A universal serial bus (USB) dongle device includes a USB interface for receiving a video signal in a first format and for sending a processed video signal in a second format wherein the first format differs from the second format. An encoding module generates the processed video signal based on the video signal. In a further embodiment, A video card includes a video receiver for receiving a video signal in a first format, based on a selection command. An encoding module generates a processed video signal in a second format based on the video signal, wherein the first format differs from the second format. A USB interface transfers the processed video signal to the host device, receives the selection command from the host device and receives a power signal from the host device to power the video receiver and the encoding module.