Q: I recently bought an EasyCap video capturer in order to record some gameplay from my Xbox 360. I knew the EasyCap only came with the "composite" video connections, but I didn't think the end result would be as grainy and pixel-y as it turned out to be. Is there a CHEAP way to go about recording the Component signal straight from the Xbox 360, either straight onto a DVD Recorder or straight into my computer? I've looked up DVD Recorders, but very very few come with Component input connections. In fact after a couple days of searching I have found just one (1) DVD Recorder that does it. Today I found the Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR High Definition Personal Video Recorder, but it's a little pricey and I'm worried that the video quality will end up being just as pixel-y and choppy thanks to my old/slow computer. Does anyone know how I can somehow get the Xbox's Component signal recorded so I can make/edit movies for later DVD burning/viewing? Thanks
A: If you want to make DVD's from your gaming sessions, keep in mind, that standard DVDs only have a resolution of 720x480 when recording in NTSC or 720x576 when recording in PAL. So there really is no need to shell out that much money for a HD capturing device. Especcially if you keep in mind that you will need a high speed RAID harddisc array to keep the recording up with the incoming data. Just get a good standard resolution capturing card, that allows you to capture from a S-Video Plug and buy the S-Video cable for the Xbox. This way, you will get much better picture quality than Composit, as luminance and color information are sent trough different lines in the S-Video cable. If you really want HD quality capturing, you will need a fast RAID system and Microsoft uses a Blackmagic Pro card to capture HD content from the Xbox. However, they only use it to make the end product a HD recording, too. For your DVD needs, a good standard capturing card is the thing you need.