I’m going to discuss the top 3 capture cards and maybe it will help you to determine which one is best for your needs. Below is my video where I record PS3 gameplay with the Roxio Card.
TIP: Remember to set the youtube settings above to 720p so that you can view the video in HD.
If you want to record PS3 gameplay, edit your videos, and then post them to the internet (YouTube, etc), then you will need a Capture Card. Below are the three most popular choices:
Which Capture Card Should You Get?
Which one should you get? It depends… I’ll break each one down for you:
Dazzle Capture Card
The Dazzle is cool and the least expensive out of the three, but it does NOT record in HD. It only has rca type connections (red, white, & yellow) and an S-video connection. None of those will give you 720p HD quality. You will only get a maximum of 480 SD (Standard Definition) from the Dazzle card. You will also need to buy rca signal splitters and rca cables so that you can split the signal allowing you to play on your TV while you record the gameplay to your computer. My opinion is that the dazzle recordings are blurry and hard to read any text on the screen. However, many videos that I see online are low quality 480p vids, so if this is no concern for you (or you are on a tight budget) then you should get the Dazzle card.
Roxio Capture Card
The Roxio card is my favorite card and the one we keep plugged in at home. It records in 720p HD quality (as you can see by the videos that I have posted to this site [make sure you set the youtube settings to 720p]). YouTube lowers the quality a bit, but I have a tip later. The price is mid range between the Dazzle and Hauppauge. The Roxio card is a Pass-thru card and therefore you can simultaneously play & record in HD. The Roxio card comes with its own editing software which is basically like a multi track recorder. You can add voiceovers, text overs, combine and crop videos, etc. This card is my favorite as it is medium priced but yet delivers true HD quality videos, and I love the recording/editing software. Learn more here: Roxio Game Capture
Hauppauge Gaming Edition
This card is the absolute best if you have the money. It records at 720p as well as 1080i. You can’t get better than that. It uses component cables (just like Roxio), but also has an additional optical port for audio. It is however the most expensive of the three cards as it costs $100 more than the Roxio card, and that is the ONLY reason that I prefer and recommend Roxio over this card. I myself don’t mind recording in Roxio’s 720p as it is true HD and I dont think many can tell the difference between the two resolutions. However, if you have the budget to spend, and want the absolute best, then go for this card. Find out more here: Hauppauge Gaming Edition
Take a look at the comparison chart below to see some of the differences in the 3 Capture Cards.
| Dazzle Plus | Roxio Game Capture | Hauppauge 1445 Gaming Edition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | |||
| Video Editing Software |  |
|
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| Export Direct To Youtube | |
|
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| HD Recording |  |
|
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| PassThru Device | |
|
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| Play in HD while You Record | |
|
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| Video Connections | RCA | HD Component Cables | HD Component Cables |
| Audio Connections | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo & Optical |
| Highest Recording Resolution | 480 (NON-HD) | 720p HD | 1080i HD |
| Costs | Lowest | Mid Range | Highest |
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|
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Roxio Ease of use:
I used Roxio and did the Youtube video below about 5 minutes after I opened the box. It was just that easy to setup. If you plan to record PS3 gameplay, or xbox gameplay, or even wii, Then it’s pretty much your best bet as far as price and quality. Below is another video I created with the Roxio card. Remember to set the youtube settings to 720p so that you can watch the video in HD.
How To Record PS3 Gameplay
OK so let me explain how to record ps3 gameplay using the Roxio Game Capture… Ready? Just launch the included software, press record, and when you’re finished press ‘stop’, edit the video, then upload directly to YouTube. That’s it.. lol. Simple right? Yep.
I initially went with the Roxio product because I had already been using Roxios DVD Creator and I think it’s a solid product, therefore I assume they make solid products. And I was not let down at all. The Roxio card is a great card and easy to use. It comes with it’s own game capture software which is pretty straight forward. It allows you to:
- set hot keys for record and stop
- edit and splice your videos
- create snapshots from your videos
- add text, voiceovers and even webcam commentary to your videos
- merge multiple videos together
- export your videos straight to youTube
SET UP
The Roxio package comes with the capture card, video editing software, and connection cables. Just connect the box, install the software, and you’re ready to go.
It literally only took me 3 minutes to set this up and start recording my game. It came with all of the cables except for the PS3 component cable. Most people already have this cable, but I was using hdmi for my normal play, so I just ended up taking the component cable from my old PS2 console. Yes the PS3 can use the PS2 component cable, Thankfully. : )
Take the PS3 component cable and connect it to the ‘Component Video In’ on the capture card. Then use the supplied component cables to connect the capture card to your TV. Then connect your laptop to the capture card with the supplied USB cable.
If that all sounds confusing, well take a look at the diagram below – maybe that will clear it up a bit. PS3, Capture Card, TV, and Laptop. : )
Well that’s it… If you want to record ps3 gameplay and create high quality videos then you know my recomendation… Roxio Game Capture…
