Video Capture for Console Games

[RPGD]

I've been searching on and off for a way to record some of my Mega Man and Monster Rancher play sessions on my Macbook Pro. Unless I'm mistaken, it seems like Pinnacle makes most of the good stuff. Before I get anything, though, I want to hear what you dingbats think; what sort of laptop-compatible video capture gadget or gadget-making company has worked for you? Any personal recommendations?

[Goufunaki]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

Depends how you want your videos to look. Dazzle is the cheaper capture card. I don't know if there's been any improvements since I originally bought one. Maybe change the settings around for the newer ones.

Anyway, two of my videos to give ya an idea.

This is Dazzle, only able to use composite cables. Very cheap. Wouldn't recommend this if what your recording is text heavy.


And this was from my Hauppage 1212, using component cables. Very pricey. I didn't see it mentioning working with a Mac, though. Watch it in 720p to see how it looks.

[marcus]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

I recommend a simple DVD burner. You can get one for less than $100 which is what Pinnacle's products would cost you and most of them come with component, composite, and digital inputs. Finding one with an RF tuner so you could do older consoles jacks the price up by almost double but it should be fine if you're doing newer systems.

You'll need a program to encode your recording as an AVI file but you can get those for free. There's probably a free movie making program that's simple and easy similar to Windows Movie Maker.

[Llednik]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

I just use this. It works pretty well.

[Perversion]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

Never used one, but I've heard nothing but good things about Hauppage's stuff.

[RPGD]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

That Hauppage bit looks pretty cool. I assume you need some sort of splitter to plug your console into both the TV and the computer? How's its software?

[Goufunaki]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

I assume you need some sort of splitter to plug your console into both the TV and the computer?

It's already a splitter. Console plugs into the hauppauge. The hauppauge then splits off to the tv with its own cables that come with it, and also goes to the PC with a USB. The benefit here is that you can play games normally on your tv while recording to your computer. Trying to play while watching it on your computer isn't great, because the video/sound lags (which is exactly what my Dazzle does, so playing certain games is impossible).

Again, this one is expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1212...1995020&sr=8-1

How's its software?

Recording is great. You can set the quality to whatever works best. No editing software, though. Also includes playback, and a file converter. Some movie editors might not be able to play m2ts files, so you can convert it to other compatible types (wmv, mpeg, ect).

[Perversion]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

I've never used one (not owning a PeeCee and all), but I've read that there's a stand-alone video capture unit, and a PC-based one (not sure about Mac). Again, from what I've heard/read, the PC-based one is superior, if you have the ability to use it.

Not sure about using a splitter, though. Also unsure of its connectivity options (more than likely, just component in, and possibly DVI/RGB).

EDIT: Gouf just posted, and I actually surmised while posting that it HAD to have some sort of splitter built in, but was unsure, so didn't post as much. And technically, it's really NOT splitting a video image. It's sending the same image input back out to the TV/monitor, and sending a data stream to the PC via USB after having converted it to a usable file format.


I know if you are looking for an HDMI splitter (for this or any reason), I picked up a 1x2 from Monoprice about a year back for like $60 or something, and a 1x4 for about $90. These were HDMI 1.3, and at least with my Samsung LCD from 2008, I've never had a single handshake issue. My Toshiba DLP, though, from 2007, sometimes has handshake issues when switching from a Blu-Ray or game back to the PS3's desktop. This is easily rectified by scrolling through inputs. It's just a slight inconvenience that I'm willing to endure for the sake of being able to get the same 1080p image on both TVs at the same time, and not having to pay upwards of $300-$500.

[RPGD]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

What does mean LCD?

[Perversion]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

Erm....liquid crystal display. It's the type of screen used on the DS, the PSP, laptop screens, PC flat screen monitors, and most cell phones. Except that they can go as big as 60", if not larger. Mine's only 46", though.

[RPGD]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

What does mean DS?

And where can I get a 60" one?

[Goufunaki]

Re: Video Capture for Console Games

What does mean DS?

D**k Size

And where can I get a 60" one?