PS3/Xbox 360 (HD) captured to PC.

[KameronK]

I know there is already a post about something similar. But he wanted to play his game in 720p and record in any format. I want to be able to record in 720p. Is this possible?

I have been hearing about a Hauppauge device coming out in March. Does anyone know anything about this?

I currently have a Pinnacle USB 500 capture device that is very simple. I can only record in standard display though. I have it hooked up like so:

Xbox360 to TV - TV to Capture device (both via red, yellow, & white cables) - Capture device to PC (via USB)

However the quality of the videos leave a little to be desired. Furthermore, the Pinnacle software doesn't allow me to capture still images. So I take snapshots with the VLC media player and the quality of the images are terrible. Any recomendations?

Thanks!

[KameronK]

Anyone have any ideas?

[edDV]

Your computer is nowhere close to fast enough to handle uncompressed 720p that the PS3/Xbox 360 exports. Search the threads on BlackMagic Intensity (uncompressed 720p 375GB/hr.). Uncompressed capture needs a RAID. Realtime compression needs a high end Core CPU.

What is obviously needed is a hardware compression solution. Hopefully the new Hauppage card will do that.

[Mysteriouskk]

The only options right now are the Monster X and PV4, which are both only available in Japan, and the Blackmagic Intensity, which you can get here. They are all around $300, and they require uncompressed capture or realtime compression like edDV said.

I'm using the Monster X, which is pretty easy to use, once you figure it out. I've captured some videos in 720p and 480p on my website:
http://www.cgaming.com

Thanks

[KameronK]

I have decent hardware:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600: 2.4 GHz x 4
Motherboard: Asus P5N-D: NVidia 750i SLI, PCI Express 2.0
Memory: 8 GB (4 x 2 GB) Mushkin Performance DDR2 800
Hard Drive: Western Digital 500 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA 3.0
Video Card: 2x 512 MB NVidia GeForce 8800GT SLI
Power Supply: 750W SLI Power Supply
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium (32-Bit)


#1 Can someone explain to me what would be the best capture card to get. (I'd like to capture in 720p if possible.)

#2 I'd also like some reccomendations on software (if the capture doesn't come with this) that will allow me to take still images from video. I currently use the VLC player to take snapshots after the video is created. The results are poor quality.

#3 Obviously, I do not have the hardware to run uncompressed. So can anyone fill me in on the Hauppage card? When is it do out? Link? Is it confirmed that it will solved the compression issue?


I guess what it boils down to is... I'd like to record high quality video and take high quality images. I have a pretty good budget. I'd like some advice, I'm a novice at best in this niche. Thansk in advance!!

[KameronK]

Just found this:

http://blogs.snapstream.com/2008/02/07/more-on-the-hauppauge-hd-pvr/


There’s been a groundswell of interest in the Hauppauge HD PVR device, ever since Hauppauge announced it at CES in early January. I first heard about the device from Hauppauge on a visit to their offices in Hauppauge, NY back in November 2007. Since then, I’ve learned quite a bit more about the device. We’re taking a lot of interest in this new device, but until we actual get a test unit, we can’t say whether or not we’ll support it.

For those of you who haven’t heard about the new device, I’ll briefly recap its capabilities: it’ll take in component video (you know, the red, green, and blue cables on the back of your cable or satellite set-top box — the ones that can carry an HD signal) and encode it to H.264 at up to 25 Mbit/s. And it includes Hauppauge’s standard IR blaster with code library.

Anyways, here is some of what I know about it:

Hauppauge’s calling it the HD PVR — for now. The name may change before it’s released.
It can accept component video in (see a picture) up to 1080p
It can encode that component video to H.264 transport streams (in hardware)
The hardware itself is basically done — Hauppauge’s just waiting on the final case design (and Chinese New Year has slowed this down)
It includes the same Hauppauge IR blaster & code library included with other Hauppauge products
It’s based on a chip from a company called Ambarella (http://www.ambarella.com/)
It’s an all-in-one chip that has a digitizer and H.264 encoder
A similar chip from Ambarella happens to be used in popular HD camcorders
The compression data rates works between 1 Mbit/s and 25 Mbit/s
The H.264 encoder outputs H.264 transport streams
The Ambarella chip also has an H.264 decoder and the Hauppauge HD PVR will ship with a video out, but…
The video out function will more than likely NOT be activated when the HD PVR ships (and possibly never, for reasons relating to the Ambarella driver)
You’ll need a relatively powerful PC to playback these recordings
Hauppauge is still making some tweaks to the HD PVR’s drivers as well
Hauppauge expects for the product to be shipping before the end of this quarter (ie before March 31, 2008)

[KameronK]

Here is what I have for capturing right now. As you can see it is very basic. The capture device and software (Pinnacle) was $59 TOTAL.

Starting at my Xbox 360, it is hooked up to the composite 1 of my television through R-W-Y cables. I then have my TV and Pinnacle USB Capture Device hooked up via the R-W-Y cables as well. This is in composite 2 of my TV. Then it is USB from the Capture device to my PC.

Pretty low-end. I want to upgrade as I have described abouve, but I don't understand this stuff very much. HELP!!!

[edDV]

The Ambarella chips, like most H.264 (MPEG-4 part 10 H.264/AVC) are designed for maximum "distribution" compression with little regard for post editing. Computer playback will be a challenge without adequate display card hardware H.264 decompression.

GOP based cuts editing (within a few seconds) will be easy. Finding the edit point may not be so easy. GOP decompression will allow frame accurate cuts.

Copy protection will become an issue. More likely, analog component outputs will rapidly disappear from cable/sat boxes.

[KameronK]

LOL ^^^

See what I mean! I kind of understand what you are saying, but not really.

Maybe just tell me what to buy (hardware and software) and I'll just buy it..lol

[edDV]

LOL ^^^

See what I mean! I kind of understand what you are saying, but not really.

Maybe just tell me what to buy (hardware and software) and I'll just buy it..lol

Buy it doesn't make it work. Study up while you wait for the Hauppauge intro. There is no consumer friendly solution. You need to get the tutorials and geek up.

If you want to know the edit issues that await, see this thread. The Sanyo H.264 camcorder uses a similar chip.
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic345804.html#1812371

[KameronK]

My question to the group is, based upon my hardware and current connection. What hardware and software would everyone recommend?

[Nelson37]

Choices are EXTREMELY LIMITED.

Assuming you can't read Japanese, there is the Black Magic Intensity Pro. That's it. Or wait for the new Hauppage device, and enjoy the thrills of being the first on the block to try out new hardware. What fun that truly is. For a newbie, I would advise wait at least 90 days after release, and do a LOT of searching and reading.

The Black Magic card gives you a file that is relatively easy to edit, the Hauppage does not.

You will need another hard drive, possibly two in a RAID.

Read the other thread where this card is discussed in some detail.

Having tested both HDMI and Component connectors with a 360, if you are aiming to cap HD, then get one with HDMI. The difference was pretty significant in terms of output quality.

[gschwendt]

sorry to bump an old thread but since this was exactly what I was looking for and since it was mentioned in this thread, I received the Hauppauge HD-PVR today. Here's the thread on it along with some sample video from my PS3.

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic345063.html#1853750