Better TV recording software - any ideas?

[ulillillia]

I use GameBridge TV model 1410 and I don't really like the software it comes with that much as it's not all that flexible in functionality. I tried using Virtual Dub and Virtual Dub Mod to attempt to test record something from my games, but all I get is a black screen without any audio. What free/open source programs are there that I could use that offers the versatility that Virtual Dub has, or, at least what I need? What I need is this (in no particular order from 1 to 5 for importance - 1 being of highest importance):

1. It should let me choose what codec to use. XviD is what I would like to use. Importance: 1
2. It should let me choose the file format. I use AVI. Importance: 2
3. It should play the video without jerking (as the software GameBridge comes with does (where it stops and goes very rapidly)). Importance: 2
4. It should be able to resize the video in realtime to a size I want (usually something around 480x320 from 720x480). Importance: 3
5. It should be able to crop the video in realtime using exact pixel amounts specified (as Virtual Dub does). Importance: 4
6. It must be free without any trial-related limitations (typical of open source programs). Importance: 1
7. It must work with GameBridge, which uses MPEG-2 video (probably the reason Virtual Dub doesn't work - it won't open MPEG-2 streams, though VDM can open them, I still don't get a usable picture). This, of course, is likely something I'll need to test myself since I doubt you have GameBridge. Importance: 1
8. It must work with Windows XP Pro SP2 without the need of having to download extra software (such as the case for the font-creation thing where I needed cygwin, very confusing to use and install).
9. It must record at above normal priority without a one-minute delay in starting. At normal priority, the motion gets very jerky when other programs like virus scanners are running updates, but at above normal thread priority, this never happens, but in order to record, I have to wait 1 minute before anything comes up, a bug with the software. At normal priority, it's only about 2 seconds for the delay, which is perfectly acceptable. Importance: 3
10. What would be nice is a feature to record a stereo sound where the original stereo sound (which has two exactly identical waveforms, or so close that one can't tell a difference) is blended into one of the channels, and the other channel being toward what is recorded through the microphone. This would make video tutorials of my games, video reviews, and other things much easier and faster. Importance: 4

I looked into DScaler, but the warning that shows up mentioning of a lot of crashes, freezes, BSoD's and other things makes it not worth it. Plus, GameBridge is not even on the supported hardware list. So, do you have any other suggestions.

[P$ycHo™]

im sure some spammer will give u what u need

[gaekwad2]

Doesn't the GameBridge use a hardware encoder? In that case you should save the videos in highest MPEG-2 quality and convert to Xvid later.

If VDM can't open the saved videos try Avisynth.

[ulillillia]

I don't know if GameBridge uses a hardware encoder or not. VDM can open MPEG-2 videos, it's the only way I can process them and convert them to AVI for YouTube. However, I don't get a picture when using either VD or VDM. I want to record videos with the given specs, but I need a program that works with GameBridge and has a lot more flexibility than the software GB comes with which is extremely limited.