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[grap3fruitman]

Okay gang, I've been wanting a capture device for a while now; for what reason, I have no idea since I barely play anything.

Anyway, while I would love a Blackmagic, it just seems like an incredible ordeal to engage in. Does the USB version work with either computer I have? Nope, need a new USB3 card and then I'm limited to a single desktop. I need a RAID setup with really fast HDDs too? I'm look at $300-400 before I even consider the cost of the Blackmagic itself plus a lot of additional hassle including dealing with such high quality video.

So now I'm kind of leaning towards the Elgato. Sure, the quality isn't nearly as great but I think I'm willing to deal with it for the convenience. I do have a few questions though:

1. I know it has a "pass-through" but I'm still concerned that it may add some delay. My intention is to use this for fighting games and shooters so milliseconds are important. Is there any added delay?
2. The lowest resolution supported appears to be 576p. Has anyone tried anything that's 480p like the Wii, Xbox 1 or even the current consoles outputting at 480p?
3. I'd also like to potentially record SD content like some of my old-school games. Is that possible as well?

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Anyway, while I would love a Blackmagic, it just seems like an incredible ordeal to engage in. Does the USB version work with either computer I have? Nope, need a new USB3 card and then I'm limited to a single desktop. I need a RAID setup with really fast HDDs too? I'm look at $300-400 before I even consider the cost of the Blackmagic itself plus a lot of additional hassle including dealing with such high quality video.

There are PCI-e cards by Blackmagic and other companies that might suit you if you're looking for a desktop solution.

An external HDD array is only necessary if you're looking to record uncompressed footage. It isn't needed for any competent H.264 solution. Even if the device you're using feeds raw, uncompressed footage to your PC, you can compress it on the fly with a number of video editing/streaming programs.

I can't answer any questions specific to the Elgato, but in my experience the pass-through performance on the Intensity Shuttle is very good. I haven't done any exact measurements, and I'm wary enough to not rely on it for tournament streaming until somebody does perform a thorough lag test, but for casual sessions at home it performs very well and I can't feel a delay. I recently played through a session of NSMBU with the pass-through (720p HDMI in, 720p HDMI out) to an Asus monitor and it went very well. If you do use pass-through, I would advise you to set the output to the same resolution, framerate, and connection type (HDMI, component, whatever) as the input to avoid possible cross-conversion lag, and to set it as close to your display's native resolution as possible.

As far as resolution goes, I would expect most HD devices to be able to comfortably handle anything as low as 480p, but I've heard anything lower than that can get dicey.

 

[gingerbeardman]

Any feedback on the AverMedia Game Capture HD?

I'm considering it as I can use it to capture away from my computer.

But I have concerns about the firmware stability and software compatibility issues.

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks

 

[Kyoufu]

Okay gang, I've been wanting a capture device for a while now; for what reason, I have no idea since I barely play anything.

Anyway, while I would love a Blackmagic, it just seems like an incredible ordeal to engage in. Does the USB version work with either computer I have? Nope, need a new USB3 card and then I'm limited to a single desktop. I need a RAID setup with really fast HDDs too? I'm look at $300-400 before I even consider the cost of the Blackmagic itself plus a lot of additional hassle including dealing with such high quality video.

So now I'm kind of leaning towards the Elgato. Sure, the quality isn't nearly as great but I think I'm willing to deal with it for the convenience. I do have a few questions though:

1. I know it has a "pass-through" but I'm still concerned that it may add some delay. My intention is to use this for fighting games and shooters so milliseconds are important. Is there any added delay?
2. The lowest resolution supported appears to be 576p. Has anyone tried anything that's 480p like the Wii, Xbox 1 or even the current consoles outputting at 480p?
3. I'd also like to potentially record SD content like some of my old-school games. Is that possible as well?

1. No delay with the pass-through.
2. Supports 480p.
3. Supports SD consoles. Your Mega Drive/SNES/Whatever will work.

 

[ChosenPredator]

glad this pop up

quick question for you guys who know

what device do people who record footage off of 3DS or Vita use?


(I'd go with elgato HD since the new software update that came out that allows you to stream right on twitch.tv without the need of xsplit)

 

[VE3TRO]

I've been using the Intensity products by Blackmagic for 5 years now and recently moved from the PCI Pro to the Thunderbolt Shuttle. It works great and I now use it with the 9.6.2 update to record HDMI 1080p 60 for both PS3 and 360. I'm currently using it with a Macbook Pro and a 2TB internal HDD since I don't have access to Mac Pro. Can't use uncompressed due to the drive speeds but ProRes is just as good and isn't as demanding in terms of space.

I use a MUX-HD to pull out the HDCP but lately it's been playing up on the HDMI out so I'm looking for another HDCP stripper. Prefer it to be HDMI in and out. I tried component on the PS3 last week and was kinda of shocked how poorly it looked compared to HDMI. For YouTube videos you won't notice much of a difference but screen grabs you would.

 

[TheD]

(I'd go with elgato HD since the new software update that came out that allows you to stream right on twitch.tv without the need of xsplit)

Eww, shit hardware encoding.

Capture card that can do lossless + OBS is the way to go.

 

[grap3fruitman]

Eww, shit hardware encoding.
Capture card that can do lossless + OBS is the way to go.

Okay, find me a solution that's actually good and viable then. All the Blackmagic stuff is out of the question, good luck finding compatible hardware in this day and age and then you'd still need to spend hundreds more on a proper HDD array that was fast enough to keep up. It only does up to 1080p30 anyway.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Okay, find me a solution that's actually good and viable then. All the Blackmagic stuff is out of the question, good luck finding compatible hardware in this day and age and then you'd still need to spend hundreds more on a proper HDD array that was fast enough to keep up. It only does up to 1080p30 anyway.

You don't need a dedicated HDD array unless you want to save uncompressed video.

 

[VE3TRO]

Okay, find me a solution that's actually good and viable then. All the Blackmagic stuff is out of the question, good luck finding compatible hardware in this day and age and then you'd still need to spend hundreds more on a proper HDD array that was fast enough to keep up. It only does up to 1080p30 anyway.

The Blackmagic cards and boxes can run fine with standard HDDs. I'm currently using an external 2TB USB 3.0 HDD and with the ProRes codec it runs perfectly fine. Also if you choose the 9.6.2 firmware it runs upto 1080p60.

 

[goodcow]

You don't need a dedicated HDD array unless you want to save uncompressed video.

Why wouldn't you want to capture this way? I have a three drive WD Black RAID 0 array in my Mac Pro and capture 720p59.97 uncompressed with the Intensity Pro, then use MPEGStreamclip to do a 16000kbps multiple-pass H.264 output.

youtube.com/goodcowgames

 

[Lettuce]

I use a STARTECH PEXHDCAP PCI-E Capture card, http://www.misco.co.uk/Product/194141/Startech-PCI-Express-Video-Capture-Card-for-HDMI and absolute steel at the price, can capture anything from 240p (for retro stuff) up to 1080p.

 

[Bittercup]

Any feedback on the AverMedia Game Capture HD?

I'm considering it as I can use it to capture away from my computer.

But I have concerns about the firmware stability and software compatibility issues.

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks

I have this card and I'm very happy with it
No issues with stability so far and the ability to use my PS3 with it via HDMI is a nice plus.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Why wouldn't you want to capture this way? I have a three drive WD Black RAID 0 array in my Mac Pro and capture 720p59.97 uncompressed with the Intensity Pro, then use MPEGStreamclip to do a 16000kbps multiple-pass H.264 output.

youtube.com/goodcowgames

Well sure, you should do that if you have the hardware needed for it already, but the person I'm responding to seems to be under the impression that it's either that or nothing at all.

 

[OrangeYouGlad]

Anyone have any experience with the Roxio or Elgato and PC gaming? Trying to find out if either of them will capture all audio (source + voice chat).

 

[gingerbeardman]

I have this card and I'm very happy with it
No issues with stability so far and the ability to use my PS3 with it via HDMI is a nice plus.

I thought the AVerMedia Game Capture HD (the external box is the one I am asking about) only had Component in?

 

[grap3fruitman]

Just ordered the Elgato. I'm going for the convenient option instead of the "technically better but bigger pain in the ass" one that I usually go for. I do have a minor question though, I want to get an extra mini-USB cable for the Elgato. What kind should I be looking at? 4, 5, 8 or 14-pin? I can't find any documentation for the thing.

 

[Bittercup]

I thought the AVerMedia Game Capture HD (the external box is the one I am asking about) only had Component in?

I'm sorry, I confused both products (AVerMedia CaptureHD vs Game Capture HD :s)
I have the internal card with HDMI. Can't say anything about the external one.

 

[gingerbeardman]

I eventually went for the AVerMedia game Capture HD C281. I'm really happy with the unit.

PROS
It's a great, convenient device. The internal hard drive (I'm using a 32GB SSD) and remote control are unique features that sold the device to me.

CONS
The picture I would say is 90% quality over component, but it's a sacrifice I am prepared to make whilst recording at 60fps in 720p. Hopefully the next device will either have better component connections with less noise/ghosting, or better HDMI input.

 

[Kyoufu]

Just ordered the Elgato. I'm going for the convenient option instead of the "technically better but bigger pain in the ass" one that I usually go for. I do have a minor question though, I want to get an extra mini-USB cable for the Elgato. What kind should I be looking at? 4, 5, 8 or 14-pin? I can't find any documentation for the thing.

Um, just your average mini USB cable that you use for your other devices work.

I don't know how Elgato can be classed as a pain in the ass though. It's monkey-proof.

 

[Ravensmash]

i'm almost about to buy a Roxio HD ....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008YAPSE6/

How is the streaming capabilities? Is the software easy to use to edit recorded footage and upload to YouTube? I'm a complete beginner but I'd like to get started making my own videos, and this seems like a fairly sturdy option because the video quality looks pretty damn good.

What about picture in picture on Twitch (with a webcam) or narration while streaming? I know the former isn't/wasn't officially supported - but is there an easy workaround? I'm guessing the narration can be done by selecting my laptop mic as an audio in or something ?

 

[Ravensmash]

In fact, what's the easiest way to create a narrated video on pc even? I know I can use OBS for video but what about the narration? And what about putting the Mic audio (laptop Mic atm...) together with the game video and audio?

Edit: sorry, didn't realise I was the last poster in here still

 

[Kyoufu]

Just get an Elgato man. Going cheap on a capture card is the worst thing you can do.

All your questions are answered with the software for it. Streaming, commentary etc are all super easy with it.

 

[Durante]

I've been using the Intensity products by Blackmagic for 5 years now and recently moved from the PCI Pro to the Thunderbolt Shuttle. It works great and I now use it with the 9.6.2 update to record HDMI 1080p 60 for both PS3 and 360.

Wait, are you sure you're using an Intensity to record 1080p60? I thought this was impossible, and the spec sheets for all the intensity products still specify a 30 FPS maximum at 1080p.

 

[GMM]

Personally using a BlackMagic Intensity Pro, it is perfect for the current consoles. When i can record this sharp, i have no need for better equipment unless i can strip DCHP:

 

[Kyoufu]

edit: oops wrong thread sorry.

 

[grap3fruitman]

Um, just your average mini USB cable that you use for your other devices work.

Okay, well there are multiple versions of mini-USB: 4, 5, 8 and 14-pin. Which one's average? Should I add them all up and average the number?

Hmmm... 7.75.

I did buy a set of 5-pin mini-USB cables and they don't work with it. So... still need working cables.

I don't know how Elgato can be classed as a pain in the ass though. It's monkey-proof.

It isn't? The Elgato was the "convenient" item in the sentence: "I'm going for the convenient option instead of the "technically better but bigger pain in the ass" one that I usually go for."

 

[Ravensmash]

Just get an Elgato man. Going cheap on a capture card is the worst thing you can do.

All your questions are answered with the software for it. Streaming, commentary etc are all super easy with it.

The Elgato is above my budget in all honesty - even though it's only 35-40 more than the Roxio HD, I'm looking to get into this as a beginner and don't want to drop £125 on something that I may not use very much.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I've been using a Roxio HD and it's been AWFUL. The software is a piece of shit.

Capture will almost always start glitching after about 7 - 10 minutes of recording. It makes livestreaming near impossible because those "glitches" will just shut down a stream.

Here's an example of what it does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_nuKwsiER0

And it actually gets way worse than that. It has to be the software because using it as a passthrough to the TV does not produce that.

Thinking of just selling it and getting an Elgato.

 

[Ravensmash]

I've been using a Roxio HD and it's been AWFUL. The software is a piece of shit.

Capture will almost always start glitching after about 7 - 10 minutes of recording. It makes livestreaming near impossible because those "glitches" will just shut down a stream.

Here's an example of what it does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_nuKwsiER0

And it actually gets way worse than that. It has to be the software because using it as a passthrough to the TV does not produce that.

Thinking of just selling it and getting an Elgato.

Hmm, that sucks - I haven't heard of this being widespread though. What are you using to connect and stuff?

Edit: I believe the HD has Xsplit support now, so you could always try that or any free software that's out there.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Hmm, that sucks - I haven't heard of this being widespread though. What are you using to connect and stuff?

Edit: I believe the HD has Xsplit support now, so you could always try that or any free software that's out there.

XSplit support for Roxio HD is only for paying members, as far as I know.

I use HDMI for the connect and the passthrough but it doesn't matter as Component has the same issues. I've used fresh cables on everything, still the same issue. The proposed workarounds in their forums do not work.

You could take the risk, but you only have a 14 day warranty and after that it will cost $20 to even ask a question.

 

[metsallica]

Anyone have other recommendations for removing HDCP other than HDFury? I'm trying to capture from things like Android tablets with HDMI, some of which shockingly have HDCP. The HDMI -> DVI -> DVI/HDMI converter -> Elgato -> PC works for video, but doesn't address audio. Unless I just go from the headphone jack, but I think that'll be delayed, which brings a whole new host of issues. Wish this wasn't so pricey and complicated; would be nice.

 

[Borman]

Anyone have other recommendations for removing HDCP other than HDFury? I'm trying to capture from things like Android tablets with HDMI, some of which shockingly have HDCP. The HDMI -> DVI -> DVI/HDMI converter -> Elgato -> PC works for video, but doesn't address audio. Unless I just go from the headphone jack, but I think that'll be delayed, which brings a whole new host of issues. Wish this wasn't so pricey and complicated; would be nice.

I have some monoprice DVI->HDMI converter which strips HDCP. Downside being you need an optical audio cable to get sound out of the HDMI side.

 

[NFreak]

Hmm, that sucks - I haven't heard of this being widespread though. What are you using to connect and stuff?

Edit: I believe the HD has Xsplit support now, so you could always try that or any free software that's out there.

I haven't come across that problem when using my Roxio HD capture unit. I've been very satisfied with the product so far. The recording quality is great in my experience although I do agree the software is not the best but it works fine for beginners for the most part. The software has frozen a couple times on me. Here's an example of the video quality from one of my videos I recorded with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8TPvPQtNbE

 

[metsallica]

I have some monoprice DVI->HDMI converter which strips HDCP. Downside being you need an optical audio cable to get sound out of the HDMI side.

Using the box I linked, right? I just picked up the RCA audio version of it... Fingers crossed.

 

[Ravensmash]

I went for the Elgato in the end, because I'd heard really good things about the software being simple to use.

Waiting for it to arrive (supposedly 'out for delivery') but I'll record some footage and post it in here for others to see.

 

[metsallica]

There's a video of the Elgato working with it too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZaB8LS1Tqw

I'll have to get it then. I think in that video the guy has surround sound working.

Awesome stuff. Ill pass this vid onto my buddy for further reference. Helps to keep a collection of these things.

Good luck with it!

Were you guys able to get this to work as described in the YouTube video? I went with this box: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p..._id=1011405&p_id=8124&seq=1&format=4#feedback (same category on Monoprice, only difference is RCA versus Optical/Coax - or so I thought) and all I get is a blinking green screen. Any ideas? Could the internals actually be different?

I have some monoprice DVI->HDMI converter which strips HDCP. Downside being you need an optical audio cable to get sound out of the HDMI side.

Is this the one you have? http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=5369&seq=1&format=2

 

[Teknoman]

I got the Elgato a few weeks ago. I can't recommend anything else after using it. The software is just one step ahead of anything else atm.

Yeah a few of my friends have been talking about that. Can you use it to record older consoles as well?

 

[metsallica]

Yep, you sure can. Component out of the box, composite / s-video with an accessory Elgato sells through their website.

 

[grap3fruitman]

Yep, you sure can. Component out of the box, composite / s-video with an accessory Elgato sells through their website.

You can do composite through the red cable on the included component cable in the Elgato. Why not the green, I have no idea. It makes it a hassle when you're trying to set up your PS3 by holding the power button down.

 

[Ravensmash]

I'll be honest, I'm slightly disappointed in the Elgato software so far.

Was hoping I'd be able to add text/overlays/audio inside the actual program itself, and being completely new to all of this I'm not sure what the best program to use would be.

Recording quality is fantastic though.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

Pretty sure the pack-in software with any capture device is going to be shit when it comes to production features like that. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Volotaire]

I will get the Live Gamer HD later this month for 360/WiiU and PC footage. Live Gamer HD allows you to record the very PC its built into without slowing it down. Thats pretty awesome. But i do know the Live Gamer HD does not support HDCP yet. Weird enough, other Avermedia devices DO support HDCP like the Game Capture HD. But that one is component only and therefor caps at 1080i30

Just something you might find handy for the Wii U, a youtube show has done some good work in recording, I'll post a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW_yNqNC5-4

Skip to about 7:50

Check more of their Vita/Wii U/3DS videos for some more recording.

 

[Ravensmash]

Pretty sure the pack-in software with any capture device is going to be shit when it comes to production features like that. Correct me if I'm wrong.

No, that's true. Can anyone suggest a good program that's simple to use and preferably free to complement the capture device?

 

[Kyoufu]

No, that's true. Can anyone suggest a good program that's simple to use and preferably free to complement the capture device?

Windows Movie Maker probably.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

No, that's true. Can anyone suggest a good program that's simple to use and preferably free to complement the capture device?

Open Broadcast Software and FFSplit are the first two that come to mind from what I've heard from others, but I haven't used either personally. Well, I did look into FFSplit very briefly a while back but never downloaded it because it didn't have support for capture card input at the time. I think that may have changed by now.

I've been using XSplit since it was still in beta and still free. I went ahead and bought their longest license when they started charging for it because nothing else seemed to be comparable at the time. I wouldn't be surprised if that's changed by now, but I haven't really been looking around for alternatives. XSplit does have a free trial, but I hear it's pretty gimped.

Windows Movie Maker probably.

C'mon, son...

 

[Ravensmash]

Open Broadcast Software and FFSplit are the first two that come to mind from what I've heard from others, but I haven't used either personally. Well, I did look into FFSplit very briefly a while back but never downloaded it because it didn't have support for capture card input at the time. I think that may have changed by now.

I've been using XSplit since it was still in beta and still free. I went ahead and bought their longest license when they started charging for it because nothing else seemed to be comparable at the time. I wouldn't be surprised if that's changed by now, but I haven't really been looking around for alternatives. XSplit does have a free trial, but I hear it's pretty gimped.


C'mon, son...

I have OBS downloaded already, but can't get it working properly when streaming.

The capture device shows up, but it captures the window of the game device software rather than the entire video so I have to wait for it to go full screen and then can't really check on the stream.

I'll fiddle with it though, probably doing something wrong.

 

[jetsetfluken]

2 questions about the Elgato:

1: The HDCP protection with PS3. It's unacceptable at times being forced to use component instead of HDMI, the quality difference is pretty apparent (text bleeding/ghosting and blurriness, overall blurrier image, what seems to be increase in pixel crawling and jaggies, etc).
What exact items do you need to get around this and record HDMI 720p/1080p PS3 footage? I've read a DVI workaround, but what about audio?
Also, is the Elgato lowering framerate with it's compression? And is there a difference between PS3 component and HDMI in terms of framerate in the end result of the file (the "best" quality Elgato can produce)?

2: This might sound far-fetched, but is there any way to use the Elgato to capture video/audio from a mobile phone? I believe I heard in passing that someone recorded iPhone gameplay. If so, is this just compatible with iPhone? What about Android and Windows Phone? And if not the Elgato, what device can record mobile phone gameplay?

Ideally I want to record uncompressed/raw footage, 1:1 with what's on the screen. But it is to my understanding you need to have an above average desktop PC with internal hardware (BlackMagic, etc) equipped to do this, correct? This is why I went for the Elgato, which seems to be the best of the external USB devices.

 

[metsallica]

2 questions about the Elgato:

1: The HDCP protection with PS3. It's unacceptable at times being forced to use component instead of HDMI, the quality difference is pretty apparent (text bleeding/ghosting and blurriness, overall blurrier image, what seems to be increase in pixel crawling and jaggies, etc).
What exact items do you need to get around this and record HDMI 720p/1080p PS3 footage? I've read a DVI workaround, but what about audio?
Also, is the Elgato lowering framerate with it's compression? And is there a difference between PS3 component and HDMI in terms of framerate in the end result of the file (the "best" quality Elgato can produce)?

2: This might sound far-fetched, but is there any way to use the Elgato to capture video/audio from a mobile phone? I believe I heard in passing that someone recorded iPhone gameplay. If so, is this just compatible with iPhone? What about Android and Windows Phone? And if not the Elgato, what device can record mobile phone gameplay?

Ideally I want to record uncompressed/raw footage, 1:1 with what's on the screen. But it is to my understanding you need to have an above average desktop PC with internal hardware (BlackMagic, etc) equipped to do this, correct? This is why I went for the Elgato, which seems to be the best of the external USB devices.

1. Honestly, the difference between PS3 component / HDMI is negligible once you tweak the color settings within the game capture software. That said, here's what you do to capture HDMI via PS3 with the GCHD:

• Get a DVI to HDMI cable.
• Buy this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=5369&seq=1&format=2
• Here's your workflow: HDMI from PS3 to DVI into converter. HDMI out from converter to Elgato. HDMI from Elgato to TV, USB to PC.
• For audio, you can use optical or RCA. If you're using optical, you go optical on PS3 to converter, then it should mix it with the HDMI and "serve" it with the video feed. I have not tried this. What I did was ALSO use the "wonderful" composite cable that comes with the PS3 to output audio, which I plugged into the Elgato's component adapter (that also accepts analog audio). If you're doing that, make sure you set it to OTHER and check the ANALOG AUDIO box and you configure your PS3 to output audio over that cable, not HDMI.
• Be patient, be prepared to restart, and make sure the input and output lights are red on the converter box (check your connections if they aren't). This works.

I've noticed no framerate degredation, and I'd say the DVI solution above gives you results that are a touch better than the included PS3 component-to-Elgato cable. But that's most a color thing, and as I said above, it's negligible.

2. I've captured from Android, Surface, iPad, iPhone 5. You need a device with an HDMI port, whether you get that from an adapter (iPhone / iPad), via a microHDMI port (Surface RT), etc. Some devices have HDCP, which you can use the Monoprice box to bypass, as DVI can't carry it. Audio is an issue with some of these devices, and I've been able to work around that using a 1/8th inch to RCA audio adapter into the Elgato's analog audio connector (component adapter). Also the GCHD software has options for iPad / iPhone capture built in so it'll optimize for them. It's very nice.

The output of the Elgato is never uncompressed (even the .TS files are H.264 compressed), but for the price and what it's doing? It's pretty amazing. It's a great little box.

Hope that all makes sense! FUN TIMES.

 

[HoodWinked]

is there any that bypasses hdcp (single kit)? i feel next consoles may have always on hdcp