DVD to PC
Posted by: u5227470736789439 on 28 January 2008
DVD to PC
I recently got a quite fine looking Toshiba DVD video player, or at least I saved it from going to the tip!
I have an ancient PC which to give you an idea has a Pentium II processor.
Is there anyway I can connect the player to the computer [video only] to get the picture onto the PC monitor?
I am not going to do more than spend a few pounds on cables, and am not worried by the last word in quality. Just something to watch DVD films on ...
The sound will obviously run through the normal system.
George
I recently got a quite fine looking Toshiba DVD video player, or at least I saved it from going to the tip!
I have an ancient PC which to give you an idea has a Pentium II processor.
Is there anyway I can connect the player to the computer [video only] to get the picture onto the PC monitor?
I am not going to do more than spend a few pounds on cables, and am not worried by the last word in quality. Just something to watch DVD films on ...
The sound will obviously run through the normal system.
George
Posted on: 28 January 2008 by AV@naim
What video outputs does the DVD player have?
If you mean direct to monitor, then you need a true progressive RGB output from the DVD player (which is unlikely as most RGB progressive is copy protected anyway)
If you mean a capture card, its not that easy either. Not to mention a PII will probably have a very hard time processing it
If you mean direct to monitor, then you need a true progressive RGB output from the DVD player (which is unlikely as most RGB progressive is copy protected anyway)
If you mean a capture card, its not that easy either. Not to mention a PII will probably have a very hard time processing it
Posted on: 28 January 2008 by Stuart M
Easiest would be go direct to your monitor if the toshiba has DVI output then you can connect this to your monitor, if you only have a D-Sub connection and adapter will cost around £10.
If you only have SCART output you can still connect to the monitor but you will need a more complex adaptor to convert the scart (check it has RGB output) to the monitor and the cost around £90. Google for scart to VGA or scart to D-Sub. Not as easy as you may think as the D-Sub socket has a separate sync.
To go via the PC you'd need a card/USB device that will accept (going the cheap) option S-VHS or Composite and the associated software (usually comes with the device) - these are available from £25 or more BUT often you'll find that commercial DVD's have Macrovision detection so you'll get an unstable picture to prevent you recording it.
Easiest way plug it into your TV (if you have one - or get one on Ebay)
Alternativly forget the DVD player and get a DVD drive for your PC they often come with free DVD player software and then connect the PC to your sound system.
With any option that involves software then check the spec and that your pentium II can handle it.
If you only have SCART output you can still connect to the monitor but you will need a more complex adaptor to convert the scart (check it has RGB output) to the monitor and the cost around £90. Google for scart to VGA or scart to D-Sub. Not as easy as you may think as the D-Sub socket has a separate sync.
To go via the PC you'd need a card/USB device that will accept (going the cheap) option S-VHS or Composite and the associated software (usually comes with the device) - these are available from £25 or more BUT often you'll find that commercial DVD's have Macrovision detection so you'll get an unstable picture to prevent you recording it.
Easiest way plug it into your TV (if you have one - or get one on Ebay)
Alternativly forget the DVD player and get a DVD drive for your PC they often come with free DVD player software and then connect the PC to your sound system.
With any option that involves software then check the spec and that your pentium II can handle it.
Posted on: 28 January 2008 by u5227470736789439
Thanks both. Certainly the easiest way would be to get a normal TV, and about £40 secures an ex-rental Sony in Worcester, but I have no TV licence, and no wish to have to buy one.
I have new [obviously used!] Belnea monitor, which I rescued at the same time. 15 inch and really good. Much better than my miniscule Targa, which it has replaced. Even with the brightness turned quite low it is very clear to read. No more squinting at daft posts or much nicer emails!
I will post what the outputs are on the Toshiba a bit later. I think it is quite well appointed, at least at the more budget end of things. I enjoy DVD films, though sound is not an issue with them for me. Mostly monochrome old British films, the best sound I have on any is the beautiful restoration of My Fair Lady! I have about sixty DVDs.
George
I have new [obviously used!] Belnea monitor, which I rescued at the same time. 15 inch and really good. Much better than my miniscule Targa, which it has replaced. Even with the brightness turned quite low it is very clear to read. No more squinting at daft posts or much nicer emails!
I will post what the outputs are on the Toshiba a bit later. I think it is quite well appointed, at least at the more budget end of things. I enjoy DVD films, though sound is not an issue with them for me. Mostly monochrome old British films, the best sound I have on any is the beautiful restoration of My Fair Lady! I have about sixty DVDs.
George
Posted on: 28 January 2008 by u5227470736789439
Outputs on the Toshiba SD-2109E DVD video player:
Yellow coloured RCA maked Video
DIN socket marked "S"
Scart marked "AV"
Audio outputs are either conventional two channel RCA sockets, or Bitstream/PCM through a single RCA socket.
The input on the [CRT] Belnea is standard, as seen on countless PC monitors ...
If there were a way of feeding the Toshiba straight to the Belnea, obvioulsy this would be preferable.
Sorry to ask such a silly question. I do not know if this is even possible.
Thanks, anyway from George
Yellow coloured RCA maked Video
DIN socket marked "S"
Scart marked "AV"
Audio outputs are either conventional two channel RCA sockets, or Bitstream/PCM through a single RCA socket.
The input on the [CRT] Belnea is standard, as seen on countless PC monitors ...
If there were a way of feeding the Toshiba straight to the Belnea, obvioulsy this would be preferable.
Sorry to ask such a silly question. I do not know if this is even possible.
Thanks, anyway from George
Posted on: 29 January 2008 by garyi
Not being funny but why not buy an external DVD drive for the computer?
Problem solved and probably cheaper than an adaptor to use the DVD player.
George, I had not idea you were This skint.
Problem solved and probably cheaper than an adaptor to use the DVD player.
George, I had not idea you were This skint.
Posted on: 29 January 2008 by u5227470736789439
Dear Gary,
This skint, yes, and been so for several years. Just starting a new job on Friday, having been layed off on the 14th of Decemmber for the second time this year. I have 39 pence in the bank, and a few notes in my wallet! [No debts though].
I actually have completely fallen through the net viz-a-viz housing assistance etc! Single male with no dependants ... Let me just say that if you have not been there you cannot imagine the hell of it ...
My PC is not actually mine but was a good friend's first one, originally fitted with Windoze 95, and it is very good. 8.9 Gig total Hard Drive, 56 Ram, Pentium II and stable as hell, even with legit XP and Office 2000 on it. But I have only 440 Meg of spare space on the "C" partition in the Hard Drive! But I am lucky to live in a shared house with Broadband!
The computer I am told is not up to having an IDE DVD drive fitted, and I am not keen to try as I don't want to upset it. If it breaks there is no possibility of replacing it.
It was only an idea, so it is a case of waiting till I can afford an "el-cheapo" TV Monitor for the DVD player. I definately do not want TV receiving equipement which will land me the annual bill for a TV Licence!
It is a shame that the Monitor could not be driven direct off the player video out, but I do realise that a PC monitor is actually a different beast to a TV CRT.
Whatever happens I am not parting with my music on CDs, or my antique music replay set [in profile] and no one can call that excessive even for the proverbial poor church mouse!
Thanks for your thoughts. George
This skint, yes, and been so for several years. Just starting a new job on Friday, having been layed off on the 14th of Decemmber for the second time this year. I have 39 pence in the bank, and a few notes in my wallet! [No debts though].
I actually have completely fallen through the net viz-a-viz housing assistance etc! Single male with no dependants ... Let me just say that if you have not been there you cannot imagine the hell of it ...
My PC is not actually mine but was a good friend's first one, originally fitted with Windoze 95, and it is very good. 8.9 Gig total Hard Drive, 56 Ram, Pentium II and stable as hell, even with legit XP and Office 2000 on it. But I have only 440 Meg of spare space on the "C" partition in the Hard Drive! But I am lucky to live in a shared house with Broadband!
The computer I am told is not up to having an IDE DVD drive fitted, and I am not keen to try as I don't want to upset it. If it breaks there is no possibility of replacing it.
It was only an idea, so it is a case of waiting till I can afford an "el-cheapo" TV Monitor for the DVD player. I definately do not want TV receiving equipement which will land me the annual bill for a TV Licence!
It is a shame that the Monitor could not be driven direct off the player video out, but I do realise that a PC monitor is actually a different beast to a TV CRT.
Whatever happens I am not parting with my music on CDs, or my antique music replay set [in profile] and no one can call that excessive even for the proverbial poor church mouse!
Thanks for your thoughts. George
Posted on: 31 January 2008 by ightenhill
cheaper to stick the cheapest dvd drive you can fnd in the pc, independent pc repair shops or pc shops on the markets sometimes have second hand ones for little cash..
Posted on: 31 January 2008 by Geoff P
George I gather you are running Windows XP so you could get a USB 2 card for your desktop pretty cheaply and pick up an external USB2 DVD drive which would get your audio aswell as video into Windows and tyoically comes with a basic DVD player program which might be better than Windows media player.quote:The computer I am told is not up to having an IDE DVD drive fitted, and I am not keen to try as I don't want to upset it. If it breaks there is no possibility of replacing it.
USB 2 adaptor cards look to be around 30 GBP, cheap DVD dive also for about 30 GBP. Just search for these on Google UK.
Only thing I am not sure is whether you have enough speed to playback DVD's without stuttering. Probably a Pentium II will just about do it but you don't have much DRAM memory by the sound of it. Talk to your friendly neighborhood PC shop.
regards
Geoff
Posted on: 31 January 2008 by u5227470736789439
Dear Geoff,
This was my mate's view. Chris, who is the computer's owner! That the Pentium II is not up to handling the pictures without shake.
One day I will build up a better PC from scratch, not least with very big mirrored Hard Drives, and store all my recordings uncompressed ready for the days to come of servers, and something less fine in the meantime!
Most computers actually don't run 100% smooth with pictures actually, but mine is comical even running it via the LAN from another computer on film! It is unwatchable actually!
George
This was my mate's view. Chris, who is the computer's owner! That the Pentium II is not up to handling the pictures without shake.
One day I will build up a better PC from scratch, not least with very big mirrored Hard Drives, and store all my recordings uncompressed ready for the days to come of servers, and something less fine in the meantime!
Most computers actually don't run 100% smooth with pictures actually, but mine is comical even running it via the LAN from another computer on film! It is unwatchable actually!
George