is there any way to view DVD output through a capture card ?

[new2dvd4now]

it might seem like an ass-backwards thing to do, but i am ABOUT TO EMBARK on converting my VHS to DVD and had to "sacrifice" my TV-VCR combo and swap it for a DVD Recorder, thinking i can visually monitor the activity on my laptop via a Hauppauge WinTV USB.

i had previously monitored the recording on the VCR via the 'Hauppauge' and discovered that the DVR output doesn't emit a signal(?) so i had to "tune it" via the S-Video slot on the 'Hauppauge' unit.

now, the problem is i can watch the TV output (via the DVR), and also VCD played on the DVR, but DVD's don't work.

is this just a fact of the video signal or is there some setting to allow Hauppauge to view the DVD playing ?

just to clarify - i have an older VCR which is in its death throes - thus, the reason for the switch to digital.

the TV-VCR combo was newly purchased but not a satisfactory product; after about an hour, the recording got wavy and a buzzing sound emitted - i returned the product TWICE but got the same result so decided it was just time to switch to digital video.

P.S. what does TBC stand for - thought i'd just ask it here as well, before browsing through the glossary later.

[redwudz]

If you are hooking the VCR up to the DVR with RCA (Phono) cables, you could use a 'Y' splitter and run one side to the DVR and the other to the video card, composite in. As long as the signal is strong enough and there is no interference generated by the card effecting the DVR signal. You could do the same with the audio signals, then you would need 3 'Y' connectors and associated cables. Probably other ways to do it, but this comes to mind first. You can get these type of splitters with different ends and lengths to suit your purpose.

Time Base Corrector
A hardware device used to remove or mask variations in the video synchronizing signals, which can result in "skewing" and other distortions in the video image generated by unavoidable mechanical inaccuracies in helical scan recorders. This is accomplished by automatically delaying the video signal so that each line starts at the proper time. In capturing a TBC is used to 'clean up' analog tape problems and may assist in the capture of old VHS tapes when used between a VCR and capture card. Hardware TBCs can be expensive.

And this was from the 'Glossary'.

And welcome to our forums.

[new2dvd4now]

thanks for the FIRST reply (and the welcome !)

but it looks like i haven't explained my situation clearly.

i don't have a TV anymore in the "work room" so i need to SEE what's on the DVR (ie, the menus and navigation) !

i don't need to split the VCR signal as i can just "daisy"(?)link the DVR through the VCR anyway - but i STILL can't view any DVD output (even through the VCR AV channel).

can you confirm though, that DVD output can NOT be captured/viewed via 'Hauppauge' - if that IS the case then the only solution is to get a TV, right ?

[redwudz]

I see. You want to view the DVR menus, etc. I haven't used a Hauppauge USB unit, but it seems it should act just like a TV monitor and be able to view them. But maybe not. If a regular TV works, it might be simpler.