Capture a VGA input?

Linkex

Linkex

Linkex

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Probably a stupid question. I'm considering the possibility of re-purposing a spare PC into a gaming PVR/video editing machine. I can get the audio from one PC to another reasonably simply, but I'm wondering about the video.

The seemingly obvious solution is VGA splitter and a VGA capture card. Any reason this wouldn't work? Any issues I might run into? How much should I budget for a capture card?

Should mention, I've thought about fraps and a haupaggue DVR, but I don't want to impact my frame rate, nor do I want to tie up my main machine editing/encoding.

Edit - Just found this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-022-CP - would I lose quality if I chucked my VGA into a composite adapter like No competitor linking! and into that card?
 
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I'm assuming you would be using 2 connections on the GPU so that you have one for your monitor and one for the output, so you will duplicate the desktop on 2 screens?

Assuming you can get an adapter that converts the VGA signal to composite there is no reason why you couldn't capture through a card like that. Having not done tests on a set up like that I couldn't say, but check that the adapter you buy will definitely work. People seem to be selling all kinds of **** adapters on eBay that won't ever function in the way they advertise.
 
^^Sort of - I currently use 2 monitors - I will be taking the output of the primary port, splitting it with a basic VGA adapter. 1 'split' of this will got to the monitor so that it functions as normal - the other will go to the capture PC. Hope that makes sense.
 
Ah. Again assuming that the adapter is of reasonable quality I don't see any reason it wouldn't work.. but you will be capturing in an SD format if you convert to composite, so remember that it will affect the resolution and overall quality of the final image.
 
I hadn't thought of that - I was hoping to capture up to 1920x1080. If its going to work out particuarlly more expensive, I will make do with SD, but it sounds like I need to track down a card that can handle VGA or DVI input nativley.
 
Looking into that, it appears the best option is a "StarTech.com PCI Express HD Video Capture Card", which takes DVI direct.

Bumps the cost up, but still cheaper than the haupagge.

Anyone other suggestions? I find it bizarre that theres no cheap way to transport the video output of a machine to another without going digital>analogue>digital.
 
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