[SOLVED] Recording to VHS from Computer

[Shaina11]

So basically what I'm trying to do is to record a video played back from my computer to a VHS tape. But I need to know how this would work out before I go out and buy VHS tapes.

So here's my setup. I have my laptop plugged into the DVD Player's S-Video input, and my laptop's audio connected via analog to the DVD Player's analog audio input. Then I have analog audio and video going from the DVD Player's analog output to the VCR's analog input, which is then output to the TV.

So here's my question. My computer's GPU will only output 1280 x 800 resolution, and I know VHS tapes are somewhere around 330 x 480 or something. So if I were to record a 16:9 720p video from my computer to the VCR, how would it look on the VHS tape? Would it be in my computer's 1280 x 800 resolution, and 16:9? Or would it be downscaled(this is what I hope) to 330 x 480 and converted to 4:3 aspect ratio?

Please reply asap, thank you!

 

[Brillis Wuce]

Wow. Thanks for the trip down memory lane 😉.

I've got to say, wouldn't it just be easier to buy an old DVD/VCR combo, then record your DVD's onto the VHS using that?

 

[Shaina11]

You're welcome! Even if they're old, outdated, no longer made, I still love them! What can I say? Old technology is cool. I even like the crappy quality, lol.

Well that might work, but aren't DVDs also 720 x 480p and most are also 16:9? Also you have to keep in mind Macrovision copy protection on the DVDs. Unless of course you were to burn a DVD from the computer. But that's more work, more time, and it uses DVDs as well as VHS tapes.

 

[Brillis Wuce]

Well, the good news is, no matter what resolution the video is recorded at, the VHS shouldn't have any problems. It will just downsize the quality to the level of VHS.

The bad news is, I'm not sure you can do this with a laptop. You'll probably need something like a TV tuner card, which would require a desktop.

http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/274619-how-can-i-record-from-the-computer-to-vhs-tape

Hopefully this can help.

 

[Shaina11]

Oh that's great! Thank you for the good news. Oh, also would it convert 16:9 to 4:3? Also I know how I can record it with my laptop. As I stated above:

"So here's my setup. I have my laptop plugged into the DVD Player's S-Video input, and my laptop's audio connected via analog to the DVD Player's analog audio input. Then I have analog audio and video going from the DVD Player's analog output to the VCR's analog input, which is then output to the TV."

I have my DVD Player and my VCR separate. My DVD Player basically acts as a converter as my VCR doesn't have S-Video input.

 

[Brillis Wuce]

Oh gotcha. About the viewing ratio, I'm actually not sure about that. What program(s) are you using?

 

[Shaina11]

I'll probably be playing back the video in VLC media player, and have the video stretched to cover the entire screen.

(For connecting the laptop's audio, I use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/RiteAV-Feet-3-5mm-Stereo-Cable/dp/B000V0G2C4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1423793637&sr=8-2&keywords=3.5+mm+to+analog)

 

[Brillis Wuce]

Man that's tough. I'd have to say just buy a few blank VHS' and give it a shot. I'm not sure about the aspect ratio.

 

[Shaina11]

Well thank you for your help. At least I know that the video will be downscaled hopefully to 330 x 480p. That was my biggest concern. The aspect ratio is more of a minor concern. I don't think I'd mind watching 16:9 on VHS, lol.

 

[Brillis Wuce]

Ha that'd be interesting. That part I'm certain about. The VHS will record whatever's being played at its native resolution.

 

[Shaina11]

So just to clarify, that means that a 1280 x 720p video will be downscaled to 330 x 480p(or whatever resolution the VCR has) coming from the computer?

 

[giantbucket]

You could probably get or make a VGA-to-Composite adapter cable and do away with the DVD player. Then set VLC to the 4:3 aspect and possibly correct frame rate.

Then, back up your hard drive to 5.25" DS/DD floppies.

 

[Shaina11]

You could probably get or make a VGA-to-Composite adapter cable and do away with the DVD player. Then set VLC to the 4:3 aspect and possibly correct frame rate.

Then, back up your hard drive to 5.25" DS/DD floppies.

Lol, there's one problem with that. My laptop's VGA port crapped out a long while ago. But that's a good suggestion, thank you.

 

[Brillis Wuce]

So just to clarify, that means that a 1280 x 720p video will be downscaled to 330 x 480p(or whatever resolution the VCR has) coming from the computer?

Yep. It's the same thing as Netflix being down scaled to whatever TV it's be played on, for example.

 

[Shaina11]

So just to clarify, that means that a 1280 x 720p video will be downscaled to 330 x 480p(or whatever resolution the VCR has) coming from the computer?

Yep. It's the same thing as Netflix being down scaled to whatever TV it's be played on, for example.

Ah, I see. Gotcha. Good example But there's one more thing that confusels me. When my VCR outputs to the TV what it sees from its input ports, it's displayed in my computer's 1280 x 800 resolution....

EDIT: Also, when it displays on the TV as stated above, it's fairly blurry. So it's a possibility that it's being upscaled,

 

[Brillis Wuce]

Your MONITOR is at 1280x800 resolution. The video being played is not. Just because the video is taking up the entire screen, doesn't mean the video is 1280x800 resolution. It's just stretching that 480x330 to fit your monitor.

 

[Shaina11]

Oooohhhh, I get it. So it is upscaling as I suspected. Phew. Well, thank you for all of your help. I'm going to try to record a video to VHS from my computer sometime in the future when I'm able to get some VHS Tapes, then I'll post results here. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Brillis Wuce]

No problem. Yeah, let me know how it goes.

 

[Shaina11]

I most certainly will. Though it may be a few weeks unfortunately, but it will happen and I will report back asap. Thanks again.