Video from PC to TV/VCR/VHS

[Evildevil]

I went through most of the topic related to this PC -> TV, but Yea, I don't quite understand anything yet. I'm pretty new to this so hope anyone in here can help me get started.

My goal is to have my .avi/mpeg/wmv video files playing on my TV, then record what showing on the TV with my VCR.

This is wat I have:

PC - Window XP
Pretty big hard drive
Ati Radeon 9550 with DVI-I and S-Video In\Out
And theres program along with my Video card saying TV display so it does support TV display.

I'm not so sure about my TV, but I'll check tomorrow.

I'm wondering wat else do I need and wats am I gonna do? Cuz so far i dont have any wire that would fit the S-Video In\Out and DVI-I. So what wire am i buying?

Thankx!!!

[lordsmurf]

Go into display settings under Windows control panels, advanced settings, and then change to tv output.

[Nelson37]

On the ATI outpit dongle, you have composite and S-video. You also have the DVI output, and ATI makes an adapter for DVI to Component.
Decide which one you want, this of course must match to one of your TV's available inputs, and then buy the appropriate cable.

Not sure why you would want VCR recording, but if so, make this your first connection and match the cables accordingly. Most likely composite is only available, possibly S-video.

[Evildevil]

Thanks

I checked and I dont think my graphic card has Composite. I only see DVI-I and S-Video In\Out. I checked my TV today and they have the S-Video In\Out thingie. So maybe I'll be using it.

Almost all my video files are in Series, I have up to 100 espisodes so think a 6-hours tape would be better since I dont want to waste all my CDs, and not all my rooms have DVD/VCD player.

[Nelson37]

Yo Evil - You'll also need to check OUTPUTS, if any, on your TV. If there aren't any, and your VCR doesn't have S-video input, then you're screwed. They may very well degrade video quality on a pass-thru, even if present.

Not familiar with your particular card, but be prepared to adjust video settings for output to TV as they are different from optimum settings for PC monitor.

As for the DVD conversion, I'd recommend it. If you don't have the players now, you will soon. Besides, do you have PC's in every room, with TV-out or networked with ATI cards?

[Evildevil]

I bought a serial cable and plug it in my comp and tv. It works fine. Only theres no audio from TV. But I think I only need Audio cable.

Um, i'm wondering how can i do it the other way around. Like having video from my tv apppearing on my monitor?

[edDV]

1 If you want to hook up to the VCR get one of these S-Video to RCA cables (or an adapter). http://www.svideo.com/svideorca.html

2. For sound, run a cable from Line Out on your audio card to the TV or VCR.

3. If you want to work normally on your computer monitor while video plays to the TV, set up your card for "Dual Monitor". Overlay controls allow you to set different screen rsolutions for desktop and video (try 800x600 or 640x480 full screen for video).

4. To go the other way, you will need to add a PCI tuner card or a video to IEEE-1394 or USB2 adapter.