PS2 - PC

[Baloki]

Ok so I was reading that you can get internal/external cards that allow you to connect things such as your PS2, video player, etc upto your PC and use the monitor and sound card to view/listen to them (We all know monitors are speakers :p ).

So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as I've searched extensivly and none of the companies sites actually show pictures of the ports or list what ports they have on them :)

A Video-in, Audio-in ports would be superb :D

[Endless]

You didn't search much, then. :p

Ati's All-in-wonder series are a 3D card with a TV tuner added, which means video in. Sound in goes in your sound card. I know that nVidia does similar cards aswell.
Happauge, Hercules, Pinnacle systems and Leadtek all have several tuner cards, video capturing cards, and external (usually usb 2.0) tuners and capturing cards.

The most common input is through composite, although some also have a s-video in. External devices usually have the sound in (left/right, composite size of plug).

If you just want to use the monitor of a computer and not have to go through a tv/video program to see the game, you can also try a VGA box.

[Baloki]

I have been through the Pinnical and Hepitage (How ever you spell it) websites and the only thing I found with Audio-in plug sockets was their top model at nearly £200.

Also I don't want to replace my Video and Sound Cards as their pritty good already and near the high(-ish) end as it is.

I'll have a look at the video capture cards :)

[crono_logical]

The ATI Radeon in my dad's machine can take standard phono plugs (the red, white and yellow triple things) or a standard S-VHS plug for both input and output, in addition to the standard monitor video out. The audio is actually hooked up to the sound card though from the video card, since it's gonna be the sound card recording the sound. You can get SCART to phono/S-VHS adapters, if your video equipment uses SCART sockets.

You might be better off looking on sites which actually sell the products and give technical specs on these specialist video cards :p

[Baloki]

I think I might goto PC World and just physically look at the cards as each company seems to call the connectors different names ;_;

Also I went to Leadtek and found a card ( http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_pvr2000_1.html ) and I really don't understand how you connect the stuff it suggests as they all say out and not in...

Edit: Oh and if it helps I have a Soundblaster Audigy2 Soundcard and 128mb Nivida GeForce FX5200 video card with DVI, VGA and S-video out ports...

Edit²: I've done some more research, this time into capture cards, which of these seem better to you guys :) ?

Number1 (http://dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/multimediaandspeakers/productView.htm?quicklinx=3K78)

Number2 (http://dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/multimediaandspeakers/productView.htm?quicklinx=2THG)

Number3 (http://dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/multimediaandspeakers/productView.htm?quicklinx=34yh)

[crono_logical]

Good choice, dabs.com is always cheaper than PC World :p

Anyway, only number one looks like a video capture card to me (and it uses a spare PCI slot, so doesn't replace your video out card), the other two look like external dongles providing you with the extra ports to plug the devices in. Out of the two external ones, I'd pick the USB2 capable one, since the USB1.1 one can only capture at 320x240, which is pretty poor if you ask me. Probably partially due to it using such a slow bus speed though, but still. I think it depends on what sort of usage you're intending on doing as to whether you'd go for internal or external :p

[Baloki]

Installing internally is something I'd happly do and I have at least 1 spare PCI slot (2 if you count a 56k modem as obsolite :D ).

So would it be best to go for the more expensive TV/Digital Capture Card or are the USB ones more versitile.

What I'm planning to do is capture some videos from my VCR into MPEG/VCD/Whatever and try and play my PS2 through my PC.

Thanks :)

Edit: and was that sarcasm towards Dabs I heard? I only searched there because their interface and ports list is more consistant then some of the other sites, even if it can be a little more expensive, and I don't have to buy from there once I've found what I want :)

[crono_logical]

No, I've only ever done shopping online at dabs myself :p

I've never used the USB stuff so can't comment on what they're like for what you're planning to do :p

[Endless]

I bought and ADS Instant VideoMPX, and tested it on mylaptop using stills from my camera, and so far it works. Tomorrow I shall test capturing video+sound from my ntsc ps2.

[Baloki]

I bought and ADS Instant VideoMPX, and tested it on mylaptop using stills from my camera, and so far it works. Tomorrow I shall test capturing video+sound from my ntsc ps2.

*Egially awaits the results*

[Endless]

It seems the thing is picky about the video signal, but it could be my video PS2 cable not helping. When capturing, I could get the sound fine, but using the usb viewer utility, I wouldn't get any sound. I haven't had time to test more though.