video captureing

[Gweedo888]

okay so i am really wanting to start editing my videos and string them together and what not and maybe even do other peoples as well. The issue that i am finding is what card to get i have a macbook pro and a imac with final cut stuido so software isn't the issue. i was wondering if anyone had tips or suggestions to what they liked how they did it and even what kind i should get.
Thanks

[vontoxic]

If you want HD the easiest thing you can get that is compatible with both your machines is the cap card I have, the Hauppauge HD PVR. Easy set up and connects to your computer via USB. It records up to 1080i at the highest bitrate of 13.5MBps through component cables. If you play with VGA cables you will have to get some converters to play/record/stream at the same time, which I have not tried.

I play on a monitor with VGA when its a game that has a theater mode so I can go back, pick and choose the clips I want, and change my cables to component an work off the TV. If I know I want footage off a game that does not have theater mode I just play on the TV and leave my computer recording. I usually leave it recording for 10-15minutes at a time so that I don't have huge files to import into the editor.

Well, thats what I have, those are my tips, and the HD PVR costs about $180. You can achieve nice quality off a cheaper, standard definition cap card with resizing and color correction through a video editor but thats something I don't know too much about.

[Gweedo888]

thanks so much i use the hdmi to play on my 42 in (i know its not the best framrate wise monitors are better) but is it possible to hook it into my tv while playing?? honestly i don't even know if it has a out on the back either but thanks so much and for the pvr i saw that like not even 5 mins before i checked back on here it looks sick and its the cheapest of the ones i have seen

[vontoxic]

If you had a really good tower computer I would had recommended the Black Magic intensity pro (forefront has one), you can record and play through HDMI. You could also look into the Black Magic intensity shuttle. Its kind of like the HD PVR but its sleeker and has HDMI in/out. I havent researched it much but saw some pretty good gameplay taken with it on youtube. Now I kind of wish I would have seen it sooner.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2w6v32h.jpg

[Chicken]

I personally have a Hauppauge HD PVR and i love it. I had a Dazzle DVC 100 a while back and while it was easier to set up, the quality cannot even compare to that of the Hauppague. The Hauppague will run you for about $200 on Amazon.com and the dazzle you can find at your local best buy for about $100.

[ThisGuyPwnage]

what can i get if i want to use VGAs? my xbox is the original from like 05 so i dont have hdmi capability so what am i gonna have to get

[vRellik]

hauppauge hd pvr all day i love mine quality is insane and its so easy to use and hook up

[forefront]

Okay, so I typed this once and lost it. Now I'll do it again. Don't ever say I don't contribute to the TLN forums. ;)

The Black Magic Intensity Pro is a PCIe card that has a HDMI in/out, and and optional Component Breakout cable. Seeing as you have a Mac, this might not be an option for you, so I would look at the BMI Shuttle if you go that way. The BMI captures video at the best quality available in the consumer price range. It has 1080i capabilities, and can capture pure, uncompressed HD video. However, to make use of its full potential, you will need at least a Quad-core or equivalent processor running at 2.0GHz MINIMUM. You will also need a RAID 0 array or a very large 10,000RPM hard drive. I say this because if you want to capture uncompressed HD video, you will need fast, expansive storage options. The uncompressed video will ultimately look better than the AVI motion JPEG option that the BMI offers and Hauppauge caps by default, but will probably sit around 40GB for a 15 minute video. Also, the BMI is way more difficult to set up than the Hauppauge.

Overall, if you are unwilling to sacrifice quality for simplicity, then go with the BMI. Otherwise the Hauppauge HD PVR is the better choice. I would also suggest searching it on Google. There are other cards out there with pretty good quality.

If you buy one and need help with the setup, just let me know!

Edit: I did some research on the HD PVR, and you should know that it doesn't capture HDMI. It's only component, but still does 1080i. Also, in order to use the HD PVR on a Mac you will need one of i think two programs. EyeTV 3, or HDPVRCapture which is licensed per HD PVR and has a sample you can download here (http://www.hdpvrcapture.com/cms/?q=node/1).