Capturing & (maybe) streaming TV so I can watch it overseas!

[schrysco]

Hi!

I am going to be living in Europe, but I can't get any NFL or NBA games over there. I want to capture them in the states using a TV capture card, then upload the mpeg files to myself overseas so I can watch them. I will have a computer in the states that has a cable modem, and one of those programs that allows me to access it & operate it from overseas. It's ok in terms of processor/memory/hard drive space. So all I have to do is set it up, then once I'm over there I can log in and do all the capturing/encoding/uploading remotely.

In the very least, I want to capture the games on the computer in the states, convert them to Divx mpeg (seems to be the smallest, and looks the best), and then upload them to my computer over in europe so I can watch them later.

But even better, I'd really like to be able to capture the games & convert them in real time to Divx, so as soon as the game is finished recording, I can start uploading it across the ocean.

Best case scenario, I'd like to be able to capture, upload, and watch all at the same time. I don't know if this is possible, but theoretically since the cable modem will upload about 130k per second, that's enough to handle an mpeg stream-- i just don't know if you can start uploading a file that's still being created, and on the other end, if I can begin watching the file even though it's still downloading.

What I need to know is:

- What kind of capture card should I buy? It doesn't need to be super high-quality (preferably less than $100).
- Should I get a card with built-in encoding? Or is it OK just to have virtual dub do the encoding in real time while I'm capturing?
- is the divx codec the best & smallest one to use?
- Is there an easier way to do this? i.e.-- capture the video from the TV card, and immediately stream it-- like using some kindof realvideo-like streaming media? I just don't know if there's anything cheap/free that will allow you to do this. Realserver costs a fortune.


Sorry for so many questions, but I'm really psyched to get this working! I thought I was gonna have to miss all my favorite games & shows, but I was really happy to find your site! I know a solution lies in there somewhere!

Thanks in advance for ANY help you can give me!

-Chad

[JJamez]

Not to burst your bubble or anything, but I think you're going to find it a huge pain in the ass to do on a regular basis. And forget about doing it real time, I just don't think its possible.

But please keep investigating, it sounds like a cool project and I'm really interested in hearing if you are able to pull it off.

I have enough problems capturing video when I'm AT the computer, let alone controlling it from a different continent

[SHS]

Your only option would be SnapStream you may well forget divx.

[Roginator]

Wow...interesting problem. I'm currently capturing some shows for a friend in the Air Force in Europe. (Hey -- FOX says it's ok!) I can get an hour on a cheap CD-R at 640x480 at good quality which she can play on her laptop -- avoiding the incompatible VCR/TV issues. Two CDs will fit in a jewel case.

Would a product like Showshifter help? I haven't used it yet, but it supposedly allows you to use your computer and TV card like a VCR.

I'm almost certain I've seen a product which does exactly what you want -- but I can't remember where I saw it.

I hope you have someone in the US to hit the reset button on your computer!

[JJamez]

Actually, I checked out SnapStream as SHS suggested, and it is a VERY cool little program. Sounds like it will do everything schrysco wants too. You can buy it bundled with a WinTV card for $89.

I don't imagine the streaming quality is watchable for football, but you can record the show at higher quality and download it to whereever you are.

http://www.snapstream.com