My review is not only going to be about the Elgato HD, but also in comparison to the HD PVR 2. Most people looking at this product will probably have seen that product as well, both new on the market & HDMI external capture cards.
SIZE COMPARED TO THE HD PVR 2: The Elgato HD is very small,probably less than a fourth of the size of the HD PVR 2. There is not much to say on this. It's very small & can fit really anywhere, no need to clear any space for it at all. But don't underestimate its size, it packs all the HD punch you'll need.
SETUP COMPARED TO THE PVR 2: It's EXTREMELY SIMPLE to set up. I'm am a technical kinda guy, so I have no problem installing or going through troubleshooting for products, but I know for some easy setups are a big plus. Literally all I did to setup was plug in the HDMI from my Xbox to the Elgato HD, then another HDMI from my Elgato HD to my monitor (or TV for most of you), & I instantly had a picture on my screen (after the power of course). Then there is the USB to Mini USB cable that goes from the Elgato HD to my computer. That is for both the power to the product (a big plus, & a minus for some, I will explain below) & the USB also is the data transfer for the video files. For the PVR 2, it's not too hard to setup. Same setup with the HDMI in & out, & the USB for data transfer, but with the PVR 2 you have an extra cable for power which plugs into a wall socket, so that will take up a plug in your house, plus it's just another cord to add to the mess. Not too much of a difference, but the USB power for the Elgato is great......HOWEVER.......if you are using a laptop or similar device, this may be an issue. For me, I have a desktop computer & even when my computer is in sleep mode, or turned all the way off, the USB ports still receive power. This is amazing for me. I don't have to have an extra cord like the PVR 2 for a wall socket, it powers the elgato at all times since my USB ports have 24/7 power. However if you are using a laptop, or desktop that doesn't have USB power at all times like when it's turned off, this might be a hassle. I'm pretty sure that the majority of PC's now days have this feature, but I'm not sure about laptops, so you'll want to run a test on any USB product on your PC to see if it gives power at all times. If it doesn't give power at all times, it's not a big deal. However if your computer goes to sleep or turns off there will be no power for the Elgato, & so you'll recieve no image on your TV. You could always plug the USB into your Xbox/PS3 console for power so that would be a simple fix. However that would require plugging & re plugging, but for someone with a laptop out in the open that wouldn't be too big of a deal. But for me & my computer that gives off 24/7 USB power (test yours out) this is a great feature & I really like it more than any other capture card I have owned (4 of them over the years).
SOFWARE COMPARED TO THE PVR 2: The software was REALLY simple, I was so surprised. Usually (with any software, not even gaming related) you have to sit for a bit while it installs, click OK a bunch of times etc. The Elgato doesn't even have a CD.....it just gives you a web link in the box. You go to the link & click download (it's a link to their website) & the download is very quick & after that, you are all done! You may want to custimize your settings of course (I increased my bit rate & record in 720p as it is my preference) but there is no more setup required. After that, all you have to do is record. For the HD PVR 2 you have to install Drivers (step 1) then unplug your PVR & replug it. Then you have to install the software (step 2) & repeat the "power cycle" & un plug & re plug again. Then you are pretty much set. You will not get an image on your TV until you have completed the setup with all the drivers & software completed & ran the recording software at least once, then you're pretty much ready to go. Once again the Elgato is much simpler than the PVR. The Elgato install took me less than 5 minutes. The PVR probably took me 10-20, not too big of a deal though, but easier is nicer!
RECORDING SOFTWARE: Both programs are pretty simple with a handy Start & Stop record button. However I prefer the Elgato softare. On the Elgato software you can name the file before recording. For example, if you are recording a Call of Duty match, you can title it "Call of Duty TDM". There is even a space for the game you are playing you could type "Call of Duty", & a description as well if you really want to add detail. But you don't have to do those things if you don't want to, they are optional. I PREFER THIS OVER THE PVR. Why? This is what a typical PVR file will look like! "2012_10_23_19_7_49". It mashes the date, time, year, etc. all into a big number seperated by underscores, & that is your file name. This is not a big deal, because you can always go back & change the file name to whatever you want afterwards, so that's easy. BUT....trust me....(I used the PVR 1 component version for over a year, same output for file names)....when you get an entire folder full of files named that, there's no easy way to know what anything is. You basically have to sit down & watch everything. If you forgot to save a file & put it aside you'll have to look through all the random number files & find it. Using the PVR 1, I basically became a master at this lol, & could find what I needed fast, but for a new user it might be confusing. I like labeling my files before I record, that way there's no need to go back & rename things or try to find certain files, they are all already organized & named how I want them.
EDITING SOFTWARE: Unfortunately, I do not have a say in this. Both programs have a very simple editing program. When I say simple, I mean simple, like Windows Movie Maker simple, or even simpler. Don't get me wrong if you are new to editing, sure this will work just fine for you. There's nothing wrong with either editing program, just too simple for me. Personally, I've been using Sony Vegas for almost 3 years now. It's a complex program but once you learn how to use it it's amazing. But small talk aside, sorry I do not have too much of an input on them, because I just took a look & tested them out, I haven't really used either. Too simple for an experienced editor like myself. This however leads me to my main point..............
WHAT KILLED THE PVR 2 FOR ME & MADE THE ELGATO HD: The PVR 2 had files that often came out corrupted. They would be viewable on your computer but once you import them into Sony Vegas sometimes they would just be a green screen, & there was no fixing it! I found out (I think) the solution to that problem. If you have a PVR 2, make sure to turn OFF "Hardware Acceleration", that cause the green screen issue as far as I know. I read some reviews & feedback & noticed someone having the same problem & someone suggesting that. After I unchecked it, I didn't have that problem any more. So.....that problem got solved. You may ask then what was the big issue? Hauppauge claims that the PVR's MP4 files will work great with Sony Vegas. See, I could be sympathetic if the files conveniently didn't work in my editing program of choice. However, Hauppauge lists as a feature for their product, that the PVR 2's files are made specifically to work cooperatively with Sony Vegas, & will work in the program just fine. This is not just some little quote I found out in the middle of no where, it is a big feature they list with the other features for their product. The files did not work well in Sony Vegas. After I fixed the green screen issue, my files had trouble rendering. I would render files (I tried about 4 different files types & about 10 different settings on each), the videos would have skippy frame rates. NOW, please note that I have been using this program for 3 years as I mentioned above. I know almost everything about the program, & have rendered thousands of times. As an experienced user of the program they claim works well with their files, I tried many things. Nothing worked. The rendered product (for the most part) would be very nice. However randomly during the video I would get skippy frame rate. Typically during a high action sequence, or really just any random time. The weird thing is the original playback on my PC was fine in those parts, it's just in Sony Vegas. So after trying everything I gave up. I have owned 3 other capture cards: Hauppauge HD PVR 1 component version, Black Magic Intensity Pro, & now the Elgato HD, none of which have given my any issues in Sony Vegas (besides an occasional freeze, but not an issue with the files or anything). I tried rendering & the skippy frames would always be in the same spots, & there was just no getting rid of them. I have a YouTube channel with 10 thousand + subscribers, so things like this make a big difference to me, & I don't want my viewers to have to see skippy frame rates 3-4 times in a 10 minute video. This may seem minor, & it's not like you can't tell what's going on, but it's skippy & choppy, unacceptable in my opinion. I purchased the Elgato because I really wanted a HDMI capture card (external) as I only use my internal HDMI cap (black magic) when I am live streaming. I have had no problems in Sony Vegas with this product, & am very satisfied for the most part, I really don't have any complaints. Now about the PVR 2, I thought, hey........even though I have a $2k personally customized computer with a six core processor, 16GB of ram, & a great graphics card....maybe it was an issue with my PC, & maybe after using Sony Vegas for 3 years & trying 30 test renders I just didn't get the right settings.......but my friends had this issue as well. They didn't mention the skippy frames, but other YouTubers that I am friends with who bought this product also switched to the Elgato, as they use Sony Vegas as well. It's one of the most used editing softwares out there. They also mentioned that the PVR files didn't work well in Sony Vegas at all (they didn't say specifics) but this confirmed in my head that I'm glad I don't feel like an idiot for doing something wrong, & this is an issue with compatibility with Sony Vegas. Sorry for the long winded review on this part, I just wanted to be clear on what made or breaked the PVR vs Elgato for me. They are very similar, & the Elgato usually outmatches the PVR in every category just by a little bit, but nothing made a big of a difference as this. So what is the PVR 2 has great quality....if it won't work in my editing program (the one they claim as a feature to be compatible with) I will not be able to use the product. I bought both off Amazon, I will be shipping back my PVR this week for a return.
IN CONCLUSION: The Elgato outmatches the PVR 2 in every category by just a little bit, but enough to make a difference. The make or break point was the fact that the PVR 2 often produces corrupted files, or files that are not usable in Sony Vegas. Maybe problems in other editing programs too? I just know the files didn't work well in my Sony Vegas, as well as a few of my friends as well. It may not be that way for everyone, but for me it was & made me return the PVR 2. (besides that, I actually really liked the PVR 2 though! But it was too big of an issue & it kept reoccurring, so I had to return =/) I have been using the Elgato for a few weeks no with no problems. I really like it! It comes with a PS3 cable & an HDMI cable, but I bough 2 of my own HDMI cables to use with the product from a good brand. It has been working great!
I give the Elgato an 8.5/10. PVR 2 more of a 6/10. The PVR 2 suffers in my book due to it's editing issues, which Hauppauge may solve, besides that issue with editing software (Sony Vegas), they would have been a pretty close match. I would have still said the Elgato was just a little bit better than the PVR 2. They are both about the same price, so I'de go with this one if I were you! This is just my opinion though, everyone is entitled to their own, but it's been working great with no problems for me.
I hope this helped somebody!
| Brand | Corsair |
|---|---|
| Item model number | 10025010 |
| Hardware Platform | Personal Computer |
| Operating System | Mac |
| Item Weight | 1.25 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 4.35 x 3 x 1 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.35 x 3 x 1 inches |
| Color | black |
| Voltage | 22 Volts |
| Manufacturer | Elgato |
| ASIN | B00840353W |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | February 5, 2012 |
