Post: PVR & Capture Card SD & HD [Info Look !]
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06-05-2011, 10:57 PM
#1
K-Snody
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I have been looking into this recently, and there is actually quite a few options for recording off your PS3 in Standard def or High def. Some options are quite pricey, and others are more reasonably priced. But I thought I would put together a little list of options, and maybe get you thinking about how creative you can actually get with all the adapters and neat cables out there. You would be surprised at what you can convert to, connect to, or whatever.
Table Of Contents:
*Recording Via Dvd Recorder
*Recording In SD, While Playing In HD
*Recording In HD
*Additional Links
*Recording Via Dvd Recorder
*Recording In SD, While Playing In HD
*Recording In HD
*Additional Links
Before I begin, I want to make sure everybody is on the same page on whats what in the audio/video world in terms of connections.
Composite video
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RCA - Red/white analog audio
S-Video
Component video
Optical audio (aka Toslink)
HDMI video/audio
Ok, now with that out of the way, lets begin with Standard def recording. There is a lot more options to recording in SD than I am going to list, as this is the most common way to record and you can find many, many options in this area. And can be pretty cheap solution to recording off the PS3.
Standard definition recording.(SD) Price: $50 - $150 (roughly)
Recording via your DVD recorder
Ok, a lot of us have DVD recorders that are primarily used to record our favorite cable TV shows, or off the family camcorders and whatnot. These can easily be used to record in SD (480i max)
How: There is two ways you can go about this depending on your recorders inputs. Some recorders have both Component inputs, and Composite inputs. Getting it hooked up with the composite video is pretty self explanatory. You just use the A/V out on the PS3 (that's included with every PS3) and hook it into one of the composite inputs on the DVD recorder, and then simply have video go back out to your TV.
Component is a little different, but still the same in principle. You may think, "Just go out with component to the recorder and back to the TV from the recorder". Yes, it can be this simple, but only if your not outputting a high def signal through the component video. I'd say 99-100% of the DVD recorders on the market today will not accept a HD signal through component, so if you try and do so you will not get a picture. In order to get any picture for recording, you need to make sure that your outputting 480i out from the PS3. (it might still work with output of 480p if your recorder can downscale it, but you will only get a 480i recorded video.)
NOTE: You may also be able to do with with s-video as well, but this requires extra cables (you would need to buy the s-video A/V cables specifically for the PS3) and I am not sure how many recorders have s-video in for recording.
NOTE #2: The PS3 is incapable of outputting simultaneously through HDMI and the A/V outputs. There has been people claiming their PS3 can do it, but don't count on it working. If that does work, then this will enable you to play with your HDTV via the HDMI cable, and record in SD via the composite video. Since I am not sure how this would work, you still may have to play in SD outputting over HDMi and composite video.
Other options: Using a similar method as above, you may also use a device called "Dazzle DVD recorder" (link (You must login or register to view this content.)) This is pretty much the same deal as with using the DVD recorder, except you would be using your computer to capture the video, and also this involves a few more steps as far as the cables are concerned.
The extra steps are well explained throughout the internet and more detailed instruction can be found on places like Youtube. Basically you want to 'duplicate' your RCA cables (the yellow composite video and the red/white audio), and split them into pairs. Splitters for RCA cables are very common. And if you haven't pictured what this would be, just think of one set of cables going to the Dazzle recorder, and the other set of cables going to your TV/receiver. The splitter will be something like this (You must login or register to view this content.).
NOTE: There is so many different ways to hook this all up, and it all really depends on your situation. Just be creative with your cables, and how you can hook everything up in the simplest way possible.
NOTE #2: Just like I mentioned above, there is various other devices you can buy that will do this. Just search around a bit to find the cheapest one that works right for you. You may also want to check out You must login or register to view this content. they have a SD recorder that will do this as well, but it may be a little more expensive. And they do also have a wireless solution as well.
Seems simple enough right? Well for some, not so much. Because what if you have a HDTV, and don't feel like switching to SD on that big beautiful HDTV in order to record? Your solution is below.
Recording in SD while playing in HD.
This solution is a bit more recent, but there is still quite a few options available. This is for the HDTV owners, who don't want to play in horrible looking SD while they record their gameplay. This is also a simpler solution to HDTV owners, even if they don't mind playing in SD like the methods mentioned above.
How: There is a device called Blitzbox: model 31 HD (You must login or register to view this content.) Basically, this is self explanatory as well. You just hook up your Component output from your PS3 to this box, then use the Component OUT from the box to go back to your TV. This will enable you to record your gameplay onto the computer, while still being able to output from the PS3 at 720p/1080p/i.
What happens here is the box itself will downscale the image, and record it onto the computer at 480p. But you don't have to switch the PS3 to SD, just feed the box your HD signal via the Component video, and it will do the rest. This is much easier than constantly having to manually switch the PS3 to SD just so you can record. Overall, this is the ideal solution for recording in SD.
Other options: There is another device called HAVA Platinum HD (You must login or register to view this content.). This is basically the same thing as the Blitzbox mentioned above, except is has a lot more options available to the user in both recording and functionality. It has Component inputs, S-video inputs, and Composite video inputs. With the component inputs, it should work in the same way as the Blutzbox, basically downscaling the HD video your feeding it to SD, but still allowing you to play with your HDTV in HD. This product costs a little more than the BlitzBox HD, but to some it may be just what your looking for.
NOTE: HDMI users you may be wondering.."Well, what about me? " And don't worry, the above devices can also be used with HDMI as well but its not as easy as plugging in the HDMI, because you actually have to do a bit of converting in order to make it work (since there is no HDMI inputs on either of these devices). I will describe this in detail in the next section, "Recording in HD." It will be relevant to you, even if you don't want to record in HD.
High definition recording. (HD) Price $250 - $460 (roughly)
Recording in HD
These following solutions are the end all for HD recording. They will allow you to play in glorious HD while recording in HD. These options are somewhat pricey, and are a bit more involved than the previous methods. They require more cables, adapters and converters (if your using HDMI). But its entirely possible to record from your PS3 in 720p, 1080i, and 1080p with outstanding quality.
Intro: There is two different products I am going to be covering here. One is the more practical solution for most people, and the other is pretty high class for only a select few. Lets start with the more practical solution.
Hauppaug HD-PVR. (You must login or register to view this content.) - Ok, here is the basic idea of how this works. You feed this device a HD component video feed, and it records it in the same resolution your giving it.(it has various features, please check the site for more details.) It also has a component video out that goes back to your TV, so no need for complicated splitting here. If you are using only a component video out from the PS3 then this is pretty much it. But if your using HDMI and want to figure out how to record using this box from your HDMI output, then please read on below.
HDMI recording, how to: If you read about the other methods of recording in SD while playing in HD and what to know how to do that with HDMI, this is how. And this also allows you to utilize the HD-PVR in recording in HD.
Ok, so let me explain a little bit about HDMI. HDMI is a all digital signal, and nowadays this is becoming more of the standard. The thing with HDMI is that it can easily be protected and the data sent over it encrypted. Making HDMI the better choice for anti-piracy by utilizing a copy protection also known as HDCP. With this, is why you don't really see any HDMI recorders on the market. And while there is a few (mentioned in next segment) they are quite strict in what you can and can't record. If the source of copy protected at all, you will not be able to record it. So due to this, there isnt many HDMI recorders on the market, at least none that are relatively good priced. But, there is a solution to this and that is converting the HDMI signal to a analog signal and using a analog recorder to record. This is also useful for when you have a HDMI device, but no HDMI input on your TV.
NOTE: Please do not use the next method for piracy, it is not intended for that so and I hope you are responsible enough not to do it. Please only use this for non-copywrited materials. Namely, recording your gameplay.
Alright, enough of the boring stuff. Here's how you do it. First you will need a few accessories. I will explain later what they will be used for.
- HDMI splitter. Splits 1 HDMI source, into 2 HDMI outputs. I personally purchased this one (link (You must login or register to view this content.))
- HDMI -> VGA -> Component converter(with audio). You can get one of these from this ebay seller. The guy has 100% positive rep and almost 9000 buyers...he has 100%+ for a reason. . (link (You must login or register to view this content. 9969QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262)) If this listing is gone when you read this, here is his eBay store (link (You must login or register to view this content.))
- And you may also want to pick up a extra HDMI cable and any other cables you may need
NOTE: the eBay item above comes with the cables needed for it, so don't worry about those.
NOTE: the eBay item above comes with the cables needed for it, so don't worry about those.
NOTE #2: There is another way to get the HDMI digital signal to analog. Which involves using a HDMI -> DVI adapter and then DVI -> VGA converter. But you will be paying a little more for this and it doesn't include audio.
EDIT: Thanks to BulletMagnet for the mention of HDFury EDIT on 8/29 - Ok, I am removing HDFury from this post, and all my posts. This product will NOT easily work for the application of recording your PS3's gameplay. Now while you can pay upwards of $400 to make it work, it will NOT work with a HDMI splitter. So if you intend to use a splitter and don't want to be ripped off, forget about this product. The people on the HDFury forums are also completely useless, they could not help me at all and treated me very poorly when I asked questions. The customer service for this product is absolutely horrible, and you must pay a arm and a leg to get this to work right. Because not only do you have to pay $150 (now reduced from $200) but you also have to pay another $150 for the RGB -> Component converter. The HDFury will not work by itself in conjunction with your component devices, you have to buy many extra accessories and cables only from the HDFury creators to get it to work. If you absolutely must buy this product, buy it from monoprice. They are selling it for $80 cheaper than the official HDFury website is, and its the same exact product, except for less. So I warn you, AVOID HDFury at all costs! Its practically useless unless you feel like wasting a lot of money to get a device that will only work by itself. If you want HDMI to goto your HDTV, forget about it...the Fury does not work with ANY HDMI splitters.
Hooking it all up: Once you have all these accessories, the process is pretty simple. Firstly, you need to split the HDMI connection into 2 HDMI connections (use the HDMI splitter). This will allow one HDMI to goto your TV (or receiver, however you have things connected) and the other HDMI will goto the HDMI -> VGA converter. After you have done this, the VGA converter will have a VGA to component adapter (which is included in that eBay package BTW), then from the component you go straight to the HD-PVR box. From here, your ready to rock and roll. Record from the HDMI source upto 1080i to your computer. Oh and the ebay HDMI -> VGA converter also includes a red/white audio out that you can also connect to the HD-PVR for audio. But you could also use the optical IN to the HD-PVR from another source for better quality audio.
NOTE: If you are wanting to use the non-HD recording methods with HDMI and with the Blitzbox/HAVA, you simply connect the component video and audio to those boxes using the above method.
Next, and last up, is the BlackMagic Intensity HDMI capture card. (You must login or register to view this content.) - Alright, this really doesn't require too much explaining. Its basically exactly what it sounds like. Its the very first HDMI capture card that you install into your computer to capture HDMI high def video and audio. if you have a really beefy computer that could actually handle this thing, then this may be the best solution for you. Check the site for more details.
NOTE: Since this is a direct HDMI capture method, this means all anti-piracy methods are in tact, and in full force. The second anything HDCP protected/copywrite protected goes over the HDMI, it will not record anything. And nowadays, who knows what exactly may end up being protected. For all I know anything the PS3 sends out over HDMI is protected and un-recordable no matter what your playing or doing on the PS3.
NOTE #2: There is various other ways to record in HD for a heck of a lot more money. But these two options are about as cheap as it gets.
Alright, that's enough of that. I hope this helps people who want to record some of their PS3's gameplay in HD or SD so they can share it with others. if you have any questions about hooking anything up, or questions about adapters converters, where to get them...or whatever don't hesitate to ask. Honestly, I hope some of you do ask so this thread I just spent 5 hours on doesn't goto waste 
Additional Links
Vimeo HD (You must login or register to view this content.) - Just think Youtube, except this place allows you to upload videos in 1280x720 HD resolution for free! Better sign up quickly before they start charging for this. As its probably not going to last being free and all.
Vimeo HD (You must login or register to view this content.) - Just think Youtube, except this place allows you to upload videos in 1280x720 HD resolution for free! Better sign up quickly before they start charging for this. As its probably not going to last being free and all.
Monoprice (You must login or register to view this content.) - Absolutely great place to buy cables, computer accessories, USB products/cables, HDMI, component, optical, speaker wire, adapters, converters, wires etc. They offer great products for incredibly cheap prices. Shipping is cheap and very fast
The following user thanked K-Snody for this useful post:
06-06-2011, 09:49 PM
#11
HappyBiscuit
Keeper
Thanks for the information, i'm planning to get one soon.
06-19-2011, 04:40 PM
#15
Joshhyyy-
I defeated!
Originally posted by Snody
Thanks for your feedback i have edited colors abit ,, i will edit multipages also 
---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 AM ----------
i dont know how to use multi page :/ :lol:
---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 AM ----------
i dont know how to use multi page :/ :lol:
its prettys simple there should be a button in the advanced edit that says pages
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