Is the HDMI port on the Aspire TC-780-ACKI5 for output only?

BigBlue124
BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
edited March 1 in 2019 Archives

I have an Aspire TC-780-ACKI5. 

I was trying to play some Hi-8 videos from an old camcorder, through the HDMI port to view/record.  It wasn't working.  I considered that maybe the HDMI port was for output only.  I have an older monitor that doesn't have HDMI and is connected to the computer through a non-HDMI cable.

The next questions/posts/searches will be for the best way to view/record.  The camcorder has an old 3mm video out jack.  I picked up a 3mm to 3 RCA cable, and an RCA to HDMI converter.  It does play onto TVs with HDMI inputs.  

Thank you for the help.







Best Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Yes, the HDMI port is only output, not input. What you likely need is a video capture card. There are lots and lots of choices though many of them are liable to be expensive enough that it'll be more cost effective to just have a service transfer them for you.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    I was referring to the one described as "HDMI Game Video Capture Card, USB 3.0 Capture Device, 1080P 60fps Video & Audio Grabber, Broadcast Live and Record for Xbox One PS4 Wii U Nintendo Switch Consoles DSLR Camcorder etc" for $80ish. The last one you linked is not HDMI, only S-Video and Composite NTSC.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    I thought your CAMcorder had HDMI output, not NTSC composite... The $26 one can't do HDMI.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    edited July 2019 Answer ✓
    Then the $26 one is likely going to work. The adapter you picked up likely has NTSC composite (yellow jack) and left & right audio (white and red jacks) on the three RCA jacks. You will plug the NTSC into the capture device and end up with something close to 480x440 interlaced.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Yes, the HDMI port is only output, not input. What you likely need is a video capture card. There are lots and lots of choices though many of them are liable to be expensive enough that it'll be more cost effective to just have a service transfer them for you.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • BigBlue124
    BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    Thank you for the reply.  I hadn't considered the video capture part.  I'll look into options more later.


    i did find this on a lifewire list.  I'll read more tomorrow.
    Hauppauge Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal 1080p HD-PVR  on Amazon.  Looks like I can use it for HDMI input and skip another converter. 

    https://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-Colossus-Express-Internal-HD-PVR/dp/B00WMJMDG6/?tag=aboutcom02lifewire-20

    $135 is less than our expected cost... but I don't know that I'll use it for much more.  I do have my main cable box next to the computer (all in one Altice) and in theory could run an HDMI and watch/record from there too.

    I also have some gamer pals, who may already have video capture on their devices.  For the cost of a cigar and decent bottle of bourbon, I think an afternoon this summer could also get the job done :)

    FYI, there are about 8 tapes, and I think the local Walgreens will do it for $25-35 per tape, so i'm ahead of the game money wise even at another  $135
  • BigBlue124
    BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    What about a product like this?

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HK5NTL8/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

    HDMI Game Video Capture Card, USB 3.0 Capture Device, 1080P 60fps Video & Audio Grabber, Broadcast Live and Record for Xbox One PS4 Wii U Nintendo Switch Consoles DSLR Camcorder etc.

    Under $80 on Amazon
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    That one looks like it should do it. If you find it's stuttering when capturing try removing all other USB 3.0 devices so the bandwidth is no longer shared. You likely won't see that as an issue since it sounds like you'll be capturing NTSC from the camcorder and that's a much lower resolution than the 1080P it supports.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • BigBlue124
    BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    billsey said:
    That one looks like it should do it. If you find it's stuttering when capturing try removing all other USB 3.0 devices so the bandwidth is no longer shared. You likely won't see that as an issue since it sounds like you'll be capturing NTSC from the camcorder and that's a much lower resolution than the 1080P it supports.

    Thank you.  Can you tell me if you were referring to the first one (internal card $135), the second one (external device $800, or both?



  • BigBlue124
    BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    This looks less expensive and maybe is good enough for the video I'm capturing?

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008F0SARC/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&smid=APKKUUOXR4IU2&th=1


    August VGB100 - External USB Video Capture Card - S Video / Composite to USB Transfer Cable - Grabber Lead for Windows 10 / 8 / 7 / Vista / 

    Only $26
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    I was referring to the one described as "HDMI Game Video Capture Card, USB 3.0 Capture Device, 1080P 60fps Video & Audio Grabber, Broadcast Live and Record for Xbox One PS4 Wii U Nintendo Switch Consoles DSLR Camcorder etc" for $80ish. The last one you linked is not HDMI, only S-Video and Composite NTSC.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • BigBlue124
    BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    Thanks again.  I was hoping the $80 version would work.
    The $26 one should go through the USB and in theory I could return the one that becomes HDMI and simply use the USB port on the computer?
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    I thought your CAMcorder had HDMI output, not NTSC composite... The $26 one can't do HDMI.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • BigBlue124
    BigBlue124 Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
    billsey said:
    I thought your CAMcorder had HDMI output, not NTSC composite... The $26 one can't do HDMI.

    No, the Camcorder is very old, belonged to my Father-in-law and has a 3.5mm jack for A/V output.  I picked up a 3.5 mm to 3 RCA cable, and an RCA to HDMI converter.   If I go the USB route, then I can return the RCA to HDMI converter.  Not like it's got high quality video....
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,013 Trailblazer
    edited July 2019 Answer ✓
    Then the $26 one is likely going to work. The adapter you picked up likely has NTSC composite (yellow jack) and left & right audio (white and red jacks) on the three RCA jacks. You will plug the NTSC into the capture device and end up with something close to 480x440 interlaced.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

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