Laptop Hard Disk Recorder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Si
  • Start date Start date
S

Si

Would it be possible to use a laptop PC as a hard disk recorder for the TV?
If so, what would I need to set it up and could I watch the recordings back
on the TV a bit like a TV DVD recorder?

Cheers.

Si
 
Would it be possible to use a laptop PC as a hard disk recorder for the TV?
Click to expand...

Yes, you'd most likely want a USB MPEG encoder box. I
suggest Googling for "USB MPEG ENCODER" if that's what you
want, but popular capture card companies may make them as
well, like Canapus or Dazzle... or you could look here:
http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCardRead=79
If so, what would I need to set it up and could I watch the recordings back
on the TV a bit like a TV DVD recorder?
Click to expand...

Yes, IF the box you buy has an appropriate output matching
your TV's input options. For example, S-Video. That is
fairly common.

However, notebooks are not designed to run continuously
24/7, are best NOT running at higher load longer-term
either, and their HDDs are (fast enough for MPEG2 but
still...) not particularly fast. In short, a traditional
desktop or SFF (small form factor) non-laptop would be a
more optimal solution. Plus, it'll have a lot more HDD
space potential, something you will find you want a LOT of
with TV capturing.
 
kony said:
Yes, you'd most likely want a USB MPEG encoder box. I
suggest Googling for "USB MPEG ENCODER" if that's what you
want, but popular capture card companies may make them as
well, like Canapus or Dazzle... or you could look here:
http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCardRead=79
Click to expand...

Or if you are talking digital television you can use a USB box to record the
trasmission steam directly to your hard disk without using all the CPU for
encoding. There is about 1.3 Gb per half hour SD transmission.
 
Or if you are talking digital television you can use a USB box to record the
trasmission steam directly to your hard disk without using all the CPU for
encoding. There is about 1.3 Gb per half hour SD transmission.
Click to expand...

It does't have to be digital, ALL of the USB types do
pre-encode it, that's manditory to get the bitrate down low
enough to be reliably transferred over the USB (even USB2 is
far too slow for uncompressed video). Even so, there is
still northbridge activity and perhaps enough to create a
relatively higher CPU temp... even if not anywhere near full
load.
 
This was for my Brother and I have advised him he'd be better off buying a
DVD Hard Disk recorder seeing as the MPEG encoder box is pretty expensive
anyway.

Thanks for all your help.

Si
 
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