Watching TV without a Tuner

[Nickhamm]

I have a Dazzle DVC 80 (I already know its not the best to capture video) and was wondering if there was some way to take live video input from the device and view it full screen (like taking a 320x240 picture and stretching it to 640x480 or higher resolution.) I don't want to capture, I just want to watch video input full screen.

Reason: I am going on a trip and only want to take my laptop and not a TV, so I want to play DVDs and Games on my PS2 connected to my laptop through the Dazzle in full screen. I have used Cyberlink PowerVCR but I want to know is there is something smaller that would take up less space and do what I need it to do.

[jdizzy40]

The answer to your first question is no. The device you have supports only input. And the software you get (crap at that) is not going to work for what you want to do. You mention Power VCR and something smaller taking up less room. I'm confused. Power VCR is a software program, why would it be taking up alot of space? What inputs/outputs do you have on your laptop (video in/video out). The only piece of hardware that I have for that purpose is the Win TV USB made by Happauge. It only supports S-Video input. You would need an S-Video switchbox which would give you RCA video/audio jacks as well to hook up your Play Station. I'm sure others will share their solutions. Good luck

[txpharoah]

Try this:
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Snapstream%20Personal%20Video%20Station#comments

[gmatov]

I think there is some confusion here. If Nick can connect the Dazzle to his home computer, and play the PS2 into it, then if he can connect it to his Laptop, there should be no difference.
I do not know what connection the Dazzle product here offers, USB, s-video, whatever.
Or am I totally off-base?

[jdizzy40]

I own the Dazzle DVC 80 and its in a dark hole now. The software that comes with it is DVD Complete (Crap), Movie Star 5 (Crap) and some other one. These programs are for capturing video in to a system. Do not support full screen viewing. And he never stated he was playing his PS2 using this current configuration. Otherwise he would not of asked the question if he could duplicate it on his laptop. Snapstream supports capturing from a TV source. I bought it and its crap. Super High CPU usage. If you can get a setup to work with it great, again for the capture and recording of TV programs.

[txpharoah]

Snapstream supports capturing from a TV source. I bought it and its crap.

Why'd you buy it to find that out? They have demos. The guy can at least try.

[Nickhamm]

This is what I meant:
I have the PS2 plugged into the Dazzle, which is plugged into the Laptop.
Also, the entire issue with space is that I have a lot of stuff on the laptop, and I want a small program (in MB, not pysical size). PowerVCR takes up 10-15 MB and I don't have that much space to lose. Also, I was talking about veiwing it in full screen like I can in PVCR. I had my DC hooked up and took screenshots from some games, but was able to play the game by looking at it on my computer screen via the Dazzle.

[jdizzy40]

I got an e-mail one day for this half baked software when it came out of beta 2.0. It was buy and if not satisfied you could get money back within 30-days. You had to fill out, print out and mail in a ceritificate of destruction and wait for your money back. Still waiting. They, Snapstream just released their so called lite version with 2-weeks of functionality. I have been trying when possible software since 1986 and buying when I liked it, but if you haven't been tracking Snapstream, the early release was because they were going bankrupt and needed money. I've gotten off topic but could'nt resist replying back.

[gmatov]

Nick,
Can you expand on your question?
Are you able to connect this Dazzle device to the laptop, and the PS2 to it?
If so, it seems, all you really need is a program to WATCH the movie, whatever, in fullscreen mode.
Hell, Win Media Player will do THAT. I watch stuff on it all the time, and I think it's CTRL+ENTER to go fullscreen.

[jdizzy40]

Yes but not in full screen. Good luck finding a software program to recognize a USB Dazzle device. Your problem is it's USB and made by Dazzle. Sorry, but it's crap, so is their DVD 150, I bought that too and it too is in a black hole. If it was a firewire type device then you'd probally be on your way to sucess by now.

[gmatov]

Nick,
You beat me by a couple minutes. I type slow. Can't you network and offload a few megs? Put it back when you get back? I think WMP is pretty well up there, too, so not much help, spacewise.
If space IS a problem, have you considered a card reader? I use mine all the time, my camera card reader, to transfer files from the one 'puter( my main one, which refuses to connect to my others). Offload some files to the Smartcard, whatever yours is, run your program, and replace after you are done. 128 meg card and reader is, what, 60, 70 bucks? Cheaper than a laptop HDD upgrade, or an external drive.