For awhile now I have been looking for a capture device that will allow me to stream my PS3 and other console that I play to Justin.tv as well as record to my hard drive. Streaming being the more important of the two.At first I bought a $15 Easycap USB. It wasn't bad but I had to play while using a program window as my screen. I needed something that will allow me to split the signal to both my pc and my hdtv.
After search thru the web I discovered the Blitzbox HD. Ecstatic, I preordered right away. Yes preordered. The HD version was not out yet and at the time of my preorder, it was scheduled to be released around mid May. "No problem!" I thought. Well May came, and Blitzcast sent me an email saying that the Blitzbox HD would be delayed another month. Fast forward to June, another email, another delay.
I was quite frustrated at this point. It was late June, Blazblue(review coming soon) was around the corner, and I was still not up and streaming anything. While I watching someone else's gaming stream on Justin.tv someone mentioned the Pauppauge HD PVR. Immediately I checked Newegg, lo and behold there she was. I ordered it right away, and also cancelled my Blitzbox preorder. I paid $223.95 in total.
After unpacking the HD PVR and actually holding it in my hands for the first time, I thought it felt very light. For something that was over $200 I was expecting something more hefty. Oh well, as long as it works right? Right?! First thing I did was plug in my PS3 HD composite cable into the input of the PVR. Another composite cable from output to my Samsung HDTV. With the power adapter and USB plugged in I turned on my PS3 and tv to make sure it works, and it did.
Next I had to install the drivers and software for my pc so I could get my stream up and running. With the drivers set I opened Flash Media Encoder but ran into a problem. When I selected the Hauppauge HD PVR has my source, FME gave me an error saying it was already in use. "Hmmmm.." I thought. Ok so I'll try using Superwebcam as the source next, but another error. Was it even working?
So I try using Arcsoft Total Media Extreme, the software that came with the PVR. On the record window, it did indeed show what I was playing on the PS3. After asking around some message boards and asking Hauppauge themselves I discovered that the HD PVR is not compatible with the 3rd party programs I use; therefore streaming with said programs would not be possible. Till I remember I can use VHScreencap to crop and capture parts of my screen. I was in business.
Going back to when I first unpacked the HD PVR, my opinion was that it felt very light, very cheaply built for something that is supposed to be over $200. When I was plugging in the cables, the female plugs on the unit felt somewhat loose, something that would probably be problematic down the line. The component cable that did come with it was solid; sturdy, long, hard, just like me.
The software that came with with the PVR ArcSoft Total Media Extreme. For something with the word extreme in the title, it is very basic. The record part lets you choose between 3 options, with a save to on the bottom. That is it. The create disc section lets you create your own movie ala Windows Movie Maker, but far less options. Play videos is self explanatory.
With the ArcSoft Mediaconverter, I was somewhat surprised. There are options that allow you to convert files into a format that fits for a few well known devices, such as; iPod, Zune, PS3, Xbox Rrod, etc. An application like this is something one would want to be easy, and it is that. Now if you want even more customization such as which audio/video codecs and resolutions you want, look somewhere else.
When I first started everything up I ran into a snag. When I had the PVR plugged in the USB port, my tv would not receive a signal from my PS3. It took me awhile to figure out that I had to start up the software first, then the signal would go thru. After that I didn't run into anymore problems. I recorded a video of a saved replay of me vs my cousin in Blazblue which can be found here. The quality, I think is fantastic.
Overall I'm happy with my HD PVR now. I was ready to return it to Newegg.com when I couldn't use my normal programs to broadcast, but that is no longer the case thanks to Hmelyoff Labs' VH Capture. Hopefully someone else will make a webcam program that reads h264 so I can stream directly.
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