Converting video to RCA 1

[jerichardson]

Not really 100% sure which forum this should go in, but I'll give this one a shot. Here's what I've got. I work for a security company where we remotely monitor locations. Every single monitor on all 76 machines that we have doing this has to be recorded using our internal DVR solution. Every station has 2 monitors and both must be recorded.

Right now we have these horrible external boxes that split the video so that we have the video source coming from the computer, then that is split back up to the monitor as well as split to RCA which is then sent back to th DVR server to be recorded. Well, now they no longer make the external boxes that we are/were using and I'm trying to find a better solution. What I've come up with is using this card:

http://www.lindy.com/us/productfolder/03/32/32407/index.php

and this cable:

http://www.opentip.com/products/Hig...onitor_Cables_VGA_Cables_Hot_Sale-736777.html

to effectively do the same thing. Well now I have a problem. I have no problem splitting the video with that card because I have tested it on a machine with 2 monitors. Works great. However, when I try to convert it to RCA, which is the exact same thing the external boxes do, I can't get a signal to the DVR servers. I tried also to just hook up the cable to a laptop and send video to a TV and that didn't work either.

So my question is this. Is there a better way to do this or what do you think about that converter cable? Do you think it won't work this way or should I just try another cable?

 

[DTracy]

What video capture software are you using?

David

 

[jerichardson]

haha ... of course you'd ask that It's an internally developed software by our development team in Dallas.

 

[jerichardson]

I tried to eliminate the software side of this problem by using the cable by itself trying to display on the tv. HOWEVER, I'm not sure how effective of a test that is. Anyone have any ideas how to test the cable? Our cable tester shows there there is connection on both ends.

 

[G0AOZ]

My only immediate thought is that the level of the signal coming out of the Opentip cable adaptor's RCA connector is insufficient to drive the DVR server. As I recall, composite video is usually about 1 volt peak-to-peak. Do you have anyone in your tech lab who can attach the cable to a 'scope and check what's coming out?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[jerichardson]

I don't know that we have a scope here. Although I may have one at home. I didn't even think to check that. I just started here not too long ago so I'm still figuring out what all we have. I'll check with the admin and see if we've got anything laying around. Thanks for the tip!

 

[BadBigBen]

Is there a better way to do this or what do you think about that converter cable?

although I do not work with video, it comes to mind that most GFX cards have MiniDin S-Video Out connectors.

Then add an adapter which turns the signal into a Composite video signal, which can be send to the RECORDER and a Monitor aswell as having the VGA exit feed another monitor...

i.e. here is a cheap GFX card that comes with the adapter:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127295

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[gbaughma]

Wow.... wait....

Are you remotely DVR-ing PC displays? I would hate to work in that environment.

How far of a distance are you attempting to send the signal? Roger is right... if you don't have enough output (1v peak-to-peak) then you'll get no picture, or a crappy one at best.

What cable are you using to run the video over?

What about a daemon that actually takes screen shots and sends them over a network instead?



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[jerichardson]

We're only sending the signal about 50 feet. It's a mess of conversions with the cables. The cable comes out of the monitor as vga, is then converted to RCA, then finally converted to BNC(coax), which is then sent to the IVR servers and converted back to RCA and then recorded on the server.

We are working on purchasing a very expensive and very cool program that records all of the monitors like a DVR but it's entirely software based and we can eliminate a LOT of cable clutter. However, that's about 2 months down the road and, in the meantime, we have at least 4 (that I know of) machines that aren't being recorded. That normally wouldn't be a big problem because we would just order new boxes. However, now they're no longer in production. So I'm trying to use this technique to reduce cable clutter while we wait for the software based application

 

[gbaughma]

Your DVR doesn't have BNC inputs? Wow...

Well, I guess

http://sewelldirect.com/pc-to-tv.asp

with a VGA-Y cord would do you for the time being.



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[LawnBoy]

This may help some: there is no "conversion" between RCA and BNC. Both formats use the exact same signal, refered to as "line level" (the 1vpp Greg mentioned). Generally you use RCA-terminated cables for shorter runs, and BNC-terminated cables for longer runs.

Don't get confused by the term "coax" either. Those RCA-terminated cables can be using a form of coax cable as well.

hth.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[jerichardson]

I like that box but my intent right now is to eliminate the external boxes. That's why I chose the internal cards Thanks for clearing up the difference LawnBoy ... I always get confused.

I don't really know where to go from here. I think I'm going to test that cable this week with a scope and see what it puts out.

 

[LawnBoy]

BTW, "line-level" is also called "composite video". Couldn't think of the term yesterday.

I did find this gizmo:

http://www.datapro.net/products/vga-to-composite-video-converter.html

It has a VGA pass-through input and composite video output.

The problem with the adapter cable you linked to is that it doesn't actually convert VGA signals.

CAUTION: Only works with VGA cards that have TV-Out functionality through the VGA connector.

"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[jerichardson]

I didn't see that when we ordered it. So do you think the only way for this to work is via an external box that will actually convert the signal?

 

[LawnBoy]

Unless you can find a video card that will output VGA and composite at the same time, I would say so.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes