Review – Roxio Game Cap Console Capture Device
About a week ago we posted an article about Roxio’s newest gem in the hardware industry, the Roxio Game Cap device. The device makes it very possible, and simple, to record your console gameplay (whether it be PS3 or Xbox 360), save it on your PC, edit the video, and even post it to Youtube or Facebook! I was lucky enough to receive one of these devices, and I have been toying with it nonstop. Roxio also will be introducing PC game capture software, but we have a bit to wait on it. This is our review for the Roxio Game Cap console capture device.
I will admit that I am a newbie when it comes to capturing gameplay video. I’ve just begin to dabble in the realm of Let’s Plays, and my video editing skills, although more advanced than some, are a bit rusty. One of the cool things about this device is the ability to plug-and-play. Setup was simple, and the software has an amazing interface. For now, let’s focus on the device itself.
The device is essentially just a black box, like you see above. It comes packaged with a set of composite video cables, composite audio cables, and a USB cable to connect the device to your PC. Setup is extremely simple:
- Plug the component cables into the [OUT] side of the box, and then to your television.
- Connect the component cables from your system to the {IN] portion of the device.
- Plug the USB cable into the device, and then into your PC.
- Let the drivers install, and hardware setup is complete!
Roxio even put a diagram on their website so you folks who are more visual can see it (click to enlarge):
So the hardware setup is very easy, really. In mere minutes I had the device connected to my PS3 and everything was a go.
Now, on to the software setup. The device comes packaged with software that will not only allow you to use it, but it will allow you to edit and share your gameplay videos. Once you install the software (which is easy as well), then you’re ready to open it up and begin capturing gameplay.
This is what you will be looking at while you prepare to capture gameplay. The interface is simple: set up the source (which will be your Game Cap device), edit the settings (I used MPEG4, medium quality AVI), set the destination for where your video will go, then get capturing! Now like I mentioned before, I am still a newbie at this, so my settings are all over the place. I am going to try and fiddle with things some more and see where it takes me. So far my videos have come out a bit fuzzy and small, which I assume is because of my settings. the device captures only in 480P, so it’s not perfect, but it gets the job done. I recommend looking around the internet to see which settings are best.
Once you capture your gameplay, you can edit the captured video in the software you see above. It’s much like Adobe Premiere, but without the fanciness. The software does have a lot of editing effects such as transitions, wipes, fades, audio tracking, and much more. It’s a perfect all-in-one set of software that is perfect for what it’s set out to do. You can even add narration to your video if you have a microphone, which makes creating Let’s Play videos a breeze. There are still a few settings that I haven’t messed with yet, but in due time I will get to them. Once you finish editing your masterpiece you can then set the software to export it out to your PC in a video file of your choosing. I will warn you, adding effects and narration will cause the video file to be pretty large, so you may want to download a file conversion program to help shrink the size.
Posted below is a video containing raw gameplay footage that I captured using the device. I am playing Black Ops on the PS3, and it’s only about five minutes worth of video, but it’s enough for you to see what you’re getting. Again, my settings could be a bit off, so it may look a bit odd at first. I plan on recording much more footage and playing around with the exporting settings as well, just to see what I get.
Overall the Roxio Game Cap is a diamond in the rough, so to speak. I have been looking for quite some time for a device such as this, and Roxio delivered. The device is easy to set up, the software is very user-friendly, and I am very happy with the end result. The only issue is that the device records in 480P, so things aren’t as crisp as they could be. Could we possibly see HDMI recording on the horizon? I’d like to think so. For $99.99 you can’t really beat the Roxio Game Cap. There aren’t any cards to fool with, no scrambling to find drivers, and no worrying about what software to use. Roxio created the ultimate package with this device, and I urge you to pick one up for yourselves.
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14 Responses to “Review – Roxio Game Cap Console Capture Device”
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Hi, if you want to record in a better resolution, the Hauppage HD PVR will do a better job for you.
It can record in H.264 up to 1080i from any component source and come with a good editing tool and a scheduling tool. I use it to record HD TV from my cable HD terminal. You can have a look also at the Hauppage Colossus witch have also a HDMI input.
Hi Raine Hutchens,
Get me out a doubts. The RGC capture to 480p@30fps or 480p@60fps? Have MPEG2 capture or AVI only??
Tks
Claudio
I love the new Roxio Game Cap. I have owned almost all kinds of capture devices like the dazzle, HD PVR, Blitzbox. The Roxio Game Cap I think is better than all of them and heres why.
Blitzbox does a good job able to stream on justin.tv but the quality is not better than even the dazzle and the backorder on the shipping is outrages.
HD PVR yes quality is great but couple things. You need a great PC to run it number 1. And you won’t be able to stream this on site like justin.tv unless you use a screen capture which again takes up a lot on your PC.
Roxio Game Cap allows you to play in 1080i HD and the recording is great for youtube plus it allows you to stream cause justin.tv recognizes it. Plus you won’t have to spend 220 its just 80.
Just to let you know, the cables that are included and that you plug into the capture device from your console to the gamecap are actually component cables, not Composite (Composite is the yellow one)
Also does this record in HD or SD?
It´s record in SD only (480p@60fps)
But you can upsacle to 720p with nice filters.
Look this (480p to 720p):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0b4kMUsb-Q
Claudio
None of the reviews mention this device’s screen capture ability (which is advertised as it being able to do). Is this also limited to 480p resolutions? I can live with making 480p videos, but I’d like to be able to take an HD resolution screen shot here and there.
I have done everything right but on the laptop it say’s i cannot find driver, can anyone help me?
HELP!! It works fine, but when I play in 720p or 1080i while its plugged in, all the little detailed things get a slight fuzzy edge on the TV, and on the computer when it’s recording has these slightly transparent purple and green bars scrolling up the screen. WTF?! Everything on the TV is prefectly clear when i don’t go thru the game cap but just go from the xbox to the tv. help!
The roxio game capture is great but when i plug it into my tv, the tv screen has all of these random colors and i can only see what’s going on, on the Xbox… i have no idea what to do, it seems like all of you are fine with the tv. i want to do MW2 live gaming but its really hard when you play on a small computer screen.
Does it work on the Mac too? Cuz i dont know if the drivers Williams work..
Well thanks
I’m getting a Roxio game capture but i was wondering if it came with an audio editing system.
Im thinking of getting the roxio, but i heard there is a video/audio lag? if this is true how would u be able to fix that problem?
@Andrew The audio lag can be fixed by updating bios and some other things that can be googled. I was having that problem at first.
When I captured with the audio preview muted, it would lag and sometimes not even record sound, but when I capture with the audio preview playing(annoying as hell) it doesn’t lag, and is flawless in my recording.
Hope that helps anyone who is having the same issues.
Have done evrything that has 2 b done 4 set up an everwe click on tv connector is just goes black an nothing happens.. wot am i doin wrong??