recording a TV show using a digital camcorder

[Newradgirl]

Is it possible to record a TV show using my digital camcorder? I know I can record a TV show using my comp but I'd prefer using a camcorder first. If this is possible, can anybody teach me how to go about it? Thank you!

[shiny#3]

To get help you should provide
some more information about the harware you want to use.

I mean how should someone be able to guess if your camcorder is equipped with
an audio or video line in.

This would be neccesary if you intend to "capture" with ypur camcorder.

If so, just connect it to the audio and video line outs of a device with a tuner
(eg. Tv set or VCR)

more information would be helpful in helping YOU!!

[videochallenged]

Well Sorry to bring this old thread up, but I have the same questions, how can I record or capture tv footage with a digital camera.

I have a Mini DV camcorder, and I can transfer video to my pc with ease through the firewire cable, I have also sent video to the camera from the PC. I can also record from Camera to camera (dv cam to dv cam)

The camcorder has video in and out and also S-video cables, but I just dont know how to capture or save videos, do I need a vcr to do this? how can I capture from TV to a digital camera?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[rsquirell]

My sharp camcorder came with a video/audio in/out attachment ( and most I've looked at have this capability...either directly or with an attachment. All I do is switch the RCA composit cables from the TV's line in ports to line out depending whether I'm capturing or playing back. Digital Camera users should be aware that unless you are capturing a HDTV broadcast on an HDTV set resolution will be the same as the TV (320X240), and not any better than that of an ordinary camcorder.

[rsquirell]

If you TV doesn't have video/audio line out try going through a cheap VCR.

[videochallenged]

When trying to capture should I set the camcorder in VCR or Camera mode? I put the cables on the cam and all but after that I dont know what to do. Should I hit play, or what? OR maybe my camera just can´t capture from a tv...?

[rsquirell]

set for VCR (view only)...when the program starts hit record.

[rsquirell]

When it's in the VCR mode you should see the TV image in the Camcorder's screen...if not make sure you're connected to the TV's (or VCR's) vid/aud out and not the line in. When I hit record my Sharp shows the record arrows moving and lets you know it's working.

[videochallenged]

Mine is a panasonic, I dont know if I have to go to set up and put video in feature or something, I guess I´ll keep trying, but I suspect this cam might not have capture ability

[rsquirell]

If, as you said, the camera has RCA composite vid/audio ports (yellow and white holes) you have that capability. Stick yellow cable in yellow hole and white in white. Turn the camera on to VCR mode...now stick the other end of the cable in the TV's yellow hole. If the picture doesn't come on the Camcorder screen try the other yellow hole...if you don't have two yellow holes on the TV and your VCR has vid in and vid out try the yellow holes on the VCR (make sure it's on , too). Just poke around a bit.

[videochallenged]

Nah I was wrong, it has a cable with yellow red and white but the port (hole) is different,it is only a yellow hole but it is make for a different type of connector so basically is an output a/v port only.

Anyway sorry for wasting your time

[rsquirell]

the red just gives you stereo capabilities. For now just mess with the yellow and white until you find the right ports to connect with. Then you can go to radio shack and get a red/white/yellow to yellow/white wire if the TV doesn't have a red port. You can capture with the camera...up to you to find the ports.

[videochallenged]

https://www.pro-cam-electronics.com/sonyav.jpg

My cables are like this one except that it also has a red one.

[rsquirell]

This is the cable that came with my Sony laptop. The black connection is extra long and plugs into the PC's TV out port and carries both the video and audio signal. The yellow and white ends plug into the TV. Why don't you take your DV camera to radioshack (or circuit city or best buy) and tell the clerk what you want to do. He'll have your cabling solution on the shelf.

[rsquirell]

If that's the way your cable looks that came with your camcorder then you probably don't have yellow/white connections on the camcorder...just a single vid/audio in/out port. Plug the black into the camera and the yellow and white to the TV (the red is also an audio wire...for a different speaker...and is unneccessary if the TV isn't stereo or doesn't have that port.)