Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2014/05/12/review_gaming_elgato_game_capture_hd_hauppauge_hd_pvr_rocket/
What the frag? Earn millions as the world watches you SLAY rivals
Well, in theory ... Elgato vs Hauppauge gaming video capture kit deathmatch
Posted in Personal Tech, 12th May 2014 09:19 GMT
Review After learning how much Swedish gamer PewDiePie earns in a year from his YouTube channel (reportedly $7m for 3.7 billion views), I recommend everyone buys an HD capture device and starts uploading gaming videos.
You never know, perhaps you too can cash in before the filming-your-reactions-while-gaming bubble bursts... But seriously, how little or how much does it cost and what do you get if you fancy a foray into gaming video capture? It seemed like a good idea to test a couple of devices to find out.
Elgato Game Capture HD relies on a mini USB port for power and capture to a Mac or PC
As a games reviewer, the ability to capture high quality video content from PC or consoles with a nifty super portable box is indispensable, and whatever your internet fanbase, being able to upload an HD video of death by Angry Chicken in Hearthstone couldn’t be simpler.
What might make matters a little more difficult is deciding on which capture box to buy. I’ve been using both the Hauppauge PVR Rocket and the Elgato Game Capture HD lately and I can see the appeal in both.
The USB port at the front of the Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket enables recording to a USB thumb drive
Take the Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket: this is basically a plastic box with a big red button that’s so light it was easy to dismiss as cheap and flimsy. However, this featherweight piece of kit packs an extraordinary punch with its impressive recording quality and general reliability.
It’s supremely portable – being compact and USB powered – making it especially useful at any press event where all I need is two cables and a USB port to save my preview footage of the latest blockbuster gaming title.
Party at the back: The HD PVR Rocket
By contrast, the Elgato Game Capture HD is definitely a step up, although it has a price to match. Sleek and glossy-looking, it has superior editing software as well as being excellent for live streaming – perfect for Twitch or any live stream event.
Setting up both units required downloading the latest capture software - the Rocket also had a firmware update which sorted out some sound issues. It also had software issues with Windows 7 and some overlapping tabs in the main interface, so the YouTube tab was obscured.
Besides HDMI in, the other end of the Elgato features analogue video interfacing
Although the Elgato ran without a hitch on Windows 7, I discovered it didn’t record the sound with Windows 8 on a freshly arrived Gigabyte Brix Pro – which might have been more to do with the Brix Pro needing some setup tweaks here and there that I didn’t get to the bottom of.
I’m guessing it was finger trouble as Elgato’s forums don’t appear overrun with complaints of no sound. No doubt the culprit was among the possible issues highlighted on the Elgato site. Did I accidentally press the mute button? It could have been bigger and brighter, right?
Capture the flag?
With the Rocket, recording couldn’t get any simpler. For me, its main selling point is that there’s one whopping red button you press to start and stop recording. Capture on the Elgato is rather more complicated, as initially you have to flip out of the game to start recording, but then again it does have Flashback recording as well. This latter uses a buffer, allowing you to wind back gameplay and record from a specific point – you can go back an hour should you wish.
Elgato and Hauppauge basic capture interfacing – click for a larger image
Configuration is much the same on both units, consisting of simply connecting HDMI or component cables from the console into the gaming PVR. The HDMI output from the gaming PVR goes into the TV. The USB from the PVR goes into the console or PC to power the device. It can also used to relay the video to a PC for recording – with the Elgato supporting Macs too.
While Apple fans might grumble about the Rocket’s lack of support for the platform, the device does include the option to use USB thumb drives of up to 32GB for capture in standalone mode. See what I mean about the Rocket being portable? Record this way and you end up with MP4 files, which iMovie shouldn’t have any problems with.
Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket software editing – click for a larger image
The Rocket's highest capture bit-rate is 18Mbps and it records high-def H.264 compressed vids at resolutions of up to 1080i. The vid-capture software produces .TS files on the PC, which can be exported to MP4. The Elgato can capture at up to 30Mbps and is H.264 MP4 all the way. On both devices the bit rate can be varied by altering the capture quality. If you experience problems with HDCP on video streams, the analogue component video capture option on both devices can overcome this.
The reason why these boxes are so great is that there’s no lag – unlike if you were to run Fraps – a Windows-only software-based capture system. Even with a blisteringly fast gaming PC, Fraps is going to eat my frame rate. In tests, I mainly recorded from my PC but recording HD footage from my PS3 using component cables was super-simple too.
Elgato Game Capture HD – click for a larger image
Certainly, I’m impressed at the ease of use and quality of the recorded video and audio – it’s way better than any SDI plug-in capture card I’ve seen recently. Reliving moments from Men of War: Assault Squad 2 running at 1080p 30fps is enough to make me a little dewy-eyed.
The fact that I have a super squeaky voice when I get excited, is probably one of the reasons why I will never be filling in for Dodger from pressheartcontinue. Even though there’s a built-in audio control on both units for me to record in-game commentary, I don’t think you’ll be hearing my dulcet tones any time soon. But if you do feel like a bit of fast-yapping Yahtzee action, just plug your mic into the 3.5mm jack socket.
The Reg Verdict
Amazingly portable and easy to use, the Hauppauge HD PVR Rocket and the Elgato Capture HD produce good-quality video and audio. I do feel the editing and streaming software on the Elgato is superior but the recording accessibility of the Rocket's one-touch big red button makes it a comparable product.
My only mega-moan would be for a screenshot button on the physical units or at least some kind of remote control to click for screen shots while I’m playing. That said, they’re both definitely worth considering, especially with the prospect of making a million quid a year. Just call me Luciepie. ®
More YouTube gaming vids from the deathmatch here.