Capture Cards for Videogames?

Professor Snugglesworth

I've made this thread at least twice in the past, but once again I'm looking into recommendations on a reliant yet affordable capture card, so I may forever preserve those memorable moments, be it single player or multiplayer.

To try and make thing easier, here are some general requirements/expectations I would like to use the card for:

1. Capture footage from Xbox 360 and PS3 games (Wii not necessary, but if it's doable...)

2. Connected through HDMI (that's how the systems are connected to my TV, and that's also how my PC is connected to both my TV and monitor, so I assume this is the easiest option)

3. Output at least up to 720p

4. Can record audio from player chat communications (not required, but nice if it can do it)

I might as well post my current PC specs too, if it helps:

System NameWIN7
System ManufacturerGigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System ModelEP35-DS3L
System Typex64-based PC
ProcessorIntel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz, 3000 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/DateAward Software International, Inc. F5, 7/16/2008
SMBIOS Version2.4
Windows DirectoryC:\Windows
System DirectoryC:\Windows\system32
Boot Device\Device\HarddiskVolume1
LocaleUnited States
Hardware Abstraction LayerVersion = "6.1.7601.17514"
User NameWin7\Jorge
Time ZoneEastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory4.00 GB
Available Physical Memory1.28 GB
Total Virtual Memory8.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory4.71 GB
Page File Space4.00 GB
Page FileC:\pagefile.sys
Radeon HD 5700 Series
Gigabyte Technology EP35-DDS3L

I also have four hard drives, one of them 2 TB, so storage isn't an issue. Anything I save is going to get uploaded to YouTube anyway, so I don't plan to permanently save any of the recordings.

Also, I could use some clarification on how exactly recording game footage works. If I'm using an HDMI connection, how do I connect the capture card to the console while it's also connected to my TV? Does the game display on my TV, PC monitor, or both? What are some other requirements I may not be aware of?

Beyond that, any suggestions on current capable cards would be appreciated. Looking for budget pricing, nothing too fancy as long as it meets my general preferences.

bigwah

Take a look at this, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116065

Professor Snugglesworth

Well, I'm looking at it...but I'm still wondering how it works (see above). Also, what slot does that have to go in, and would there be room in my Mobo for it?

Donovan Puppyfucker

You can plug that into any PCIe slot.

Your video card is mounted in the blue slot in your motherboard, the capture card would go in the short black slot two below it.

To make it work, you plug your console or whatever into the relevant port on the back, and use the software to record your gameplay.

Professor Snugglesworth

Will I just need to plug an HDMI cable between the card and the console to get it working?

Also, I assume that by doing this, it would display the console on my PC monitor and not my TV, correct? In that case, could I also display my PC on my TV (which is connected by its own HDMI cable), thus displaying the console back on my TV?

Does this also affect the framerate/image quality of the game while I play?

FuriousJodo

I use this HDMI splitter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=6192&seq=1&format=2

And this capture card:
http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313030809&sr=8-1

And get this:
http://youtu.be/T28jrPO2xzY

Though this video is an upload from Justin.tv, so it's obviously not as nice as a direct capture/record. Also you have to run them @ 720p, which isn't a huge issue but worth mentioning. And the PS3 doesn't allow capture over HDMI, you have to use component cables in order to record PS3 footage. You can do the same setup with a Component splitter, but the lag from playing in the Avermedia software is very marginal and would only really bother if you're picky about response time but it's not really enough that it hindered my play in anything.

Professor Snugglesworth

I could swear I read before that you can record PS3 games through HDMI, and instead can't do it for Bluray movies.

Also, I bought a generic HDMI splitter on EBay that cost less than half that amount, so I'm covered there. I'm just wondering how the games look/run when being displayed on a PC that's running back to my TV.

FuriousJodo

If you are using a splitter the signal is identical, both displays get the same image/signal. The Splitter itself probably adds an insignificant amount of lag (though I suppose it could be more depending on the splitter).

When I tried my PS3 with the Avermedia card it didn't work, it could just be my ps3, the card, or some combination of things but in my experience I had to use component for the ps3.

tardcore

Sorry to bump this thread from the past, but I'm looking for a capture card for my 360/PS3/possibly Wii. What would you guys recommend?

Is this still the best?
http://www.amazon.com/Avertv-Definition-Analog-Capture-MTVHDDVRR/dp/B002SQE1O0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313030809&sr=8-1

Donovan Puppyfucker

This seems to be a better version of what you linked.