TiVo Community Forums Archives - please suggest a solution!

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please suggest a solution!
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Posted by: jonnyboy

Hi

I am looking for a solution that will enable me to record the video output of a pc (basically want to record screen activity) into a video file. I have seen the techsmith capture program but wanted to find a solution that was more automatic and could be set up to record on a schedule.

I am looking to record the whole days activity i.e. save mondays recording to a file, tuesdays to a file etc. I would like to have the files avaliable for say a few days after they were recorded before being deleted.

I thought about using WinTvpvr in a seperate pc which was fed from the pc that had the info i want recording, although I dont know how flexible that system is.

Cost is not really an issue (within reason)

I know this is not strictly tivo related but I do own a TiVo :) and thought some of you tefal heads might know lol.

Posted by: iankb

If you want the recordings to be at the original resolution of the PC, the files are going to be extremely large.

You could always use a video card that allows for multiple monitors, one of which can be a TV. If you can persuade the drivers to mirror the same desktop on both monitors, you could then use a TiVo to record the files, using the TV output of the video card, maybe through a video converter.

Posted by: jonnyboy

Thanks for the reply.

I had thought of using a Tivo but this could be problematic because this is for work not home and as such dont have a tivo. Also I cant quite remember how tivo works without guide data (there probably wont be a phone line avaliable) and Tivo is not readily avaliable at the moment.

Any more Ideas?

Jon

Posted by: iankb

Try replacing the TiVo with the type of long-play VCR's used by security cameras. But the resolution is likely to be very poor.

Depending on the software you are using, you might be able to take an alternative approach of using one of the bulk testing programs that are capable of recording keystrokes and/or mouse input as scripts that can then be played back as virtual users.

It depends on what level of proof you will need if you are trying to record the screen for audit purposes.

Posted by: irrelevant

Most CCTV long play VCRs are time-lapse, snapping only the ocasional frame, which is why you see people moving about jerkilly in videos on Crimewatch. This might be a problem, or might not. Having said that, quality isn't generally too bad, although you get what you pay for. Stick an old ATI video card in with a built-in TV-Out and you'll be all set.

remember that trying to record anything on any video style device is going to be a problem if your resolution is any more than 800x600. (640x480 for them 525line americans)

Alernative aproach is to use a screen capture utility that will log to a file. I'm not sure if something like pcAnywhere will do this too. Log to a file on a network share, on another PC, for best security.

It all depends WHY you want to do this as to which is the best solution. If it's to monitor how a PC is bsing used for some legal reason, then using a CCTV recorded onto tape is going to be less open to dispute, even if it's harder to see, wheras a digital log of screen activity will allow you to play back a sequence, but might be "editable"... . you might want to use both.

Posted by: jonnyboy

Hi

The reason for wanting to record the screen isnt for any sinister reason - basicaly the screen to be recorded is a SCADA system overview which is a graphical representation of what is happening on e.g a factory production line where any machine problems will be indicated by flashing colours etc.

I was just looking for some ideas.

Thanks

Posted by: Robert S

Set the monitor to 100Hz and point a camera at it?

Posted by: pgogborn

Buy a graphics card that supports multiple displays.

One of the displays supported should be tv or buy a vga to tv converter.

Attach the tv output to a recorder of your choice - VHS, Super-VHS, TiVo etc. Use the recorders timer. TiVo is best if you want to control deletion of old video etc. No need for a phone-line or epg. TiVos on ebay for about Ł200 - Ł250.

See for example >
http://www.matrox.com/mga/multidisp...oduct_chart.cfm
http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/mo...5258&Products=1

Posted by: cwaring

I know ads aren't allowed, so I shall just say that I have an ATI Radeon 7000-based cards that has dual-display capabilities if someone would like to PM me an offer :)

[Edit by Moderator GarySargent: Carl isn't it bad enough we have an offtopic thread without you adding adverts?! :p ]

Posted by: Fatbloke

As a software alternative, you could try Windows Media Encoder and run that on the machine in question.

It can capture screen sessions into wmf file. However, you definitely notice a slow down when capturing 1280x1024 screens (even in high quality) and the test run I just did captured 1056K of data in just 1 minute's worth of capture :eek:

Quality is not exact, some images are blurry, but text is definitely readable. And it's free :)

Posted by: GarySargent

Programmes like PcAnywhere transmit the whole desktop screen via the network to another PC, allowing remote control. Its only a small extra step to record the network traffic and allow playback (and the files should be much smaller than video).

I'd be surprised if there aren't applications around that do this.

Wouldn't you be better off getting the software running on the PC changed so it sets of SNMP traps or something when alerts go off which can be logged remotely, rather than doing this crazy video thing?

Posted by: cwaring

quote:
Originally posted by cwaring
[Edit by Moderator GarySargent: Carl isn't it bad enough we have an offtopic thread without you adding adverts?! :p ]

Well, I only said I had one for sale. I knew giving specifics was a definate no-no and I *did* say PM:)

Posted by: manolan

Have you looked at Lotus ScreenCam Recorder? Seems to be available from IBM's website for 86 USD a pop.

Or ViewletCam from Qarbon?