getting TV to laptop

flogen

Bit of an odd question, but is there a way to get what I'm watching on my TV onto my laptop.

I don't mean getting a TV tuner for the laptop, but more a way to actually connect my digital STB up to my laptop?

I have a UPC PVR and there's the odd time that something will happen on a show I'm watching that I'd like to capture (Say a funny moment, a gaffe by someone on TV, or whatever)... I can rewind it back because it's a PVR but my only option for getting it onto my laptop is to film it with a phone or camcorder and upload that... which isn't the best.

One solution I thought of was to get a slingbox, but it seems a bit pricey to get just for the odd bit of recording I want to do - I probably wouldn't use it as it's supposed to be used very often if at all.

Is there any way I can connect the scart coming from my digibox into my laptop, basically using it as my TV?

One major issue is that my laptop lacks connections - only USB and a monitor (out) connection... There's an express card slot too.

So can I get a USB to scart in socket?!!!

AlmightyCushion

Would something like this do? It says it takes composite and s-video input, nothing about scart though. But I'm sure you could get an s-video cable for your pvr. Only problem is it's a bit pricey.

Tom Dunne

flogen wrote: »

So can I get a USB to scart in socket?!!!

You can, it's called a capture card. It takes a video signal and imports it into a PC. AC's link above is what you need.

TBH, a TV-tuner card is cheaper than a dedicated capture card.

flogen

Thanks for that AC - seems a bit pricey alright but still gives me an idea of what's out there.

I found a few references to a USB cable that lets you plug an RGB connection into it too - not found anywhere that sells it though... still, it's a start!

tom dunne wrote: »

You can, it's called a capture card. It takes a video signal and imports it into a PC. AC's link above is what you need.

TBH, a TV-tuner card is cheaper than a dedicated capture card.

Yeah, but I'd only be able to record what the tuner picked up then, wouldn't I? Like whatever's available on analogue or digital terrestrial depending...

Tom Dunne

flogen wrote: »

Yeah, but I'd only be able to record what the tuner picked up then, wouldn't I? Like whatever's available on analogue or digital terrestrial depending...

No - most tuners also have alternative inputs. For example, on my Hauppauge USB unit, I have the "rabbits ears" trying in vain to pick up the terrestrial channels and my Sky box also connected via the RCA (red/white/yellow) sockets.

flogen

tom dunne wrote: »

No - most tuners also have alternative inputs. For example, on my Hauppauge USB unit, I have the "rabbits ears" trying in vain to pick up the terrestrial channels and my Sky box also connected via the RCA (red/white/yellow) sockets.

Ah, thanks.

How much did that set you back? What model is it?

Tom Dunne

flogen wrote: »

How much did that set you back? What model is it?

It's a Hauppauge USB PVR2. Can't remember off the top of my head how much it was, around €100 AFAIR.