Please help with BMI Pro computer setup

[crc863]

Hey everyone!

First let me say I am completely ignorant with computer hardware. I don't know much beyond the basics.

I have a computer setup (specs below) for recording xbox. It uses a Black Magic Intensity Pro.

When I try to record in Motion JPEG I get a lot of dropped frames. When I record uncompressed it usually records perfectly, sometimes it drops a chunk of frames. When recording in Motion JPEG the faster / more action on the screen the worse it drops frames.

Is my computer simply just not powerful enough? Maybe I need a better graphics card or power supply?

Thanks in advance. Love the forum!

HP xw9300
WIN XP PRO 64
AMD Opteron Processor 252 (2 CPUs), ~2.6ghz
10240MB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400/4400 256MB - Chip Type Quadro 3400

[themaster1]

Let me guess you're capturing (storing the videos) on the system disk and now are wondering what's going on with these dropped frames.

[crc863]

I have 4 Hard drives on a raid 0 array. Sorry should have posted this info in the OP. This computer is only used for capturing video.

Disk Write Speed: 296.7 MB/s
Disk Read Speed: 303.3 MB/s

[smrpix]

What's your framerate and raster size? Gameplay can be huge.

[crc863]

I am capturing in 720p 59.64. 1280x720. I hope that's what you're looking for. Sorry I'm not sure what raster size is. A ten min COD capture is usually around 55gb and it captures in great quality (uncompressed). It's not often it drops frames capturing uncompressed.

[crc863]

Any ideas? Do you think the elgato game capture may work better?

[jagabo]

AMD Opteron Processor 252 (2 CPUs), ~2.6ghz

I'm pretty sure that's your problem. More memory wouldn't hurt.

[crc863]

Ahhh ok, do you think the elgato would record ok on this system?

[jagabo]

Ahhh ok, do you think the elgato would record ok on this system?

Probably. Since it uses a hardware h.264 encoder, all the CPU is doing is take data from the USB port and writing it to a file. Your graphics card will be doing the h.264 decoding for display. But, of course, check with the manufacturer.

[crc863]

Thanks for the help jagabo =0) I think I'll keep the BMI for raw capture and buy the Elgato for normal capturing.