HD Gameplay Recorder. (Xbox)

[William-CL]

I have 0 experience in recording video from gameplay on console. I'm caught between the Black Magic Intensity and Hauppauge Hdpvr gaming edition.
Was thinking that maybe at least one person on here has experience with one of these. I'm really liking the reviews for the Hdpvr, but it's highest resolution is listed as 720p - 1080i. As well as with the Intensity, it doesn't specifically say 1080p like I'm looking for, it says "1080HD" which could be interpreted as either interlaced or progressive.

So anyone have anything different I could look at? It's not a small amount of money so I'd like be sure I'm going to like what I get.

[CrimsonNuker]

I've looked into this myself, and imo, they're basically Canon/Nikon.
If you have ever watched 2 Best Friends Play..., they use the Hauppauge HDPVR
Here's a sample of the Hauppauge HDPVR

[William-CL]

Was reading up on them. Blackmagic can't do 1080p for xbox.. shit. It's can only do 1080p @24 frames and the xbox is displayed @ 60 frames so it returns no picture. Looks like the Hdpvr is what I'll be leaning towards because it has way more pros to cons and the Intensity seems to give a lot of problems in dealing with your computer.
I honestly don't see a difference between 720p and 1080p on xbox. So I'll deal with it. I'm just tired of having super awesome moments in a game or finding some weird ass glitch etc and not have anyway to rewatch/show it off.

EDIT: Apparently 1080p xbox recording hardware doesn't exist without tweaks.. Not going to buy something for $200+ just to modify it.

[XMoshe]

I'm pretty sure a youtuber I watch (WoodysGamertag) uses a black magic and he plays almost exclusively on Xbox360. I can't find a video of him with it atm though >.< Maybe he uses it but records on 720p, I guess that's possible.

IMO Black Magic is overkill, 720p is more than enough for youtube videos and you (and the viewer) need quite the pc to render/edit/upload/view the videos in 1080p.

[William-CL]

I'm pretty sure a youtuber I watch (WoodysGamertag) uses a black magic and he plays almost exclusively on Xbox360. I can't find a video of him with it atm though >.< Maybe he uses it but records on 720p, I guess that's possible.

IMO Black Magic is overkill, 720p is more than enough for youtube videos and you (and the viewer) need quite the pc to render/edit/upload/view the videos in 1080p.

I can render 720p perfectly fine. I think 720p is plenty. 360p and 720p offer a HUGE difference. Not so much between 720 and 1080 on console because of the lack of a good graphics card in the console itself. Not really much difference at all to the naked eye unless you are looking for it.

[XMoshe]

I'm pretty sure a youtuber I watch (WoodysGamertag) uses a black magic and he plays almost exclusively on Xbox360. I can't find a video of him with it atm though >.< Maybe he uses it but records on 720p, I guess that's possible.

IMO Black Magic is overkill, 720p is more than enough for youtube videos and you (and the viewer) need quite the pc to render/edit/upload/view the videos in 1080p.

I can render 720p perfectly fine. I think 720p is plenty. 360p and 720p offer a HUGE difference. Not so much between 720 and 1080 on console because of the lack of a good graphics card in the console itself. Not really much difference at all to the naked eye unless you are looking for it.

Just stick with the HD PVR then. I'm not sure on the prices but unless it's only a 20 buck difference why bother dishing out the cash for the black magic if you don't mind rendering at 720p.

[Toshiharu]

Was reading up on them. Blackmagic can't do 1080p for xbox.. shit. It's can only do 1080p @24 frames and the xbox is displayed @ 60 frames so it returns no picture. Looks like the Hdpvr is what I'll be leaning towards because it has way more pros to cons and the Intensity seems to give a lot of problems in dealing with your computer.
I honestly don't see a difference between 720p and 1080p on xbox. So I'll deal with it. I'm just tired of having super awesome moments in a game or finding some weird ass glitch etc and not have anyway to rewatch/show it off.

EDIT: Apparently 1080p xbox recording hardware doesn't exist without tweaks.. Not going to buy something for $200+ just to modify it.

Most of the games aren't even native at 1080p. Why bother? Explains why you see no different between the two.

Sorry I have no idea about recording from the console/tv so I can't really comment on what would be better

[RuYi]

I have worked with both. Highly recommend the Hauppauge.

The BM can record through component cable and HDMI, and is installed in your computer.
You get a component cable with it, but if you want HDMI, you'll have to get the cable yourself.
The recording program comes with a nifty screenshot feature.
I really liked this card, but unfortunately, it broke. The customer service is excellent, I sent the card to them, and I was given a replacement for free. However, that one didn't last longer than a bunch of months. It might be me being unlucky, though.

After the 2nd one broke down, I got the Hauppauge HD PVR (not the gaming edition, btw), and it's been working for ages now and like the BM, it's very easy to use.
The Hauppauge records only through component cable, and records via USB.
Everything you need is included in the box, so you don't need to purchase anything else.
Unlike the BM, the recording program does not have a screenshot feature, but most video editing software have these, so I can't say I find it a loss.

My setup enables me to watch the feed on my computer and on TV as well. In the case of the BM, I could switch off my TV and just watch the recording feed on my computer. The Hauppauge however, displays a delayed feed on your screen, by about a second, so if you want to record gameplay, be sure you can watch the feed 'live' on your TV.
Neither of these requires a high end computer.

Other than that there's barely any difference. I could let people see footage record by both, and you couldn't tell which I used for recording.

Spoiler!

Here's footage recorded with the BM:


And here's the Hauppauge:

[William-CL]

Alright, Hauppauge it is. I totally forgot that most games aren't native at 1080p. I should have known that. I have heard way more pros than cons about the hdpvr. Seems the BM get's a lot of hate for not being very durable. If I get something this expensive, I'd rather it work for awhile. I'm getting the gaming edition. Not much difference, but seeing as that's what I'll be using it for it makes sense.
Thanks for the help guys