How to record VGA signals to VCR

Getting computer displays to TV or recording it to video recorder (VCR) is not easy today. Earlier computers were designed to use TV as their display and recording that signal to VCR was no problem. Nowadays computer display has totally different characteristics from normal TV signals because of higher resolutions and need for flicker free display. But in this time where computers and video are more and more conveg�ng to the same unit, there is still (maybe even more than before) need for getting your computer picture to TV or VCR. There are different methods nowadays available for this, but all methods have their good and bad sides. This article tries to clear out thing a little bit.

When you are recording something to VCR the signal must be good quality composite video signal (or S-video if you have SVHS VCR). Consumer VCRs can only handle composite video signals. The signal you are saving to video must be very accurately right according to TV signal specs. VCR is not so forgiving as normal TV to signal frequencies: some picture which will look good on TV might record very baddly to VCR.

If you are planning to use stationary graphics well to the VCR, need it support all software you use and maybe need even genlocking, then you must go to external converter box which works just by pluging it to VGA card. This type of products I have seen in use are AverKey 3 and SkyVision BOX-800+. They work resonable well with stationary pictures, but are not suitable for getting smooth animation to VCR. This is the fundamental problem of the scan conversion system used in all this type of adapters. For more information technology behind this type of scan comverters, check Selecting Scan Converter article from Extron Electronics.

If you need to playback video animation to VCR you need another type approach. You can either use special card made for professional PAL video output. They are expensive and theose are not well supported in many operating system. Usually you might have to stick to Windows or certain special applications. If you are looking for this type of card the you should check companies like Fast, Matrox and Hauppauge.

Another approach is to use cheap VGA to TV converter which needs suitable driver software to work. You can get nice video output with best products, but you can expext some compability problems with drivers and other software. Keep im mind that driver software changes the VGA refresh rates and works usually well only with selected set of VGA card chipsets and usually only under DOS. If you are looking for this type of product to be used with NTSC TV system, check VIP50 and Game Zapper. I don't know this type of adapters designed to be used with PAL TV system. For those who want to know more about technology can check my VGA to TV converter (The output signal from this circuit is not suitable for VCR recording!).

Remeber that there is big difference in the picture quality and compability of the different computer video output products. make sure that the equipment you are thinking of buying is suitable for your application and works well with your system.