Questions on TV-out...

[Skipper007]

A couple quick questions:
1. I've noticed that many video capture boards only have inputs. Can I use TV-out on my video card to output edited video to VHS? WIll the quality be bad? Keep in mind I am inputing from Hi-8 (I think, the camera is about five years old).
2. I had heard many TV-out ports had Macrovision. THis only effects copy protected content, right? If I'm outputing edited video that is originally from a camcorder, it should be fine, right?

[LanEvo7]

Yes, you can do that. However most video card's tv-out is s-video, so your VCR has to have a Video-In Svideo plug or you'll need to buy a S-video - RCA converter.

I'll explain to you how to do it assuming your plugs are RCA.

You'll need to plug one end of RCA Video cable into a VIDEO IN plug on your vcr. Most VCR's have these in the back. Some newer ones have it in the front also. The other end obviously goes into your computer. Then turn on your vcr and set the channel to INPUT or LINE 1(or 2) depending on which plug you plugged your RCA Video cable into. Now if your computer is on and TV-Out is enabled you'll see the picture on the TV screen. Put in a VHS and play the video on your computer. Now press record, and it should record whatever is on the TV screen onto the VHS.
I don't know about the quality though, you'll have to try that yourself.

Now you have to remember TV-OUT is VIDEO only, meaning no sound. If you want sound, you'll have to buy a RCA to Stereo cable, plug the stereo end into your sound card and the RCA end into the VCR's AUDIO IN.

[JamesB69]

I have done this before. Quality is slightly less than viewed on a PC, but not too bad really. Just make sure your mouse pointer isnt on the screen when you hit record or else you'll have to look at it every time you watch the video.

[Skipper007]

Thanks guys, my Leadtek board has an s-video to RCA adapter anyway, so it should work as long as I get the aforementioned audio cable.