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[xboxbox451]

There are probably ten different ways to record video & sound from your Xbox to your PC, but this tutorial describes my method. And since many may already have some of the components described within, this may be your ideal recording method.

My screen capturing method is with the use of a TV Tuner card that has S-Video & Audio input, with the ability to record. Plus some audio/video extension cabling and splitters. This method can also be useful to capture Xbox Dash activity.

This Recorded Video Game Segment Was Posted Using The Steps And Hardware In This Tutorial - 5MB Feed 55 Secs

If you don’t have a tuner card that supports S-video and audio IN, and want to purchase one, check out Newegg.com, they have good tuners between $30.00 - $60.00. Also check out E-bay for the cabling, they have most of what I described, and cheap. Everything may totally cost around $70.00 - $80.00, if your starting from scratch.

WARNING: Buy a high quality S-Video splitter with gold connectors. A cheap S-Video Splitter might degrade the quality of your game to TV display.

First, I have images detailing the hardware requirements and installation. Then I explain the raw-basics of capturing, editing, and hosting your videos.





Now that the cabling and hardware are all installed, you’ll need to read and learn how to use the TV Tuner Recorder Software. Remember, your signal from the Xbox is coming through the S-Video channel. So make sure your TV Tuner is set to the S-Video channel, which is done through the software.

RECORDING VIDEO



I always set my default record setting to Windows Media Format (.wmv). This is the best compression ratio, and probably the most widely used. Depending on your software, you can adjust the .wmv compression ratio, so it can record in a higher quality, but will save as a large file, or you can record in a lower quality, and it will save as a small file. This all depends on your software that you use to record.

You can also record in other formats such as, .avi or mpeg. Then later use one of the many video converters to compress or convert your video. There are utilities you can use to split your videos, compress, or convert. Some are free or shareware, and some are try before you buy. Check around the internet to see what suits your needs.

EDITING WHAT YOU CAPTURE (WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER, WHO KNEW)

Now that you captured a 20meg video of some game, you may want to edit it by cutting out unwanted scenes or adding fade-ins, special effects, voice overs, text, audio tracks or some photos like your sig.

You may not realize this, but if your using Windows XP you already have a movie editor already installed. That movie editor is Windows Movie Maker. Just click on the Windows Start button go to programs, and Windows Movie Maker is one of the last icons.

Windows Movie Maker is a basic movie editor, but you can use it to do everything I mentioned earlier, and more. Plus its easy to learn, though not that easy. You’ll definitely need to play around with it for a while to learn how to use all the features.

Another feature, is that you can record right to Windows Movie Maker. Heres how to try it:

In Movie Maker click file, click capture video, then under available devices you should see your tuner card BE SURE to choose S-Video in the Video Selection Box and check the Audio Input Source box you might have to select “What U Here” for an audio selection (you may have to play around with this setting if you don’t record sound), now you’ll be able to name your video and choose where to save it, click next, now you can choose the quality to save your video, click next, click start capture, then when done recording click end capture. Can’t get much easier. And since it captured right to Movie Maker you can start editing.

When it comes to the output quality of your video, you’ll need to test what settings are best. Try the recorder software that came with your tuner and compare it with Windows Movie Maker. The software designed for the tuner may do a better job. But that’s up to you to experiment.

Be sure to run Windows Update to ensure you'll have the latest version of Windows Movie Maker and Windows Media Player.

Here are some Windows Movie Maker Screenshots





HOSTING WHAT YOU FINALIZE

Now that you captured & edited your video, you may want to post a link to it in a forum for others to see. To accomplish this you will need to upload your video to online storage.

First, check and see if your Internet Service Provider gives you any on-line storage space as part of your service. If they do its probably only around 10-20MB of storage. If you have the need for a lot of storage, you’ll most likely need an account with a private online storage site. There are many on the net, best to do a Google and research a good company, that provides hosting and viewing of your files. There will most likely be a monthly fee involved.

Once you accomplish that, you can upload your files to your storage site, copy the URL address (URL example:https://home.yourhost.net/~username/filename.wmv), and then insert that link in whatever thread you want people to view it.

FORUM POSTING TIPS

When you post a link to a video segment you recorded, try to keep the file size around 15MB, unless you know everyone has broadband connections. Always describe what the video is about, list the run time, size of the video, and format it’s in, such as .wmv, avi, etc…

That’s about the basics, the rest is up to you.

Hope this helps & Good Luck.

[awal]

good tutorial
what i do is use a standard coaxial splitter, like this one:
(IMG:http://www.btx.com/Product_Pix/IN-4120S.jpg)
to split the coaxial cord, one to tv, on to comp

This post has been edited by awal: Mar 12 2005, 03:05 AM

[Mr.Chicken]

lol

[thomes08]

nice tut..... the svideo way will get you better audio and video, more complicated but better in the end.

did you just decide to make this tut for the hell of it or what?

thomes08

[xboxbox451]

QUOTE(thomes08 @ Mar 12 2005, 08:26 PM)

nice tut..... the svideo way will get you better audio and video, more complicated but better in the end.

did you just decide to make this tut for the hell of it or what?

thomes08

Thanks for the compliment.

After I posted links of my video game play in other threads, I was getting PM's asking how to capture Xbox output to PC. So I decided to do a tutorial.

I'm putting together another tutorial for the Xbox RF Adapter method, which will be posted in this thread, so people can have a choice of methods. Though I feel the S-Video method provides a nice clean output, and doesnt interfere with the normal operation of a tuner card. However, the RF Adapter does not need all the splitters, which some may prefer.

[xboxbox451]

The above tutorial now includes an alternative "RF Adapter" method.

The "RF Adapter" method has been added to provide an alternative solution to the original "S-Video" method. Either method outputs the Xbox signal to PC via a TV Tuner card.

I have not personally used an "RF Adapter", therefore I cannot comment on the quality of the signal output via this method in comparison to S-Video transmission.

Please review both methods to determine which suits your needs best.

Thanks to AWAL for advice on installation & hardware setup utilizing an Xbox RF Adapter.

[oonix]

Thanks for the tutorial, it really helped me!

I do have one question... I plan to use the S-Video method but my tv tuner doesn't have audio IN so I will have to use the audio IN 3.5 mm stereo jack on my sound card, which is already in use. Do you know of a splitter that will allow me to connect two 3.5 mm stereo plugs into one input jack? Would this splitter do it?

[xboxbox451]

I never had to spilt audio that many times, so I cannot give an answer based on experience. The splitter you show does appear to be designed for the purpose you intend to use it for, but I do not know if feedback may occur.

You can always go the RF Adapter method, since the coaxial will also carry sound, freeing you of the need for an additional audio-in. However, I do not know if the quality will be the same as S-Video.

[chefelf]

Moved to Xbox Audio/Video.  Probably better suited there than The Dump.