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Like its competitor AverMedia, Hauppauge is tweaking one of their most popular capture devices to make it ideal for gamers that want to record and stream their games. With the 1445 HD PVR Gaming Edition PVR, Hauppauge is looking to be the premiere device for the gamer that wants to show the world the games they play.
Where Did the Lag Go? - The original Hauppauge PVR had a substantial amount of input lag when you made use of the device‘s pass-thru. Then again, the device was made to record TV shows on your computer, not to record games while you’re playing them. To test out the lag for the Gaming PVR, I played an extensive amount of Super Street Fighter 4 AE, and I was able to pull off combos that have an input window of 4-5 frames. Elite players may note the input lag on the tougher 1-2 frame moves, but a vast majority of gamers will not notice a trace of lag.
Streamlined Software - With the Gaming PVR, there were a couple of programs provided by Hauppauge that weren’t the best in functionality. Once again, this was due to it being designed to record TV shows, not gaming. The software that comes with the Hauppauge, ArcSoft ShowBiz , is a welcome improvement over its predecessor. Capturing is simple as hitting the record button the software and there are three different formats available: .TS, .M2TS, and .MP4. Each format is the same quality and takes about the same amount of space on your hard drive, around 4-5 GB per hour of gameplay. The usage of MP4 is a definite plus being that it’s such a versatile format that any editing software can make use of without the need for converting. Speaking of editing, ArcSoft ShowBiz software also has a simple video editor for those lacking one. Don’t expect it to replace Final Cut Pro, but it’s much better than trying to use the Youtube editor.
Tons of Functionality in One Box - All the features of the original PVR are intact with this Gaming PVR. So if you want to record TV shows, you still have the means to do so. Also, for those looking to do streaming, the Gaming PVR still works great. There is still a compatibility issue with certain streaming software like Wirecast and Adobe Flash Media Encoder that can’t recognize the device since it uses H.264 compression, but streamers should make use of Xsplit Broadcaster program that can capture a portion of your screen on your computer to stream live. Another nice addition is the universal component cables that come with it, letting you use one cable to record any current-gen system.
CAPTURED MY WALLET
A Little Pricey - Currently the cheapest you’ll find the Gaming PVR is right around $200. That is a substantial amount of money for a capture device considering there are HDMI cards available for about one hundred dollars, analog capture devices for $60-70, and the also useful AverMedia Game Capture HD at $150. The difference is that the Gaming PVR does all the functions. It’s easy to use, doesn’t require a monster PC, records in HD, and lets you stream, BUT it’ll still set you back $200. It’s quite an investment, so be sure that your plans for the device will net you a return to make it worth the expense.
The Hauppauge 1445 HD PVR Gaming Edition is a phenomenal device. It literally has everything you need to stream and record their gaming in high-def. The price is steep, but being able to do so much with just one little box will make the cost worth it for those that want the best.
