to make this work

 

Can someone please help me. I'm really desperate to get this working. And for some reason I cannot get it working.

 

Maybe it will work better with channel 4? It's hard to say without being there to play with it.

 

oh well. do you know of any good programs that'll capture from vhs

 

I'm kinda pissed that it's not working It would've been cool. I'm gonna play around with it more to see if I can get it working. Thanks for your help

 

Hey is anyone out there that know what to do. Kinda like a step by step guide. Or at least something. I'm really boggled over here, cant seem to find out why it's not working. I spoke to a friend of mine who knows a bit about this stuff, and he told me Windows Vista Media Center should immediately recognize an incoming feed. But when i tried it, it doesn't seem to work, nor recognize any incoming feeds. Thanks alot to anyone that can help me

 

Does it work when you watch regular TV? Can you change to a specific channel when it's hooked up to the antenna/cable?

 

Yes, very well actually. I just press up with the remote and it goes through the channels. Though I would like to mention that I did a Channel scan before using it, like media center suggested. so the only channels I can go through are the ones media center found. Hope it helps

 

I cant go through Random channels. As soon as i reach the last channel that was "preset" by Media Center then it goes back, Kinda like a loop

 

So basically no one over here knows whats my problem. An interesting thing though. I tried some garbage program and it actually recorded the feed for only 10 secs and it wasnt even watchable, like green stripes across the screen. Please Someone help me with the media center

 

OK everyone, I got AUDIO very clear. But all i see is a Green Screen. I'm using the Coax CABLE. If someone can shed some light unto this, I would be forever grateful.

 

Can you try to:
Put a tape in the VCR
Press play
then run the channel scan, and maybe it will find it then.

 

Will do. Btw i got it working with QuickPlay. I dont know how but it just worked. Can I output from my TV tuner or I can only use my S-video or HDMI.? one more thing, Does it make sense that after recording from VHS to Digital that the color is not as vivid then when playing from VHS Direct to TV? Because when playing it on my laptop the colors are not nearly as bright as my tube tv.

 

The color and brightness settings are probably not set correctly on your TV -- they are probably way too high. Most people use the "bright" settings on a TV which somehow looks better, but it does not really give the best picture. If you output from your laptop to the TV using HDMI or Svideo, see what it looks like. It will probably look just as good as when you go direct from VCR to TV. There are ways you can edit the video to adjust those things, but those are very advanced (and expensive) applications.

PS. Glad you got it working.

 

Thanks alot for your help orev. I really appreciate it.