Game Capture, What to Buy?

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locoman88

locoman88

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locoman88
I have been doing research for which game capture to buy, and I've come to the conclusion that the Elgato Game Capture is the best buy. But, I just wanted to ask for your opinions from experience and/or research. So, what do you think is the best buy?
 
Laptop or Desktop?

If Desktop, do you have an available PCI-E X1 slot?
 
PCIe x1 is a expansion slot on motherboards.

If you are using a laptop the Hauppauge HD-PVR.
If you are using a desktop the Hauppauge Colossus.
These are the best bets.
 
Grayfox
PCIe x1 is a expansion slot on motherboards.

If you are using a laptop the Hauppauge HD-PVR.
If you are using a desktop the Hauppauge Colossus.
These are the best bets.
Click to expand...

Okay, I will do research on those. Thanks!
 
I recommend the Hauppauge HD PVR2 Gaming Edition, I just bought one from B&H Video for $145.

IMG_268033.jpg

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IMG_268031.jpg
 
I have the first Hauppauge HD PVR which works on Component cables.
I see it only has a HDMI in and out now. My question related to that is I always heard PS3 has encrypted HDMI so it can't be used for game capture. Is that something from the past with this HD PVR 2 Game Edition?

EDIT:
Nevermind, came across this pic and seems for PS3 you still need to go 1080i through Component. :/

hdpvr2gamingedition_connections.jpg
 
HDCP is indeed annoying but if you can at least view the feed, you could always use FRAPS to record.

I'm not sure if this is possible with Hauppauge products but I know it's possible with Avermedia ones.
 
Unfortunately here I'm stuck with laptop capture cards as I only have a laptop (Acer Aspire 7750G 17.3" i7 6Gb DDR3).
Heard some good reviews on the Avermedia's though.
 
They're neat products to say the least. :lol: . There is no way for you to at least be able to view the input from your HD PVR?
 
Don't know if I understand that question a 100%.

Attempt for an answer; I'm long used to playing through the HD PVR in 1080i.
Also, I only render all my vids at 720p, takes less time and is more than good enough for Youtube. So for me, there's no actual need to have 1080p.
 
Speedy6543
Don't know if I understand that question a 100%.
Click to expand...

Yeah sorry, it's hard for me to word that question properly :lol: .

Attempt for an answer; I'm long used to playing through the HD PVR in 1080i.
Also, I only render all my vids at 720p, takes less time and is more than good enough for Youtube. So for me, there's no actual need to have 1080p.
Click to expand...

Not really an answer to the question but don't worry about it :lol: . As far as what you said, it's a smart move because I believe most console games run natively at 720p and are upscaled to 1080p when it applies.


Oh and locoman, sorry for hijacking your thread :(
 
dice1998
Yeah sorry, it's hard for me to word that question properly :lol: .



Not really an answer to the question but don't worry about it :lol: . As far as what you said, it's a smart move because I believe most console games run natively at 720p and are upscaled to 1080p when it applies.


Oh and locoman, sorry for hijacking your thread :(
Click to expand...
It's okay, I got a lot of information out of it! :sly:
Speedy6543
I have the first Hauppauge HD PVR which works on Component cables.
I see it only has a HDMI in and out now. My question related to that is I always heard PS3 has encrypted HDMI so it can't be used for game capture. Is that something from the past with this HD PVR 2 Game Edition?

EDIT:
Nevermind, came across this pic and seems for PS3 you still need to go 1080i through Component. :/

hdpvr2gamingedition_connections.jpg
Click to expand...

Yeah, PS3 is a pain when it comes to that. But, is there any way you can get it full 1080p? Or does it have to be 1080i?
 
Speedy6543
I'm afraid we are all stuck with 1080i...
Click to expand...

Well, poop. I've always wanted to record full 1080p... Oh well, I have looked for differences, and although 1080p looks marvelous, I'm sure Youtubers can settle for 720p when you're playing Farcry3 or Starhawk?
 
Since I'm looking into getting the Hauppauge HD PVR 2 soon, does 1080i recording mean I can still render it in 1080p, and will it look better (clearer, less blurred) than just rendering it in native 720p?

Asking this mainly because I do see a problem with 720p videos on some games (like NFS) that use micro fonts, sure it's the game's fault but it's sometimes annoying if you can't even read what some texts say. Would probably have to use the PC versions of those games.
 
I always render at 720p which I believe is more than enough. Have a look at this vid at about 20sec.

3 replays are put next to eachother and you can still read the numbers on the speedometers, full screen of course.

Make sure you are set at 720p while watching. ;)
 
Can anyone recommend me a capture device for PS2 specifically? The best I can use for that system is component. I also plan to use it for my Dreamcast that will have a VGA box and VGA to component converter setup. Seems like the first HD PVR is the best candidate for me, but wondering if there are other options.

Edit: Does the HD PVR2 come with a component to HDMI cable?

Edit 2: Nevermind, looked at the pic and it looks like you can hook up a PS2 using a component cable.
 
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I have the HD PVR 2. Brilliant piece of kit.

Before this I had a BlackMagic Intensity Pro. This was also great, but it produced very large file sizes and occasionally made my PC bluescreen. Which is why I swapped to the PVR.
 
Speedy6543
I have the first Hauppauge HD PVR which works on Component cables.
I see it only has a HDMI in and out now. My question related to that is I always heard PS3 has encrypted HDMI so it can't be used for game capture. Is that something from the past with this HD PVR 2 Game Edition?

EDIT:
Nevermind, came across this pic and seems for PS3 you still need to go 1080i through Component. :/

hdpvr2gamingedition_connections.jpg
Click to expand...

Question, does your component cable include audio? I have a Monster Cable component cable and its video only, I have to hook up audio via a separate optical cable to my HD PVR.

That PVR 2 doesn't have an optical port by the looks of it...
 
I've looked up the Monster Component Cable and I guess, to what you're saying, you have this kind of Component cable then.

41SoNO9qGIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


If so, you can see the cable only has 3 imputs for the HD PVR whereas the Sony (or any other Component Cable) have 5, 3 for image and 2 for stereo audio.

0071171980440_500X500.jpg


I'm afraid you bought the wrong cable.
 

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