How to Record Gameplay Directly From TV Screen?

[MostOfAll]

Here's everything I have so far:

- Three splitters

- Three sets of RCA/AV cables (I have more, but I think the requirement is three sets.)

- iGrabber (capture card)

- 13-inch aluminum unibody MacBook Pro

- TV

- PS3

 

I'm trying to record gameplay directly from the TV, not from the console. I keep trying, but it still doesn't work. What should I do?

[OzzySM12]

Unless your TV had a video output its not possible. And I am yet to see a TV with additional output.

 

Only way to capture will be from the console. Don't know if you just haven’t explained it right but I don’t see the difference. Wither it coming from the console or from the TV's output (if it had one).

[Wolf68k]

TVs don't have outputs other than audio out which is meant to go to a stereo of some sort.

The only way you're going be to do this is to pass it through a VCR or the capture card and play the game on your PC which would also act as your TV.

[MostOfAll]

TVs don't have outputs other than audio out which is meant to go to a stereo of some sort.

The only way you're going be to do this is to pass it through a VCR or the capture card and play the game on your PC which would also act as your TV.

I actually do have a VCR. I was thinking of something similar, too. Do you happen to have any insight on how to do it this way?

[Wolf68k]

You connect your console to the AV in, then connect the output from the VCR to the tv.

Keep in mind it's going to be 4:3 and very low res. It'll be VHS quality.

 

If you used a capture card and your PC there "might" be some lag but you'll be able to capture at a much higher quality and resolution

[MostOfAll]

You connect your console to the AV in, then connect the output from the VCR to the tv.

Keep in mind it's going to be 4:3 and very low res. It'll be VHS quality.

 

If you used a capture card and your PC there "might" be some lag but you'll be able to capture at a much higher quality and resolution

If it's low quality, never mind. I'll just record it from my PS3. With all the things I listed before, what else would I need to do this?

[Wolf68k]

You said you have a capture card, for the PC I'm assuming. So you just need to hook it up, install the drivers, and go.

Now it's plausible that you can use splitters to split the video to the TV and capture card at the same time, so you can play watching the TV while recording to the PC which might cut out any lag, but don't quote me on it.

Also keep in mind that, in a quick search of the iGrabber, it only does composite video so the video might not still be as great as it could be. If you get a capture card that supports component video in then you'll be able to get really great quality up to a possible 1080p.

[MostOfAll]

 

You said you have a capture card, for the PC I'm assuming. So you just need to hook it up, install the drivers, and go.

Now it's plausible that you can use splitters to split the video to the TV and capture card at the same time, so you can play watching the TV while recording to the PC which might cut out any lag, but don't quote me on it.

Also keep in mind that, in a quick search of the iGrabber, it only does composite video so the video might not still be as great as it could be. If you get a capture card that supports component video in then you'll be able to get really great quality up to a possible 1080p.

I have a MacBook Pro, so the iGrabber is pretty much the only choice I have. I know there's the Dazzle for Mac, but its price is outrageous. The iGrabber also supports S-video.

[Wolf68k]

See this is what I mean about details. People need to give details.

If you already have it then go with it. If the console supports S-video out then use that. It's some what better quality over all than composite but in the end it's still pretty much the same thing a VCR supports, that is to say it'll still be 480i

 

And you have other choices http://www.elgato.com/ but even their cheapest product is $100 (priced based on their site, other sites may vary)

[MostOfAll]

 

See this is what I mean about details. People need to give details.

If you already have it then go with it. If the console supports S-video out then use that. It's some what better quality over all than composite but in the end it's still pretty much the same thing a VCR supports, that is to say it'll still be 480i

 

And you have other choices http://www.elgato.com/ but even their cheapest product is $100 (priced based on their site, other sites may vary)

The problem is I don't even know how to set the damn thing up. What's the AV-cable/HDMI cable/PS3 connector called? The extra thing required for connecting from the PS3 to the iGrabber. I hate this because I don't even know what these things are called without having to look them up.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWCIWglbClw

It's basically the PS3 version of whatever that Xbox wire is. Apparently, all these people with these "how to set up capture card" videos are dead or they're too lazy to reply to comments.

Edited November 28, 2010 by Allen14n

[Wolf68k]

You said at the start of the topic you have everything you need.

You have the RCA cables (you only need 2 sets of A/V cables), splitters, iGrabber and PS3 composite cable (this, I'm not saying you have to buy that one from that site but that's what you need. Does this come with the PS3?).

That video shows how to connect all the hardware.

Forget the S-video

 

 

[SyphonPayne]

Does this come with the PS3?

Yep.

[MostOfAll]

Does this come with the PS3?

Yep.

Is that the cable that connects the PS3 to the TV or is there some sort of extra cable?

[Wolf68k]

That's the one, but you connect it up just like the video.

[MostOfAll]

That's the one, but you connect it up just like the video.

What do you mean by "connect it up just like the video"? Sorry, I apologize for my not knowing all this stuff. I'm a novice when it comes to TV cables and the akin.

[SyphonPayne]

That's the one, but you connect it up just like the video.

What do you mean by "connect it up just like the video"? Sorry, I apologize for my not knowing all this stuff. I'm a novice when it comes to TV cables and the akin.

He means connect it up just like you see in the video you linked to.

 

Of course, instead of using Xbox cables, you use the PS3 cables.

[MostOfAll]

Is this the PS3 composite cable?

http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/av-cable-ps3.html

 

If so, I only have an HDMI cable that connects the PS3 to the TV.

[SyphonPayne]

Yeah that's it. PS3 comes with that cable, I guess you lost it?

[MostOfAll]

Yeah that's it. PS3 comes with that cable, I guess you lost it?

It should be in the box, but I can't manage to find that box anymore.

[MostOfAll]

This better work once I get the PS3 composite cable. I've been waiting for months now. Each time I think I'm all set to record gameplay, I always end up needing to buy something else.

[MostOfAll]

Sorry for double posting, but I just have to say this.

 

I got the component cable. I did everything, but it still doesn't work. This is so annoying.

[Wolf68k]

What doesn't work exactly?

Are you not seeing anything on the Mac that should be coming from the PS3?

[MostOfAll]

What doesn't work exactly?

Are you not seeing anything on the Mac that should be coming from the PS3?

When I take out the HDMI cable and only use the component cable, it won't even show up on the TV screen. I tried using the HDMI cable along with the component cable at the same time, and it still didn't work. When I simply plugged the component cable into the PS3 and the TV, that was no use. The TV said to check all the cables, and the signal was apparently "weak."

 

I tried it on another TV to no prevail.

 

I don't even know what's wrong here.

[Wolf68k]

I don't know what to tell you then. I don't own a PS3 (and never will if I can help it).

But that's the first problem you need to fix. I can only suggest searching Google for something like: PS3 composite cable no video on TV

 

Do you get any audio? If not then silly question, are you sure the TV is set to the right input source? Test by connecting something else to that same video/audio port that you know works and see what you get.

[MostOfAll]

I don't know what to tell you then. I don't own a PS3 (and never will if I can help it).

But that's the first problem you need to fix. I can only suggest searching Google for something like: PS3 composite cable no video on TV

 

Do you get any audio? If not then silly question, are you sure the TV is set to the right input source? Test by connecting something else to that same video/audio port that you know works and see what you get.

Thanks for the advice. I looked up the problem on Google, and I found a topic on the official PlayStation forums. Apparently, the display settings need to be reset when switching from HDMI to composite. I'll try that.

[MostOfAll]

I finally managed to get it to work by resetting the PS3's display settings. The only problem now is that the screen is blurry, and the quality isn't exactly good. I can't even see anything at certain places in Grand Theft Auto IV. However, it looks fine in the recording.