How to Run Xbox Audio/Video Through PC?

mykevermin

mykevermin

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Not a PC Monitor, but a PC; the side project I'm working on required that I capture audio and video for future viewing and transcription, and my advising professor tells me that VHS is just archaic (poor quality video, pain in the ass playback, etc.) compared to digital formats.

I have a Dazzle DV bridge (RCA input, firewire output) that I used to use with my Mac; between the bridge and iMovie, things were just fantastic.

I still have the bridge, but no mac (and no firewire, as I have a laptop that I don't think can be expanded - unless there is a PCMCIA (whatever the shit it's called) firewire adapter that exists.

So, this is a two part inquiry: (1) what is the most reasonable (not too expensive, but of decent video/audio quality) means of setting up my Xbox so that it will run through my PC? and (2) what is the best software for capturing the video and audio?

This problem and IRB approval stand in the way of my XBL study; it's getting closer...
 
Bump: Alright, I've got my setup ready to capture video through my laptop (once the PCMCIA card arrives).

Is there any software I can use to capture the video that you recommend?
 
I, personally, use a Video Capture card with a Conexant 878 chipset in it.

I use the line in jack on my sound card, which should be the LIGHT BLUE jack, and should be included on just about EVERY soundcard out there. Now, I can understand if your soundcard has no color coding on the card (the standard versions of the Audigy were all gold colored, whereas, my OEM audigy had colors), but if you have no actual line-in, get a new sound card.

That being said, I use intervideo WinDVR. It's not the BEST video encoder/capture program out there, but it certainly is the EASIEST to use. if you want a bunch of customization, you can try out VirtualDub (video encoding program) which is decent, but also far less compatible, and far harder to get good video from. This would be my primary choice for a video capture program, but it's semi-incompatible with my video card, and only lets me encode at 320x240, and I have no ability to encode in mpeg-1 or 2, which would help my computer out immensely, since the capture card has an mpeg encoder chip on it.

You'll need to check and see if the Hub you have an encoder chip on it, otherwise, it's going to have to rely on your computer's ability to encode the video on the fly...which can be very time consuming, or provide really shitty compression and/or video quality.

I've personally used my video capture card to record video from my PS2 (primarily MGS2 speed runs). One thing I will tell you right now, straight out, is that you should upgrade from composite to S-Video. VIdeo is tremendously better between the two. If your TV is from at least 1997, or so, you should have an S-Video jack on your TV as well. You can't go wrong.
 
Thanks for the info. I'd been eyeballing Real's "Camtasia Studio" at my PI's suggestion.

I won't be using my TV at all; I just noticed that my digital bridge has an S-Video input, so I need to check if my XB cable has one to plug in; if not, I'm sure I can get one for cheap.

I also have what is possibly the most "ugh. GAWD!" inspiring question amongst gamers ever: what is the maximum number of players on a XBL match of Halo 2? 4? 8? 16?
 
I used camtasia studio once, to capture part of my screen. You won't have much luck with that, since your system most likely uses video overlay. I'd rather skip the actual presentation, but the bottom line is that if you tried to use camtasia studio on a video window, you'll end up with a black screen.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']I also have what is possibly the most "ugh. GAWD!" inspiring question amongst gamers ever: what is the maximum number of players on a XBL match of Halo 2? 4? 8? 16?[/QUOTE]16.
Keep in mind, you won't be able to record your own voice unless your mic yourself seperately.
 
[quote name='CheapyD']16.
Keep in mind, you won't be able to record your own voice unless your mic yourself seperately.[/QUOTE]
That's fine with me; I'm the "Principal Investigator," so I shouldn't be getting in the way anyway. I can "ghost" someone in Halo, right? (where I can be in the game match and observing what's going on, but without actually being seen or participating?)

I'm gonna shoot for 8 people per match, then. Since I have to transcribe every syllable said in a match (it'll be a conversation analysis study), I'm gonna go easy. 16 would make my brain blow up.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']That's fine with me; I'm the "Principal Investigator," so I shouldn't be getting in the way anyway. I can "ghost" someone in Halo, right? (where I can be in the game match and observing what's going on, but without actually being seen or participating?)[/QUOTE]
Possibly. However, I know that Counter-Strike for the PC has that feature, and you can use FRAPs to record that, too.
 
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