Is it possible to capture like this? (Videogame related)

[fathertadpole]

Ok, I have poked around a bit but haven't found a clear explination of if this is possible or not. My desire is to play a videogame on my television while capturing footage that I could cut and edit at a later time. Is this or something close even remotely possible? I don't know if I would need something like a capture card or maybe a camcorder. I can't hook it through my computer since my roommates are always on it, so thats the only thing that isn't an option. Getting taxes back soon and wondering if I should even bother with this as it feels pretty complicated (though I am sure its because I am a noob on this stuff)

[sincostan45]

Well, since you can't use a computer, that pretty much cuts out 90% of your options. You could either:

1) Use a DVD recorder and record the gameplay to DVD+/-R's and then rip the DVDs whenever your roommates aren't on the computer. (There are plenty of guides on DVD ripping.)

2) Use a VCR and record the gameplay to VHS tapes and then capture the VHS tapes later. Though the quality will be worse than using a DVD recorder and you'll have to get a capture device.

3) Use a video camera that has a video input, but your TV will need to have some type of video output, or you'll need a splitter of some type.

4) Point a video camera at your television screen. The quality will totally suck, but it is an option. People do it to post video game footage on YouTube all the time, but it's the least preferable of the four.

I would say that your best option is to get a DVD recorder and do it that way. The only thing though is that you'll only be able to play in standard definition. It won't work with anything higher than that. But I kind of doubt you're planning on capturing high definition video game footage.

[fathertadpole]

Thank you for the most concise and helpful post I've ever gotten on the internet. You seriously made my day there, so my eternal gratitude to you sir.

[sincostan45]

LOL, sure, no problem!

[yoda313]

I'd like to add that if you are interested in recording high def that you should consider getting either a hauppauge hd pvr (external usb capture box) or a blackmagic intensity card (though powerful pc needed for the blackmagic).

Both can record high def widescreen via component cables (the blackmagic can capture with hdmi). The happauge can also capture 5.1 audio with a fiber optic cable (though dolby and pcm only no dts capture). The blackmagic should be able to capture via fiber optic as well but I don't know for sure - you'd have to check out their website for more.

The hauppauge has a passthrough feature that lets you passthrough the video via component to feedback up to the tv. If you play while watching the recording on the tv there is lag - the passthrough doesn't have lag going back to the tv - though playing on the computer is ok if you are only doing things like movie cutscenes or showing leaderboard statistics and things that don't require split second timing.

EDIT - sorry this is for computer use only and didn't see the lack of access to computer for recording -