Capturing VGA output with a DVD Recorder.

[perrelet]

Hello Community,

I am a visual artist who is looking to capture the output of my laptop with my hdd dvd rw. The reason I am doing this with hardware (rather than using screen capturing software) is that my visual graphics are computationally intensive and using capturing software has an inevitable severe decrease in my output frame-rate.

The basic question regards the compatibility of the VGA signal from my laptop and the RGB input on my dvd recorder:

Can I simply use a cable?
Such as this: http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271407579425
Or do I need another piece of hardware to make the connection between laptop and dvd work?
Such as this: http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350694924311

Laptop: Dell Precision M4700 (Outputting over VGA)
DVD: Sony HXD890 (Which accepts RGB through a SCART input)

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Many thanks,

Jamie

 

[thee_prisoner]

I'm thinking the cable will not work. There are some conversion issues. Also, I think the best video quality with SCART is SVHS which isn't even DVD quality.

Edit: it shows it can do component quality which is better

 

[perrelet]

I'm thinking the cable will not work. There are some conversion issues. Also, I think the best video quality with SCART is SVHS which isn't even DVD quality.

Edit: it shows it can do component quality which is better

Thankyou kindly for the reply,

I am guessing you are referring to YPBPR when you say 'component quality'. Both RGB and YPBPR are component video and the player is able to output in either of these component formats. The SCART is simply the plug which connects the component video (either RGB or YPBPR) into the DVD and has no limit to the resolution it can take. I am confused why you say that YPBPR quality is better, as there is no color depth of resolution limit to RGB. Could you please explain? See:

http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video#RGB_analog_component_video

The reason that I am thinking of using RGB is because VGA operates in RGB, but YPBPR does not. See:

http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector

I think my main issue here is the horizontal and vertical sync differences between SCART RGB and VGA RGB.

More help and clarity would be really helpful please - The internet is filled with conflicting stories on this issue.

Blessings,

Jamie

 

[thee_prisoner]

Sorry, I meant better quality in terms of SVHS vs component.

There are some cables that you can use.(vga out to scart in) but I'm thinking a converter box is needed and I couldn't find one. Your first link is for SCART to vga, so that won't work. Your second link is a converter with SVHS output which would work but low rez quality.

I spent quite a bit of time but I don't think it will work but you could try a cable and see and maybe waste a few bucks.

Eric...

 

[perrelet]

Thankyou for all the time you have put into helping me,

The second link (the one for the converter) claims to support RGB (interlaced), which would circumvent the whole S-Video thing I believe? Not sure how good a quality it is though...

On a related note: As you say the first link is SCART to VGA. Does this mean I could use such a cable to connect the DVD player to another (VGA LCD) monitor? Or i'm guessing once again I need a converter... Therefore, as the DVD player has a HDMI out, would one of these:

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231080970897

Allow me to watch the output of my DVD player on my monitor? Or is there yet more compatibility issues?

Thanks so much again!

 

[thee_prisoner]

It would be RGB if only used the VGA all the way. The converter box doesn't show anything for SCART.

By the time you buy all these cables and converter boxes it would probably be better to buy a capture device or anther DVR that accepts VGA.

On the newest link, that accepts VGA to HDMI which is good but your DVR doesn't have HDMI but it does have firewire input but I'm guessing the laptop doesn't.

Pro tip for audio/visual production, don't use a laptop. hehe

Edit: can you send me a link on the exact model of the Dell laptop?

 

[perrelet]

Aha, I didn't realise the DV input on the DVR (called i.link) is actually a firewire port. I do indeed have a firewire 1394 port on my laptop:

http/www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-Precision-M4700-Mobile-Workstation.81505.0.html

Wow, so can you send display data over a firewire connection ? I had no idea. That could really simplify things...

As for the SCART, the DVR is able to accept (and output) RGB through the scart (as well as component YPBPR and composite S-video). Scart is simply a connection standard.

I'd love to know what your thoughts are on the firewire, seems like we're getting close.



EDIT: I posted the HDMI -> VGA link in regards to connecting the DVR to another monitor, to configure this thing... (The other half of the problem)

 

[thee_prisoner]

Yah and you have HDMI output. Stupid on my part not to notice. I've read up on SCART, way too much hehe.

Firewire or HDMI out to SCART maybe the best option. Check around for HDMI to SCART first but I'm pretty sure it will require a converter box.
Fire wire is used like for example a DV cam that has fire wire output.

Yup, I think we're getting closer. haha

Eric...

 

[perrelet]

Hey Eric,

I think you're right. I'm putting my order in today for these parts and I'll report back with the results.

Thanks again for all your research,

Jamie