Recording from a Component Video Cable

[CÆÐR]

Hello. I would like to be able to record audio and take screenshots from my console using its component video cable. "Capture card" comes to mind, and I assume there's some kind of converter (from component to...HDMI?) involved, but I'm just guessing. I don't know much about it other than my computer can totally handle it no problem. Could someone with the knowhow please give me the rundown on what I'll need, and any helpful tips?

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

You have two options you can use capture card, or capture device which doesn't need a PC to capture things. Depending how deep you want to go for quality, is mainly how far will you go.

Tell me how much you think you might spend for one, and I check if I can find a good one for the right price or lower to your needs.

Tell us your full spec, *hardware and OS* or model of the PC.
If you want to make it easy on yourself, run CPU-Z, click validate button to the right bottom, and click the submit, your broswer will open, copy the whole link and paste it here in the discussion please.

http://i.imgur.com/aJIzuos.png

CPUZ
http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/cpu-z_1.77-en.exe

[tillah]

You'll need something like an elgato, what console are you using?

[RRW359]

You'll need some kind of capture device. Look on Amazon and there should be plenty of options. Just make sure:
1. It's compatible with the version of Windows you are running (and that includes 32 vs 64 bit)
2. It connects through an *interface your computer is compatible with.
3. It either comes with its own capture software or can easily be made compatible with something like VLC.

*Although there are others, the kind you probably want is a PCIE card. USB is also a good option, but just as a warning, I don't know the bandwidth of high-quality component video, so you may want to be sure you have USB 3.0 ports. There are also cheap PCI cards (most modern MOBO still have one or two normal PCI ports), but I would make extra careful that it works on modern machines, as most of those were designed in the 32-bit era.

[CÆÐR]

Thanks, RRW359. That sounds like information that'll come in handy. :)

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds:

You have two options you can use capture card, or capture device which doesn't need a PC to capture things. Depending how deep you want to go for quality, is mainly how far will you go.

Tell me how much you think you might spend for one, and I check if I can find a good one for the right price or lower to your needs.

Tell us your full spec, *hardware and OS* or model of the PC.
If you want to make it easy on yourself, run CPU-Z, click validate button to the right bottom, and click the submit, your broswer will open, copy the whole link and paste it here in the discussion please.

Well, quality is always nice. And my assumption was it'd cost me a couple hundred dollars. Here are my specs: http://valid.x86.fr/jpkjp2

Originally posted by Killah Tillah:

You'll need something like an elgato, what console are you using?

Super Famicom and Famicom. I have a component video cable for my Super Famicom from HD Retrovision, and it might work on my Famicom as well. Tho, if not, I'll have to use use composite for that.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

I'm just gonna give you one site, and one brand, but 4 devices to pick from, it's mainly up to you, but for the best it have to be the Elgato series.

Type 1

$130 brand new, Elgato Systems Game Capture HD, does everything, from old to newest consoles support, but doesn't do 1080p 60FPS.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00840353W?th=1

https://help.elgato.com/customer/portal/articles/1020263

Type 2

$150 brand new, Elgato Game Capture HD60. <--- 1080p 60fps.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIQ40JQ?th=1

If you need to use component, or composite for HD60.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed7VRnYofgc

Type 3

$170 brand new, Elgato Game Capture HD60 S
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DRWCOGA?th=1

Elgato Game Capture HD60 S, not 100% sure, but site for it said it doesn't support any analog inputs, only unencrypted HDMI sources, so meaning it won't accept anything if it's not right from the HDMI device itself. *I could be wrong, because I don't know much about it.*

https://help.elgato.com/customer/en/portal/articles/2368635-elgato-game-capture-hd60-s-does-not-support-component-composite-or-s-video?b_id=360

The good thing about HD60 S is that has instant gameview, and use USB 3.0, which is great for a lot of things.

Type 4

$170 brand new, Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro - PCIe
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014MQIVPS?th=1

It's the same as the HD60 s, but you can use converters for the component, or composite, but can't comment if the audio gonna to be good, or not because it depends how good the source from the converter. Also you get the highest quality, and great file size reduse, thanks to the software for this PCIe card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IrLWdd5ick

IMO, I would look at the HD and HD60, as they can support any console you want for recording.

[CÆÐR]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds:

IMO, I would look at the HD and HD60, as they can support any console you want for recording.

Thank you very much, Dr.Shadowds! I'm leaning toward option 4: the HD60 Pro - PCIe. I like that I can put it into my computer and it'll be nice and safe, and out of my way (one less piece of clutter). As for converters, you wouldn't happen to have a recommendation for that as well, would you? High quality audio is a must. :)

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Kæðer:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds:

IMO, I would look at the HD and HD60, as they can support any console you want for recording.

Thank you very much, Dr.Shadowds! I'm leaning toward option 4: the HD60 Pro - PCIe. I like that I can put it into my computer and it'll be nice and safe, and out of my way (one less piece of clutter). As for converters, you wouldn't happen to have a recommendation for that as well, would you? High quality audio is a must. :)

I'm not sure what to recommend for converters, that you have to resreach on.

[CÆÐR]

Alrighty. Wish me luck then! Thank you for your help. You're the best.