How to Connect a DVD Player to a Computer

Video Preview

Introduction

If you have a DVD player to watch movies and a video capture card on your computer, you should be able to connect the two and watch movies on your computer. You might have to resolve complicated hardware and software issues to be able to watch movies on your monitor, though.

By: eHow Computers Editor

Length: 1:53

Comments: 1

View more articles by this author

Flag | RSS

Instructions

Text Size: +
Difficulty: Challenging

Tips & Warnings:

  • Buy a DVD-ROM drive that comes with a decoder card to save money and have a high likelihood of being able to watch movies, unless your computer already has all the necessary hardware and software to connect and run a DVD player. Consumer video-capture cards cost between $200 and $1,000.
  • Hardware MPEG decoders are far superior to software MPEG decoders. You may also need to be able to decode Dolby Digital audio.
  • For software MPEG decoding, you'll need at least a 350-MHz Pentium II or a G4 Macintosh. For hardware MPEG decoding, you'll need at least a 133-MHz Pentium or a G3 Macintosh.
  • Your computer must support Macrovision to play copy-protected DVDs.
  • Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of any card or other hardware you buy.
  • CD and DVD content is copyrighted material and illegal to share with others without permission of the copyright holder.
Step1
If you don't already have one, buy a video capture card with a built-in MPEG-2 DVD decoder and motion compensation. Look for a card with S-video or better video inputs. Match the best outputs on your DVD player.
Step2
Find a video card with audio inputs if possible. Otherwise, buy a sound card with stereo input jacks (not standard).
Step3
Consider external video-capture devices such as the Iomega Buz, which includes a SCSI card, composite and S-video in and out jacks, stereo audio in and out jacks, and full-screen playback.
Step4
Install the necessary hardware and software for the video capture device you chose.
Step5
Plug the DVD player into an outlet near your computer, but keep it as far away as possible to eliminate any chance of feedback on your monitor.
Step6
Connect cables to the left and right (color-coded red) audio RCA jacks on the back of the DVD player. Connect the other ends of the cables to line-in jacks on your sound card or external video-capture device.
Step7
Connect the DVD player to your video capture card or external device using the best technology common to both: progressive-scan component video, interlaced component video, S-video or composite video.

Comments

| View All Comments

said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 There is a device, X10 makes one, that lets you broadcast the DVD signal from your computer to you TV. This is much easier than all the fuss with the wires, and it's safer too. No wires to trip over.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Video Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Connect a DVD Player to a Computer

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads