HD Video Capture Device

[WeApOn]

Looking for some advice on a good HD Video Capture device. Essentially, want to record PS3 gameplay to my computer. One of my computers has an HDMI port, I'm assuming that's my best option? Are there any other options?

I figure I can either directly input my PS3 into my laptop and use software(recommendations please ) or use a piece of hardware in between the two.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to play on my TV while it's capturing on my laptop. Perhaps there's a box that has two HDMI outputs?

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

[Icemage]

You'd need an HD capture device like the Hauppage 720p HD PVR. There are a few others on the market, but they're all somewhat pricey.

[WeApOn]

Currently looking at an HDMI splitter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I figure I can connect like this:
PS3 --> HDMI Receiver --> HDMI Splitter (1)---> TV (2)---> Laptop

Then for recording purposes I could look at something similar to FRAPS that records on the laptop itself, a software solution. Going over it in my head, it seems like that would work fine. Just need to make sure the software captures the audio as well.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by WeApOn

Currently looking at an HDMI splitter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I figure I can connect like this:
PS3 --> HDMI Receiver --> HDMI Splitter (1)---> TV (2)---> Laptop

Then for recording purposes I could look at something similar to FRAPS that records on the laptop itself, a software solution. Going over it in my head, it seems like that would work fine. Just need to make sure the software captures the audio as well.

The PS3's HDMI output is HDCP (copy protected) and other than finding a HDCP Stripper, you will not get a signal, either video or audio from the HDMI output.

I know this first hand, because I have the Black Magic Intensity Pro HDMI capture card, and it doesn't receive a signal from the PS3 over HDMI. But luckily on the Pro, it has a breakout cable with component in/out, with audio in/out.

Your best and easiest bet would be the Hauppauge HD PVR It's easy peasy to set up and captures in H.264 to keep the files manageable. Uncompressed 720p files are around 1 gig a minute, so the Hauppauge will also save you tons of hard drive space.

Just a side note, the "other X console's" HDMI is not encrypted, so capturing over HDMI would work on it.

[WeApOn]

Thanks greatly for the information.

What about an HDMI splitter? If I connected one of the outs to my Laptop, wouldn't the splitter just see the Laptop as another display? Then could I use software to capture the input which wouldn't see the HDCP flag?

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by WeApOn

Thanks greatly for the information.

What about an HDMI splitter? If I connected one of the outs to my Laptop, wouldn't the splitter just see the Laptop as another display? Then could I use software to capture the input which wouldn't see the HDCP flag?

HDMI = HDCP. You can't get a stripped HDMI signal without HDCP - there are zero devices on the market that will do this for you.

As mentioned, your best bet is to get something like the Hauppage or the BlackMagic Intensity and use it over component (which has no HDCP).

[WeApOn]

Gotcha. HDMI basically has HDCP stapled onto it.
You could use a laptop as a display device, but if you tried to use a program within Windows that would attempt to read that HDMI input and attempt to display it, that's the point at which it would be cut out, due to that HDCP flag?

[owa]

Isn't the HDMI port on your computer a HDMI out? I thought most of them provided a HDMI port so you could display the video from the computer on a TV, not receive a HDMI signal for input.

[Cyorg]

just have someone hold up a camera-phone while you play the game.