Will this crazy set-up work? (XBOX recording question)

[Goatman]

Hello, this is my first post, and it's a question...

I want to record my xbox 360 gameplay in HD and record in SD.
I previously used to play in terrible quality SD and record in SD
But now I have the HD AV Cable and want to play in 1080P and record in 480P?(SD)
I got this great idea to do it after learning that the xbox can only play in either HD or SD

Plug HD AV cable into XBOX 360 Slim. Then plug HD AV into Component Video Splitter, run one component cable to my TV and other to the Component to RCA converter.
Plug RCA cable into the converter.
Put other RCA end cable into EasyCap capture card and finally into my computer and:
PLAY IN HD AND RECORD IN SD.

[yoda313]

Damn thats some layout.

I'm not sure what records in 480p. Most sd capture devices only do 480i.

I would recommend saving up for a hauppuge hd pvr. You can use the component output cables and record in high definition from the xbox. The hauppauge hd pvr has component output passthroughs that loop to a tv input for lagless play while recording.

I don't believe the 360 outputs sd and hd simultaneously. I believe it only outputs one or the other. I could be wrong about that.

[Goatman]

Thanks for the reply,
Sorry about the whole 480P thing, I just want to record in SD

I guess I could save up for Hauppa, but that'll take a little bit for me

I know the xbox doesn't output HD and SD at the same time,
hence the converter.

[yoda313]

Any converter other than a hdpvr type unit that doesn't have passthrough could potentially introduce lag and that would affect playing.

Another route you could take to simplify the whole thing is to get a dvd recorder. Than you should be able to play through the dvd recorder with no lag and record in sd without a problem - I think. The whole workflow would remain sd but you'd have an instant disc after finalizing once you finish your session.

[jagabo]

I don't think you'll be able to find a DVD recorder that accepts HD component as input.

The process looks to me like it will work but there are some possible problems:

Splitting an HD component signal with a simple y adapter isn't optimal. It will probably work but it's possible that the signal level will drop too much for the downstream devices to sync. Keeping the cables short, and using high quality cables, should help.

Make sure the converter actually converts the signal (captures HD component, downscales to SD resolution, outputs SD analog s-video or composite) and isn't just a cable splitter. Some devices output both component and s-video/composite on a 7 pin DIN connector. A "converter" is then used to route those signals to individual RCA connectors. That type of converter doesn't convert the signal, just the connectors. They will not work for your purposes. A true HD component to SD composite converter will probably cost you more than a Hauppauge HD PVR. For example:

http://www.ambery.com/covitocovisc.html

[yoda313]

I don't think you'll be able to find a DVD recorder that accepts HD component as input

Yep I mentioned a dvd recorder would require a sd workflow for the whole thing.

[Goatman]

how much would quality decrease? or is just a stupid idea? All I want to do is play in HD and record in SD onto my netbook

[Goatman]

Sorry for double post, but here is list of items that I would buy to make this (possibly) work:

X-Box HD AV Cable: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Component-HD-AV-Cable/dp/B000B6MLPU (already have)

Component to RCA Converter:http://sewelldirect.com/Component-YPbPr-RGB-RCA-to-Composite-Yellow-RCA-and-S-Video-Co...aler_specs.asp

Component Coupler/Splitter: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004353JBA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf...NSYMZM1PCDDXJW

Component Cable: http://cgi.ebay.com/6FT-COMPONENT-VIDEO-CABLE-3-RCA-6-FT-RGB-HDTV-DVD-VCR-/30043002234...item45f30656cb

RCA Cable: http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripple-3-RCA-CABLE-TV-VIDEO-AUDIO-5ft-AV-Composite-US-/2305890972...item35b02e650b (already have)

Easycap: http://cgi.ebay.com/Easycap-USB-2-0-Video-TV-DVD-VHS-Capture-Adapter-/280572718777?pt=...item41536feeb9 (in the mail... should come tomorrow)

Is this stuff too low quality?

[yoda313]

how much would quality decrease? or is just a stupid idea? All I want to do is play in HD and record in SD onto my netbook

Woah you're trying to record onto a netbook? You didn't mention that.

I don't know that a netbook is powerful enough to record video. At the very least it wouldn't have enough storage space to record lengthy sessions. You'd have to use an external capture device and a an external harddrive to make sure you had the space for it.

I don't think you can play in hd and record in sd simultaneously. As I mentioned I don't think it outputs simultaneously just one or the other.

As far as recording sd quality from an xbox 360 it should look ok. Just know it won't be nearly as sharp as a high def capture. It can look ok as long as you don't use too low of a bitrate. The lower the bitrate the smaller the file size but the quality will be less.

[neomaine]

...I know the xbox doesn't output HD and SD at the same time.

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure the component and composite are both live. The worst you'd have to do is split the audio.

[yoda313]

...I know the xbox doesn't output HD and SD at the same time.

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure the component and composite are both live. The worst you'd have to do is split the audio.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't but I've never tested it.

BUT if you look at the hdav cable you have to select one or the other with a slider switch so that should mean the other is blocked.

[Brad]

This seems like a silly expense, paying $50 + shipping for a converter to output to a knockoff $7 "EasyCAP." But if you do it, get an S-video cable instead of composite.

Why do you want to record to a netbook? No real computer in the Xbox room?

One other thing I would point out is that you're missing a piece. If you're using an adapter like you pictured in your first post you will need a coupler to connect the male HD AV cable to the male input. You linked to this coupler but called it a splitter (Amazon description is wrong). Ideally you would get a 1 female in, 2 female out component splitter instead of these two pieces. You could also use a separate RCA splitter for each wire (3x without audio).

Your diagram is missing audio splitting. Are you using a digital output to your TV at the same time?

[jagabo]

Here's the originally pictured component splitter at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/3-RCA-RG-59-Component-Video-Splitter/dp/B000RJJ0XW

Note it doesn't include audio. So you'll also need a stereo audio y adapter.

[Goatman]

Thanks for all the replies.

I am very confused, some say it is going to work and others say it is stupid idea and I shouldn't attempt?

I have recorded before with Dazzle Fusion and it looks very nice, audio is eh... I don't really care.
About the computer, my netbook is stronger than the desktop I used the dazzle with. And I have a 3TB External HDD so no worries about space.

I very sorry for my misunderstanding.

[usually_quiet]

You are missing some parts. You can't use the XBOX 360 component cable to connect the XBOX 360 to the component splitter because it is the wrong gender. You need to add 3 RCA female couplers like this to your parts list
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042904&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

You also need two of these (or similar) to split the audio from the XBOX 360 cable
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042904&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

You need 4 of these audio cables or similar. (Two cables to connect the audio splitters and the TV and two to connect the audio splitters to the capture device)
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

Like vaporeon said, get an S-Video cable instead of a composite cable to run between the USB capture device and video converter box.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10207&cs_id=1020701&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

...and spare yourself some headaches by getting a better USB capture device than a $10 generic EasyCap. You really should look for one that includes a little manufacturer support and working drivers. ...maybe the real EzCap. http://www.amazon.com/Camcorders-Satellite-playstation3-software-widescreen/dp/B003YGJ...9621501&sr=8-1

One more part you may need. http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=...seq=1&format=2
Sometimes the audio from USB capture devides fails to work properly and you need to capture audio using the microphone jack instead.

[Goatman]

Oh my, that is alot of stuff.
Maybe this isn't the best idea...

I think I am changing my options...

1. Get a Happauge or whatever
2. Find a way to make XBOX video less fuzzy and sharper so playing in SD is bearable (1st option, any way to do this?)

[usually_quiet]

Oh my, that is alot of stuff.
Maybe this isn't the best idea...

I think I am changing my options...

1. Get a Happauge or whatever
2. Find a way to make XBOX video less fuzzy and sharper so playing in SD is bearable (1st option, any way to do this?)

Yes its a lot of parts. Instead of 4 individual audio cables, you could ger 2 of these instead and save a little money: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10241&cs_id=1024101&p_id=...t=1#largeimage

I'm told the XBOX 360 can output video over both composite and S-Video at the same time. If you could stand playing in SD and used an XBOX 360 S-Video + composite cable, that would work as a video splitter and would eliminate the need for the converter box. However, while S-video is a little sharper than composite, it is still not as good as component. Plus, many HD TVs are now being made without S-Video inputs.

... but saving your money for better equipment makes a lot of sense. If capturing video games isn't a passing fad, saving up for a good capture device won't hurt in the long run. If it is a passing fad, then you will have some money saved for another worthwhile purchase.

[Goatman]

Wait! I have new idea.

Some way to play in VGA with xbox cable and record in SD. I read of a man doing this on another forum!
(I know i am a pain)

[neomaine]

...I know the xbox doesn't output HD and SD at the same time.

Are you sure about that? I'm pretty sure the component and composite are both live. The worst you'd have to do is split the audio.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't but I've never tested it.

BUT if you look at the hdav cable you have to select one or the other with a slider switch so that should mean the other is blocked.

I'm going from memory here and would have to test again, but, my son's early BMIP capturing (couple years ago?) was having the component to the BMIP and the composite to the TV. I believe the switch simply enabled the high def resolutions in setup and not necessarily shut of composit.

[usually_quiet]

VGA plus another analog connection at the same time shouldn't work because they use different video standards. From what I gather the XBox 360 is able to output analog video using only one standard/resolution at a time.

Look at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14990622&postcount=10 This post says SD from component and SD from composite is possible. I remember a report that composite and S-Video can be used at the same time too, from another thread that I participated in.

I took a look at the pinout for the analog port here http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:xbox360av
It appears the composite and component don't share any pins, so it is physically possible that both might be used at once, assuming the resolution is SD. It also appears the composite S-Video don't share any pins either, so it is physically possible that both might be used at once. However, S-Video shares some pins with component, so S-Video + component will not work.

The Microsoft brand XBox 360 component cables I saw don't provide a composite video connection. I did see some from 3rd paries that provide component and composite connectors as well as stereo audio connectors. I can't say which third party cables are decent quality. You will still be limited to 480i though.