Recomend a video capture card for an MBP

r3nu4l

I have a PS3 and would like to record some gameplay to my MBP.

I currently use HDMI to connect the PS3 to the TV.

Can anyone recommend a decent card (preferably USB) and how can I connect it all up?

Total newbie at this. Thanks in advance.

Inspector Gadget

I wouldn't consider myself knowledgeable about HDMI, but since no-one else has replied to this post, I thought I'd better do you the courtesy of saying _something_.

Basically, the issue with HDMI is that it's a beast with two distinct purposes; (1) high-bandwidth video and multi-channel audio connectivity over a single cable, and (2) a vehicle for big media and their desire to lock down the playback of their content as much as possible.

(2) is probably bad for you here. HDMI uses a copy protection scheme called HDCP, which is intended to prevent users from "intercepting" a video stream being sent to a monitor and redirecting it to, say, a recording device, in order to prevent people generating perfect dupes of the source content. HDCP isn't mandatory, as far as I know, however; it can be turned on and off. PS3's, being manufactured by Sony, are likely to have HDCP turned on all the time.

Add to this that the options for capture cards for Mac are quite limited, especially when you're trying to run them through a laptop. I know there's a company called Elgato that do mac capture cards (including some USB ones, which might suit you) but I doubt you'd get more than standard def out of them, because of the limitations of USB2; alternatively, the hardware would have to incorporate a hardware MPEG-4/AVC/something-like-that encoder, which means big bucks.

Alternatively, see if there's anything that'll fit in your Expresscard/54 slot.

Anyway, thought I'd better say something rather than leave a fellow bapster hanging
GE

J-blk

Inspector Gadget wrote: »

PS3's, being manufactured by Sony, are likely to have HDCP turned on all the time.

Correct. I have a PS3 and an older DELL monitor that only has DVI, not HDMI - going from the HDMI port of the PS3 to DVI on the monitor does not work, because the DVI port on that older monitor does not support HDCP... A workaround is to use component output from the PS3, instead of HDMI...

Inspector Gadget wrote: »

I know there's a company called Elgato that do mac capture cards (including some USB ones, which might suit you) but I doubt you'd get more than standard def out of them, because of the limitations of USB2;

Again, correct . Elgato makes some pretty cool TV tuners and most of them have inputs, but these are only SD composite inputs - which produce a crap SD signal from the PS3, there is no HDMI (or component even) input for an HD signal (and yes, most likely due to limitations of USB2).

I've actually never heard of anything with an HDMI input for a Mac or PC - my guess is that manufacturers don't want it at all, as it might facilitate recording from an external source on the computer (a bulls**t "concern" obviously, but look at the mess CableCARD tuners have been in the US for similar "concerns").

I think there are some professional grade capture cards that do component-in, but they are not USB2 and cost crazy amounts of money...

r3nu4l

Cheers folks, that's the answer I need Looks like I'll just have to use component interface instead

Thanks GE
o/ BAPS