External video capture device recommendations

[Dos_Box]

It's Dos_Box Jr's birthday in a few months time and I'm looking at getting him a video capture device (he does YouTube'ing and video editing a lot).

It has to be an external box as he'll want to capture Xbox and Switch games too. I'm looking at this one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/AVerMedia-Live-Gamer-Portable-Plus/dp/B075TY4933 which ticks all the boxes with a bit of futureproofing built-in.

If anyone can think of a similar device for around the same price, please let me know so I can add it to the list for consideration.

[bald_pig]

I know that the Elgato devices are highly regarded in the streaming community:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgato-Game-Capture-HD60-PlayStation/dp/B01DRWCOGA/ref=sr_1_54?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1552910063&sr=1-54&keywords=elgato+hd60s

[Dos_Box]

Slightly more than I was looking at, but does have some very good features, although, given his age, I don't want him streaming his face.

I think something he can record on the edit down the footage + add commentary would be best for him.

[sted]

elgato devices to seem to be pretty much the default (other than possibly razor) and an elgato 60s (whats linked above) is about the same cost as the the one you linked above. I have one and the few times i used it ive had few issues (the only pc i have capable of running it was my laptop but its video card croaked). If your looking at something else id check if obs supports it as thats what most people are probably going to use to do capture from and theres lots of help out there for it

as to streaming face just dont plug in a web cam it only streams what you tell it to. it can also be set to dump to file (and anyone with any sense sets it to stream and keep a copy incase you get elgot

if you want to borrow it and see if its any good youre welcome atm its just gathering dust

Edited March 18, 2019 by sted

[SamanthaD]

The only thing I don't like about any of these so far is only 1 input - so if you want to change device you have to start unplugging things!

 

Which is why I'd have a look at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012T1D0IG?linkCode=g12&tag=ezvid-21 - 1 digital and 1 analogue input at least, so no need to go unplugging cables all the time.

[bald_pig]

If it's that much of an issue you can get a HDMI splitter for like a fiver.

[Dos_Box]

The only thing I don't like about any of these so far is only 1 input - so if you want to change device you have to start unplugging things!

 

Which is why I'd have a look at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012T1D0IG?linkCode=g12&tag=ezvid-21 - 1 digital and 1 analogue input at least, so no need to go unplugging cables all the time.

 

Well, his PC is in his bedroom, but the consoles are downstairs attached to the tv (he'll be recording only downstairs) as I don't want him up til silly o'clock playing games.

That and the consoles are for sharing!

Edited May 14, 2019 by Dos_Box

[DeGrimmy]

+1 for Elgato. I used their earliest model (the Elgato Game Capture HD) and it was great. The software was really nice and simple back then, although I know they've added loads of features since.

 

Mind you, that AverMedia is nice because of the recording to SD card, rather than directly to a PC like the Elgato. I used to use my laptop as the recording device so that my PC was not playing and recording at the same time. The SD card eliminates that problem.

[sted]

Well, his PC is in his bedroom, but the consoles are downstairs attached to the tv (he'll be recording only downstairs) as I don't want him up til sill o'clock playing games.

That and the consoles are for sharing!

 

if its a desktop pc that itself might be an issue hdmi cables dont like being that long and the device needs a connection to both usb to the pc control it and hdmi to do anything useful so unless youre moving the pc or the console its not going to be much use

[bald_pig]

if its a desktop pc that itself might be an issue hdmi cables dont like being that long and the device needs a connection to both usb to the pc control it and hdmi to do anything useful so unless youre moving the pc or the console its not going to be much use

 

That's why he was looking at the capture device that recorded to an SD card...

[Dos_Box]

That's why he was looking at the capture device that recorded to an SD card...

 

Indeed, it saves a lot of fuss this way. If he gets on with this then may get a better model in a couple of years time when technology should make capture devices a bit cheaper with more functionality.

We can hope, can't we?!