Capturing from xbox 360

[VirTu3]

hi there....i play my xbox 360 on my monitor via HDMI...i was wondering whether its possible to get a capture card for this set-up? as i want to record my vegas 2 clan matches....i know its very simple if you have a HDTV or a standard TV....i believe its trickier with monitors!!??

also if anyone knows of a good capture card which will be suitable for my set up then please let me know...i just need a way to record my matches in decent quality.

would it be possible to connect the component cable in its normal port (the big one under the hdmi port) and then run the component cable wires (yellow, red wires etc) to a dazle capture card?...this would mean the xbox 360 is outputing two video signals. one for the monitor via hdmi and one for the capture card via component cable.

hope some one can help me out.

thank you.

[Nelson37]

SFAIK the Xbox only outputs ONE video type at a time, and the Yellow cable is Composite, not Component. The red and white are audio.

Several estensive threads on this, for HD capture very limited selection of capture cards, for standard definition display most any standard capture card can work.

[VirTu3]

would it be possible to purchase a HDMI splitter...and have one run to my monitor and the other a HDMI recording device? what kind of device could that be tho?

also i must add that i do not care about capturing in SD aslong its captured..i just want to keep playing xbox 360 throught my monitor without loss of quality and no lag.

[jman98]

Note that some European games output PAL60 video signals and if you have games that do this, you MUST have one of the rare video cards capable of recording a PAL60 signal or it won't work.

We have threads here on PAL60 compatible video cards. It's a fairly common problem for you UK guys.

[VirTu3]

hi guys could any of you let me know if this solution would allow me to record xbox 360 via hdmi.

my monitor has a single HDMI input...my xbox 360 will conect to the device below via HDMI (splitter):

http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/hdmi-splitter-2-way.html

this will allow me to split the signal into two signals running at the same time...1 HDMI will go to the HDMI monitor input, the other split will allow me to connect a HDMI to DVI cable to a HDFURY device, seen below (this device allows digital signals to be converted to analogue):

http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/mcfury1.jpg

then on the other side of the HDFURY device i will run a VGA to component cable to a capture card (maybe dazzle, i dont know yet).


right, i am not 100% sure whether will work, but to me it makes sense as the HDCP signal is allowed to pass due to HDFURY capabilities.

let me know if this is possible as im not sure....hope this is not too confusing..thank you.

[jagabo]

HDCP will not allow the HDMI signal to be split.

[VirTu3]

HDCP will not allow the HDMI signal to be split.

dam, ok..so the xbox 360 is a HDCP device?

[jagabo]

HDCP will not allow the HDMI signal to be split.

dam, ok..so the xbox 360 is a HDCP device?

Since it can play HD DVD it has to support HDCP. I don't know if all (or any) games require it though.

[SHS]

You know could always use component output from the Xbox going in to the Hauppauge HD-PVR which has real-time hardware H.264 compressed which also has a build-in A/V splitter or A/V loop thougth to go to a reg TV for Realtime perview and can do both standard/high definition recording but it will not be decent quality it sould be outstanding quality.
You should be able to setup the resolution to 480i/p, 720p or 1080i.
As for HDCP I do belive it only need if your play HD-Disc or Bluray-Disc at full 1080i resolution where analog will be limited to 480i/480p and maybe but I'm not sure about 720p.

[jagabo]

A guy in this thread claims to have been able to caputre from the xbox 360:

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic343437.html#1794524

[VirTu3]

thanx everyone....the thing is i play on a monitor via hdmi...does not have component inputs etc.

this all just seems long winded and costly...abit sad really

spending all that money just to record is a waiste because i rather buy games with that....better off just using a camcorder lol.

[yoda313]

I have read that if you set your xbox 360 to standard definition 480/576 that you can output both signals via the component and composite combo cable.

I haven't tried it yet myself to confirm this.

[VirTu3]

hi guys...im still trying to figure out capturing methods etc lol...ive come up with a new method which is shown in the youtube video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ono0-51UmPg

however, the user in the video uses double ended component wires from the capture card splitters to his TV. will it be possible for me to use a component to VGA cable instead (capture card to monitor). will this work? the cable i want to use is below.

http://www.everything2connect.com/images/Component_VGA_RCA.jpg

plz confirm whether this will work or not.

[jagabo]

He is using composite video, not component. He is simply splitting the standard definition composite video and audio outputs with passive Y adapters. You can do this but you'll be playing and recording in SD. Note that splitting signals like this reduces the signal level to each device. Problems might occur with some TVs or recorders.

That component/VGA cable will not convert component video to analog VGA or vice versa. It is for some specific device that uses the extra pins on a VGA connector for component video.

[SHS]

That is something you should never ever use with component/composite or svideo video and audio outputs with passive Y adapters you should always use Video distribution amplifier.

[VirTu3]

I have read that if you set your xbox 360 to standard definition 480/576 that you can output both signals via the component and composite combo cable.

I haven't tried it yet myself to confirm this.

interesting...is there any evidence of this?....e.g. if i run the composite cables to a capture card at SD and then run the component cables to my display will that give me 720p?

i understand HDMI capture is tricky and expensive, does anyone know how to capture a VGA video signal. as my monitor also has a VGA input which allows for max res.

[yoda313]

interesting...is there any evidence of this?....e.g. if i run the composite cables to a capture card at SD and then run the component cables to my display will that give me 720p?

Like I said that was just something I read online. You'd have to do some more searching. And if I remember right that was only for standard definition. So if it worked it would only output standard definition on both cables.

Again as a disclaimer I haven't done it myself so I don't know if it would work.

No harm in trying though

EDIT - Here is something after a quick yahoo search:

http://www.cablespies.com/gaming/microsoft-xbox-360-tricks-you-should-know-about/

10 Xbox 360 tricks Microsoft won’t tell you

1. Connect your Xbox 360 to two screens at once

If you’ve got one of the component/composite dual video cables – the one that comes in the box with most 360s – you can have your console display its gamey goodness on two TVs simultaneously. The trick is to flick the cable’s switch to Standard Definition but hook up the composite (yellow) cable to one screen and the component (the red, green, blue) cables to another. It won’t be high-def, but it could be handy if you’re staging a mini LAN party and want to set up a display for bored spectators to point their eyes at.

-------------------------------------------

As I had guessed it would not be high def on either end but it would let you at least watch the 360 on the tv and capture simultaneously. And your hdtv should have SOME internal upscaling so it probably won't look THAT bad while playing.

[VirTu3]

interesting...is there any evidence of this?....e.g. if i run the composite cables to a capture card at SD and then run the component cables to my display will that give me 720p?

Like I said that was just something I read online. You'd have to do some more searching. And if I remember right that was only for standard definition. So if it worked it would only output standard definition on both cables.

Again as a disclaimer I haven't done it myself so I don't know if it would work.

No harm in trying though

EDIT - Here is something after a quick yahoo search:

http://www.cablespies.com/gaming/microsoft-xbox-360-tricks-you-should-know-about/

10 Xbox 360 tricks Microsoft won’t tell you

1. Connect your Xbox 360 to two screens at once

If you’ve got one of the component/composite dual video cables – the one that comes in the box with most 360s – you can have your console display its gamey goodness on two TVs simultaneously. The trick is to flick the cable’s switch to Standard Definition but hook up the composite (yellow) cable to one screen and the component (the red, green, blue) cables to another. It won’t be high-def, but it could be handy if you’re staging a mini LAN party and want to set up a display for bored spectators to point their eyes at.

-------------------------------------------

As I had guessed it would not be high def on either end but it would let you at least watch the 360 on the tv and capture simultaneously. And your hdtv should have SOME internal upscaling so it probably won't look THAT bad while playing.

cool...thank you for this...i will keep this in mind...as i have a HD tele...SD tele and my beloved monitor which i idealy want to use.

any suggestions on capturing via VGA?

[yoda313]

@virtu3 - no problem. Good luck with the capturing.

Unfortunately I have no experience on capturing with VGA. I'm sure its doable but i wouldn't know where to begin to point you in any direction.

[jagabo]

One VGA capture device:

http://www.epiphan.com/products/frame-grabbers/vga2usb-lr/

It ain't cheap.

[VirTu3]

thank you everyone for there help...ive been taking notes of everyones suggestions.

i have another idea which links onto using the combo cable (component and composite which comes with most xbox 360's).......the item below in the link converts a component signal into a vga signal and allows 1080p (as long as your monitor or HDTV support that resolution)..it is called "XCM mega cool 1080p vga box"

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=116737

what i am planning to do is plug the component wires into this box whilst sending the composite wire to the capture card. the component connection will be converted into VGA for my monitor hopefully allowing 1080p.....whilst the composite wire will record SD.

now does this seem possible?....i will be using the combo wire however the little device up scales the components signal up to 1080p.

[jagabo]

"XCM mega cool 1080p vga box"

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=116737

what i am planning to do is plug the component wires into this box whilst sending the composite wire to the capture card. the component connection will be converted into VGA for my monitor hopefully allowing 1080p.....whilst the composite wire will record SD.

If earlier posts are right about putting out both composite and component when the Xbox 360 is set to 480i then you will capture standard definition via the composite connectrion and be viewing upscaled standard definition on the VGA monitor via the component connection (it won't look any better than SD). If you set the Xbox 360 to output HD there will be nothing on the composite output to capture.

[VirTu3]

"XCM mega cool 1080p vga box"

http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=116737

what i am planning to do is plug the component wires into this box whilst sending the composite wire to the capture card. the component connection will be converted into VGA for my monitor hopefully allowing 1080p.....whilst the composite wire will record SD.

If earlier posts are right about putting out both composite and component when the Xbox is set to 480i/p then you will capture standard definition and be viewing upscaled standard definition on the VGA monitor.

how much will that device upscale SD?...theres no information about it i dont think...i just emailed the company to see if they can help me.

[jagabo]

how much will that device upscale SD?...theres no information about it i dont think...i just emailed the company to see if they can help me.

It doesn't really matter. It won't look any better than SD.

[VirTu3]

is there anyway to downscale VGA 1920x1080 resolution to s-video standard...i know that there are converters which allow max vga 1280x1024 resolution to s-video standard conversion....(like the one in the link below)

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/100491376/PC_To_TV_VGA_To_AV_VGA_To_S_Video_Scan_Converter.jpg

not sure about 1920x1080...any ideas?

[jagabo]

Yes, here's an example:
http://www.avsuperstore.com/moreinfo.cfm/Kramer.Electronics/VP-504XL

[VirTu3]

^^^ thank you...i was wondering will this one work?

http://www.modchip.it/shop/detail.asp?lng=EN&idprod=3496

what i was thinking is if i play xbox 360 via the VGA HD cable...which will plug into a two way splitter.....one split to my monitor...then second split to a VGA to S-video converter....then the s-video out will go into the capture card (SD).

ive heard this would work...playing in HD and recording in SD??

[jagabo]

Well, you can read as well as I can. It says it works up to 1920x1200. I wouldn't count on it having great picture quality on the s-video output. It has a passthrough for the VGA so you only need a second VGA cable to run from the box to the monitor.

But xbox 360 vga output resolutions may be limited:
http://hardware.teamxbox.com/reviews/xbox-360/40/Xbox-360-VGA-HD-AV-Cable/p1/
Maybe things have changed since then. Other reviews indicate 1080p output is available over VGA.

[VirTu3]

yeh...there was a update...now if ur monitor supports it it can go up to 1920x1080...as i already have that cable and have tested it...just as good as the hdmi picture at 1080p (24inch monitor).

yeh i need to find out whether the vga to s-video conversion is viewabale and decent.

[jagabo]

Take a 1920x1080 image, reduce it to 480x480, then enlarge it to 640x480. That's about what the output from the device will look like.