Capturing video without Output ports

[Tymon]

Title. I made a thread a few days ago about having S-Video problems but I was diagnosed from the posters that my problem was that I had no S-Video output, only input.

My old TV had RCA ouput, which allowed me to capture video using a dazzle recorder, shown here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815144028

I just bought a new HDTV that is in the new generation, so what I have on here now is:

4 HDMI inputs

2 Component (with audio) inputs

1 S-Video +/ RCA input

Some Analog output thing.


Obviously the big problem I have now is that there are no outputs

So, leading to my question, is there any way I can capture my gaming (Wii, PS3, 360) to the dazzle anymore?

I'm willing to buy something else that isn't obscenely priced, like a tuner, but my real question is, is there any way for me to get a capture card of any kind working when I don't have input.

If it helps, my Comcast DVR, PS3, and 360 are in the HDMI inputs, and my Wii is using component input 1. Leaving 1 component, and the s-video/RCA ports open.

Thanks in advance for reading this and hopefully helping me :crazy:

 

[Taurothar]

The best way to handle this would be to load everything into your computer using an hdmi input on the pc from an audio receiver style switching board, then output from your pc to the tv using a high quality video card over HDMI to the tv. This would allow you both recording and playback on your tv. The limitations of this would be that your tv would now be merely a monitor for your pc, which may or may not handle the recording/playback of the material in realtime.

Your tv is only capable of inputs, very rarely do tvs actually have monitor outputs in any form, as they are rarely used in this fashion. The best way that I can think of that would also be the least expensive is to record your gameplay that you need to record while playing the console hooked directly to the dazzle, perhaps even upgrading to an HDTV dazzle-like device that can accept hdmi standards. This would only allow you to play on your PC, or with your HDTV as a monitor you can play on that as well, while saving your bank quite a bit.

Something like http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/09/affordable-hdmi.html might be along what you're looking for, though would require individual connections when you want to record.

 

[exodusamphi]

Could get component plugs for your next gens, and split them to your video card on the comp, and also to your Tv.

solves the lag issue, next problem would be signal quality. That I cant resolve for you.

 

[Chasym]

this runs about 50 bucks, but theres a box at radio shack that has s single input area for components and like 5 outputs, so you could plug your system into the input and then run an output to your TV and an output to your capture device. Its the reason i bought one of these awhile back, but i ended up using it to extend my surround sound cables since they were too short for my set up.
if you have more than one system get a cheap 10 dollar switch box that lets you hook up a few systems into a single output and you choose your system by flippin the switch to the input its on.
it costs you some cash to do it in the end, but its worth it for the game capture lover in all of us.

 

[Tymon]

Chasym's idea seems like the best to me.

Going to be annoying to have to buy a bunch of component cables for my xbox and ps3 though now that I already spent like 250 dollars on hdmi cables.

 

[Princemercury]

1. Component only includes Video cables RGB, used in progressive scanning methods of display. Composite cables, aka RCA cables, are the Yellow / Red / White cables used for video and audio. Small misunderstanding most people have.

2. A video switch that was recommended 2 posts above is probably your only solution.

3. Find a friend that works at Best Buy or Circuit. Video cables are marked up over 80% of cost. A $120 20 foot HDMI (lolMonster) cable really only costs ~$13. (Reason for finding a friend, BB & CC Employee discounts are Cost + 5% and +10% respectively).

Hope everything works out and good luck.

 

[Daveman]

I already spent like 250 dollars on hdmi cables.

HDMI cables are a scam, cable quality doesn't affect video quality for digital signals (analog signals like component cables are different, cable quality can actually matter).

If it's at all possible I'd recommend returning them and ordering new ones online for a lot less then $250