There are two methods that you can use to record video and audio from a game without causing lag on the game computer.
Method #1 requires you to send the a/v signal to a recording device such as a camcorder or VCR. Once the video is done recording, you send it back to the game computer to be encoded into a digital video file, such as Divx, avi, mpg, etc.
Method #2 requires you to send the video signal to a second computer, which records and encodes the video at the same time. Once the video is done, it is already encoded and ready to be either sent back to the first computer or just used from the second computer.
So, which method are you trying? Are you trying to connect your computer video out to the input of a VCR or other recording source? Or are you trying to connect the video out of one computer to the video in of another computer?
If you are trying method #1, you need to make sure that your video card has a tv-out connection, or an S-video out. If not, you will need to purchase or borrow a video card that supports this feature, or use a pc-to-tv converter. You will also need a method to input the video back into your computer afterwards. This means you will also need a video capture device. A few examples are shown below. These are just examples, you can probably find many more choices with varying prices as well.
Video card with TV-out
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1194304&Sku=C261-6068PCI Video Capture card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1220932&Sku=D10-1012Another PCI Video Capture card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=448345&Sku=A46-4006USB Video Capture device
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=612720&CatId=1428Method #2 also requires you to have the same video output and input items above, as well as a second computer available. The main difference is that the second computer will be able to encode the video, and you just use network cards to send the file back to the first pc.
For both methods, you will probably have to purchase or borrow at least one of the mentioned devices. Many of the newer video cards have a video output connection, but I have only seen a few people with a video capture card. Also, there is more chance that someone will have a VCR available but not a second computer, so the first method is the most common. Method #1 does take a little longer, because the video has to be compressed while it's transferred back to the original computer. When using the dual-pc method, the video is compressed while it records. It reduces the time spent, but not by much.
The cheapest method is to use the second PCI card mentioned, or something similar. You can get those kind for around $20-$30, depending on brand and where purchased. The first type of PCI card shown costs a little bit more, but includes the audio input. The second style requires the audio to be input through your sound card. But the first style can cost between $60-$100, again depending on model and place of purchase. The method I have used is with the device below. It's more of an all-in-one, it can accept most a/v sources, both in and out. At the time I bought mine, it cost about $75. You can find similar models for as low as around $65 now. By using the VGA input and output, you don't even need video capture cards while using the two-pc method.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=683394&Sku=A46-4036If you can let us know which method you would like to use, then I can help you figure out the best way to do it. But without a video capture device (PCI or USB), then I don't think it will be possible for you.
Topic: Recording Movies (Read 2769 times)