# Computer image to video tape.......possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 4, 2000, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535 "2000-07-04T05:34:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2000, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535/1 "2000-07-04T05:34:26Z")
I want to transfer some graphics from my computer to video tape. Is there any simple (i.e. cheap) way to do this? I have an IBM Aptiva. I have access via my companies AV dept. to several different formats of cameras and recorders. But the problem is, how do I connect an output from the computer to a camera or recorder? Just aiming a camera at the monitor results in a crappy picture. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2000, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535/2 "2000-07-04T05:45:19Z")
You will need to either get a video card with composit video out or use a VCR with SVGA input(hard to find). My high school had some digital TV/VCR sets with SVGA input, see if your company has one. If your company has one of those LCD projectors that can be hooked to a computer it may be possible to attach a VCR to the composit output on the projector (if it has one). Most likely you will need to get a card put in your computer. ---
**Author:** ![Jo3sh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a587f6/32.png) [@Jo3sh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jo3sh)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2000, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535/3 "2000-07-04T07:22:03Z")
You can also buy a box that converts the VGA signal to an NTSC signal. This will allow you to keep your computer monitor on and have an output to a VCR/VTR with no problems, no mucking about with the computers innards, and minimal cost (I last saw them a year or so ago for about $100US) Sorry, but I don’t have a link for you. Will post one later if I find one. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2000, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535/4 "2000-07-04T09:08:07Z")
Buy a device calles a “Scan converter”. That’s the proper way to grab images off of your screen. -Sam P.S.-- I believe that’s what is described below as “converting SVGA to NTSC”. Easiest way to do it without getting scan lines in your grab. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2000, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535/5 "2000-07-04T14:32:18Z")
If your company has an AV department, might that department have either an Amiga computer (any of them, I think) or a Mac with S-video out (G3 era PowerBooks, “AV” Macs)? If so, that will save you the cost of a card for the Aptiva. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2000, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-image-to-video-tape-possible/24535/6 "2000-07-04T15:14:03Z")
A tv card that has tv out does th trick for a PC. About $40 US from [buy.com](http://buy.com)