# How can I get VGA into a computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 18, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046 "2008-01-18T17:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/1 "2008-01-18T17:40:07Z")
I have a VGA source that I would like to save in digital format (preferably as an .avi file) How can I get this signal into my computer with the fewest number of lossy steps? Currently I’m using a scan-converter to turn the VGA signal into NTSC composite, then feeting the composite signal into a USB-connected input adapter, but its only producing a fairly low-quality mpeg file, which is getting even more scrambled when I edit it with Premiere. What can I do to improve the fidelity of the digitized version of the source signal? ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/2 "2008-01-21T16:04:26Z")
1. Bump. 2. By VGA I am referring not necessarily to the resolution (although I think it IS 640 x 480) but to the output port, an HD-DB-15. 3. Hi Opal! ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/3 "2008-01-21T16:21:13Z")
A little more info please. What is your video source? ie. What is the obstacle to capturing the video on the source? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/4 "2008-01-21T16:34:56Z")
Am I understanding correctly that you need a VGA connector that is an input instead of an output? ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/5 "2008-01-21T17:15:46Z")
[QUOTE=Projammer] What is your video source? ie. What is the obstacle to capturing the video on the source? [/QUOTE] The source is an oscilloscope; it has a VGA output for use with an external monitor but cannot itself record video. [QUOTE=KneadToKnow] Am I understanding correctly that you need a VGA connector that is an input instead of an output? [/QUOTE] That is correct. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/6 "2008-01-21T17:33:43Z")
A little quick poking around on google located [this](http://www.videoclarity.com/CVhardware.html) capture card for DVI/VGA. The second one in the list. No idea what kind of price tag it carries though. Does the scope have any other output options? Being able to ditch the VGA-NTSC adapter would do you a world of good. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/7 "2008-01-21T18:12:41Z")
[QUOTE=Projammer] No idea what kind of price tag it carries though. [/QUOTE] Its part of a system that retails for $40,000. I called. There is no other output from the scope, alas. I could handle the VGA-NTSC conversion better if only I could bring the NTSC signal into the computer at a resolution greater than the current 320 x 240. Maybe I could get a better video input adapter? My scan converter has an S-video out as well as the composite, but since its a monochrome signal to begin with, I’m not sure that the Y/C separation helps at all. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/8 "2008-01-21T18:14:55Z")
I also have a scan converter that converts the 15 pin VGA output into separate R/G/B/H/V signals with no loss of resolution. A way to get THAT signal into the computer would be acceptable too. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/9 "2008-01-21T18:19:26Z")
Another option you may consider that I think will give better quality than your current setup would be to rig up some kind of a light-blocking hood and use a digital video camera to record the oscilloscope. From there you have lots of options to get the video into your computer. ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/10 "2008-01-21T20:54:11Z")
There are less expensive VGA capture cards out there: [like this one for $349](http://www.pixelsmart.com/vga.html) or [this USB one for $299](http://www.epiphan.com/products/product.php?pid=1). Lots of NTSC capture cards will do 720x480, just check their specs ([Like this one](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100120) ). ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/11 "2008-01-21T21:01:41Z")
[This](http://www.iviewdata.com/data/modules.php?name=catalog&file=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=28) looks like it might work for you then. It should be a simple cable to go from VGA to DVI and then into this one. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2008, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-get-vga-into-a-computer/434046/12 "2008-01-22T03:40:34Z")
I read the title as “How can I get VAG into a computer?” There’s websites that can solve that problem… but… yeah.