Game Recording Advice

[Thom Grayson]

I've been looking into game recording, and I was looking for some recommendations for capture cards - I'd like to be able to record pretty much any console, so if there are any particular issues with some system or another, I'd like to know.

And if anyone knows, I'd like to know what kind of options I have for handheld games.

Thanks in advance for whoever knows!

[Desolis]

I'm not sure how you want to do non-hdmi capture... (older systems) There are very cheap solutions for this (diamond vc500) otherwise I found this video helpful. I have the VC500 which I use for classic system streaming. I use it in in conjunction with Open Broadcast Software and notice some occasional flickering of the captured video (I guess that's what you get for less than $40) . It's rather minor though, and works pretty well.

Standard:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/13215178?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000295837&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=41942996590&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=34443129910&veh=sem

High Def Options:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90uE3RltQA8

[Thom Grayson]

The video review mentioned that the Elgato comes with cords for component - if there's such a thing as component-to-composite, wouldn't that mean that just one of these boxes could take care of any home console?

[Desolis]

It looks like the component to composite converter is going to run you an average of about 50 bucks. (quick amazon search to look this up). So the VC500 ends up being a cheaper option.

Or you could get one of those cheapy HDMI to composite converters, but I'm not sure how well they work.

[larryinc64]

The Elgato Game Capture works with basically every system, The component adapter will accept Composite, just plug the Yellow into the Red, and the 2 audio into where it would normally go. There is a Composite cable for sale on the site as well, but it is not necessary.

(Taken from the Elgato Card)
It has great output, but can be flaky, I've lost a couple recording sessions due to some errors, like glitched video or it just not creating a video file. This is a problem if your settings are set a certain way, I'm still working out what works best, but pushing video quality all the way up and what format it is saved as seems to cause it. It works more times than not though.
You can ad mic audio to the video file, but I like to recorded separately in Audacity and sync it up later.


For a cheaper option, the Dimond GC500
WAL-MART
Huge downside: It will not work with N64, PS1, or Genesis. The included software does not support the resolutions. Though if you find some other capture software, you might be able to get it to work. Video quality is a mixed bag, very blurry. To see it in action, watch some of my Let's Plays made with it. Mario Kart 64 and Sonic Adventure DX was recorded on a Wii with a component input. Castlevania was recorded on an NES.
https://www.youtube.com/user/PowerPlaid/videos

[Thom Grayson]

The Elgato Game Capture works with basically every system, The component adapter will accept Composite, just plug the Yellow into the Red, and the 2 audio into where it would normally go. There is a Composite cable for sale on the site as well, but it is not necessary.

Any system... that's what I need 

I imagine that for recording handhelds I'd need to modify the systems somehow? The looking around that I've done has come up with people saying you should just emulate them and record with a screen recorder on your PC, but I'd rather avoid that if possible.

And is there any way to record Virtual Boy gameplay? My limited knowledge of how its display works (mirrors and a little motor?) makes me think that it would be difficult compared to other systems, technically speaking.

[TDIRunner]

I imagine that for recording handhelds I'd need to modify the systems somehow? The looking around that I've done has come up with people saying you should just emulate them and record with a screen recorder on your PC, but I'd rather avoid that if possible.

Well, for Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance, I would think you could run them through a Game Boy Player on your Game Cube and then record the Game Cube the same way you normally would.  DS and 3DS have capture cards available that need to be installed, but from what I've seen, the 3DS card is really expensive.  Game Gear would require the video out mod, but then you should be able to record it similar to anything with composite out.  Certain PSP models have the ability to run composite or component video out.  Supposedly, the Vita TV  with HDMI output will be for sale in the US in the near future which will include PSP as long as you don't mind using the digital versions.

[Dr.Agon]

I imagine that for recording handhelds I'd need to modify the systems somehow? The looking around that I've done has come up with people saying you should just emulate them and record with a screen recorder on your PC, but I'd rather avoid that if possible.

And is there any way to record Virtual Boy gameplay? My limited knowledge of how its display works (mirrors and a little motor?) makes me think that it would be difficult compared to other systems, technically speaking.

the PSP 3000 models output to TV's via Component, so you could just hook it up directly

Virtual boy TV out has been done;

http://furrtek.free.fr/?a=vbtvout

as has NGPC, by the same guy;

http://furrtek.free.fr/?a=superngpc

neither for sale yet, but we can dream...!

[Thom Grayson]

Checked, and my PSP is a 3000 model - awesome

That VB mod looks pretty cool - if I could buy it, I would. Now if only I had a Virtual Boy to go with the games I have for it :\

[TDIRunner]

For the record, the PSP 2000 has the video output as well.  I still need to get me a cable.