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How to Record Digital Video
From Your PC To VCR
© 2006
Desktop-Video-Guide.com
You’ve probably heard about how you can save a digital movie from your PC to
a digital camcorder, but did you know you could save it directly to a VCR as
well?
The benefits of this are many. First is that there’s no need for a digital
camcorder to do it. You most likely already have a VCR that you can output
your video to. The tapes for VCR are fairly inexpensive too, unlike digital
tapes.
Connecting VCR to PC is a simple process as you’ll see. Once you know how to
connect VCR to PC you’ll probably use this technique over and over again.
Step 1: Check Your Hardware
The first step in your VCR to PC hack technique is to check your hardware.
That usually goes without saying, but both software and hardware are needed
to connect VCR to PC and get the results we’re after.
You will need to check out your graphics card. Get behind your computer and
look at the output connections. Connecting VCR to PC requires that you have
what’s called a 'TV Out' connection. This should either be labeled 'S-Video'
or 'Composite'. Either of these will do.
If you’re at all familiar with video connections, you probably know that
there are many different types of connections that you can use. Between
'S-Video' and 'Composite', S-Video is generally regarded as providing the
better picture quality. S-Video works by separating the color component of
the picture from the brightness of the picture, giving a better-looking
final image. Nonetheless, for our purpose, either connector will do.
Step 2: Figure Out Those Cables
Okay, you’ve found your connectors and they fit in one of the above
categories. Now we have to take the next step. To connect VCR to PC we need
cables.
Cables come in a wide assortment so you need to find the one that fits
into your connector. How do you exactly which cable you need to connect VCR
to PC? Check both the connectors on your graphics card as well as the
connectors on your VCR.
For example, do you have S-Video connectors on both the graphics card and
the PC? If so, you need an S-Video to S-Video cable. However, if you find
that the resulting picture on your monitor is black and white, you may need
some help with a S-Video to composite converter. Beyond the graphics, you
need to connect the audio.
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Find the output connectors on your soundcard. You will use a 2 x RCA female
to 3.5mm phono Jack cable to connect it to the audio connector on your VCR.
Check online for the cables you need or go to your local electronics store.
Step 3: Get the TVTool Software
Now we’re going to the software part of connecting VCR to PC, but first
let’s check our results so far. If you’ve hooked up everything properly, go
ahead and turn everything on. Turn on your TV and switch it to VCR channel,
and make sure the video recorder is set to the right AV channel.
No magic yet, just a black screen. The next important step in your VCR to PC
connection is a software tool. It’s called TVTool, and you can download it
from their website. You can install a
trial version of their software.
Once it’s installed, it will present you with a tabbed control interface. To
see your video on TV, click on the big green 'TV Mode' button. Once done,
toggle back to your PC using the F2 key on your keyboard.
Now, how do we record? It’s simple. Find a video player for your PC. I
recommend the Zoom player because it lets you manipulate the final image for
a correct fit to your TV. Then, click 'Record' on your VCR and you’re done!
Conclusion
Connecting VCR to PC might seem a bit outdated to some people, especially in
this age of digital camcorders. However, there are simply times that you
need your digital video creations output to the tapes you play in your VCR.
If you were to use your digital camcorder to accomplish the same feat, you
would first have to record back to your digital camcorder (from your PC),
and then record from your digital camcorder to your VCR. It’s a two-step
process. But if you connect VCR to PC, you can do the whole thing one fell
swoop!
Learn how you can shoot a spectacular wedding video
An overview on how to go about shooting a great wedding video.
All about the different types of camera movement
Learn about the camera movement techniques that professional videographers
uses.
A guide to selecting and buying VCD and DVD authoring software
A brief guide to buying the best VCD and DVD authoring software.
A guide to selecting a computer for digital video editing
A guide to buying a computer for digital video editing. Learn how to choose
a quality desktop or laptop system.
Video editing software and how to choose the right product
Tips on how to choose the correct video editing software for your video
production needs.
For more articles, be sure to visit Desktop-Video-Guide.com .
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