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General discussion

Record computer output to tape

by Doug Myers Jul 18, 2009 6:02AM PDT

Aluminum Intel iMac... with a mini DVI output port.

What I want to do is record output of the computer (specifically, a game during play). My record device is a high-end mini DV video camera that has a VCR function and is loaded with input/output ports including firewire and S-video.

(I've recodred successfully and easily the output of an X-Box during gameplay).

I purchased a mini DVI-to-video adaptor and using S-video cable to connect from adaptor to the camera.

I AM able to get a signal into the camera... but its a seemingly random still frame of the desktop. When I navigate to other folders (and specifically, launch and play the game I wish to record)... the output from the mini DVI into the camera does not change... continues to be same still frame.

If anyone has experience with this, I would be very appreciative of any and all help... thanks.

Discussion is locked

2 Posts

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No experience, but,

by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Jul 18, 2009 8:23AM PDT

just a thought.

The new Intel iMac is capable of supporting a second monitor either as a mirror or as an extended desktop.

You might want to check your monitor preference pane and see which you are using. Ideally you should be using mirrored.

Worth a try

P

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This is definitely mirroring

by tkessler Jul 19, 2009 7:40AM PDT

The S-video connection is being used as an extended desktop, which will not immediately show what's on your Mac's screen. To test this, turn on your camera as you currently have it set up, and drag a window off of your screen to all sides. It should show up on the Camera's output for one of the sides. To change the output so the camera sees your whole desktop, you will need to enable mirroring; however, you will not be able to do this at the full resolution of your display. To mirror, you will need to reduce your display's resolution to match that of the S-video connection, which I believe will max out at 1024x768, though it may be less, and it will only be a 4:3 aspect ratio.

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