Newbie question...man I hate saying "newbie" - Pin

[GDOK]

Bought Pinnacle PCTV PRO

I am trying to get video using coaxle coming out of my Direct TV receiver.

Is this possible? All I get is static?

Thanks

[Roundabout]

Are you trying to use the Coax output (RF)? If so, the signal will be output on channel 3 or 4, so you would have to put the TV tuner card on channel 3 or 4 to see a picture. If you are using the Composite (Yellow connector) video output, you will have to change the settings to accept that input, if the Pinnacle card has composite input ( I don't have this card, so I don't know if it has composite in, or RF signal only ).

[GDOK]

ahh...that little tidbit was all I needed. I am using Coax output (RF).
I had to manually add channel 3...then BAM! all is well.
thanks Roundabout

[Roundabout]

Glad to help...
I looked the card up and apparently it does have composite video input, so you might get better quality using the composite video output of the Direct TV to the composite input of the video card. If you don't like the results of the capture using RF Coax cable, that is.
If you want to use composite, connect the yellow wire to the Pinnacle card, and connect the audio output of the DirTV to your sound card.
Well, something to think about, anyway. If you like the results the way you have it now, it's the easiest way to use the card.

[GDOK]

Well the only audio input is that small audio plugin...not sure what it is called, but there is nothing like that in the back of the DTV receiver. Which is why I pulled the unit out already. The video quality from the coax isn't quite as good as I'd like it.... I tweaked the tuner and tried different things but it didn't seem to be as good as when I plugged the svideo line in. When I flip between input from svideo and input from coax there is a noticable difference. So yes ideally I'd like to use the coax or component video, but then I am not sure how to handle the sound. Unless there is some converter that takes the sound out of the component (rca) red and white plugs and turn it into that computer speaker audio line.... to thus go into the card. Any other ideas?

[Roundabout]

All you need is a Stereo RCA to Stereo Mini-plug cable, available at Radio Shack for a couple of dollars, or at Walmart. Nothing special, simple. Plug the red and white RCA plugs into the back of the DirTV box, and the other end into the Line Input of your sound card. That's it.

[GDOK]

Well thats a good idea until I woke up this AM and remembered that the audio jack on the back of the card is AUDIO OUT. Damn. I guess I need to find a card with audio in and audio out.

Anyone know of any?