Video S Cable

**Tommy J** · 21st August 2006

Hi guys n' Girls,

Sorry, I'm not sure where to post this thread.

My father-in-law has an old camcorder which he would like to get the footage from tape to CD/DVD.
I suggested that it might be possible to connect the camcorder to my laptop via the video S socket on the back of the PC. Does anyone know if this is possible and what software I would need?

Many thanks,

**DJAd** · 21st August 2006

Yeah if the laptop has a S-Video input you should be able to rip the media into the PC and edit it up.

I know movie maker can import video and its free & built into windows (xp) so thats a good first stop.

If you want to do a bit more advanced stuff they try Adobe Premiere or something. I'm sure somebody on here will know of better software for video editing. I think the newer Nero versions also deal with various video formats to.

Hope that helps

**Tommy J** · 21st August 2006

Excellent, I thought I'd ask before I start plugging stuff into the back and blowing it up or something similar.

Cheers AJAD.

**blacksheep** · 21st August 2006

more than likely the s video connection on the laptop is an output. Your going to have to get a video capture card, they're fairly cheap.

**whatnow** · 21st August 2006

no standard video cards have VIVO (video in video out) so you'll be forced with two choices, and one of which is a better one.

go to a video shop and pay for the transfer, they use the best equipment and charge around �15 or so for a DVD (search online, you'll probably get it for cheaper maybe).

check if you have / buy a video in graphics card and be prepared for some distortion on the already distorted old video. This may be a part of a pc but as you say it's a laptop you'll have to have a pretty decent spec lappy to cater for this. It's by no means standard to have video in.

**barne77** · 21st August 2006

make sure the laptop in video in as most have 1 which is video out so that you can display your screen on your tv

**Tommy J** · 22nd August 2006

Thanks All.

I have a PC too but I'm not sure if that has a video S cable.

I think I may have to but the card as they want �20 to transfer the footage to DVD around here.

Thanks Again,

**aandrew73** · 22nd August 2006

Originally Posted by Tommy J

Hi guys n' Girls,

Sorry, I'm not sure where to post this thread.

My father-in-law has an old camcorder which he would like to get the footage from tape to CD/DVD.
I suggested that it might be possible to connect the camcorder to my laptop via the video S socket on the back of the PC. Does anyone know if this is possible and what software I would need?

Many thanks,

Yeah most S-Vidoe socket on laptop is for output only. How about via DV connection, most laptop has DV connection but not too sure about your old camcorder. My 7 year old camcorder has got one. It is so easy and fast