Roxio Game Capture HD Pro Review
Posted on Monday, October 15 2012 @ 05:38:36 Eastern

 
I don’t always write hardware reviews. But when I do, I make it informative with jokes along the way. UghRochester is the Most Interesting Gamer in southwestern Pennsylvania.   Hello, everyone! A week ago, Game Revolution’s DanielBischoff wrote a review for his new Hauppauge HD PVR 2. I have to admit, I was quite jealous of what he had. When I saw YouTube videos of the quality he is capable of recording, I decided I wanted to search for something similar and cheaper, because let’s face it, my Pinnacle Dazzle DVC100 was not the best quality. Luckily, I found something new…and cheaper.   What I have found was the Roxio Game Capture HD Pro. Few weeks ago, Roxio released their new HD recording device. I was lucky, because their original price was $149.99, but with promo codes, I was able to get it cheaper, $40 cheaper that is. Anyways, I had to ask myself, “Would it be worth it purchase this?” I did some research before buying this. Not much was detailed, because it was still new and customers haven’t posted much about it. However, I saw YouTube videos of the quality compared to the HD PVR. The HD PVR does have a better image quality, but not by that much. Both are amazing for recording HD, as it was compared and both of them has an HDMI port. So, I decided to purchase one.
    Unboxing: When it came in the mail, I quickly opened the box to see what was in there. What you’ll have in the box is the capturing device, software, and a gold-plated USB cord to connect to your computer. The USB cord isn’t universal and I wished it was. What I like about the device is you don’t have worry about getting extra wire splitters, because both inputs and outputs are all in one.

However, it’s disappointing, because you have to get an extra component or HDMI cable. It’s like receiving a gift requiring batteries, but wasn’t with your gift. The software that came with your device is located behind a cardboard flap. You won’t be able to see it until you bend the box to make an open gap. You’ll also find a manual for the device. The manual is made me chuckle inside, because it has little information about how to set it up with the Xbox 360, but has all these pictures and directions for the PS3. That’s everything that is in the box.
    Using the Device: After installing the software to my laptop, I thought I was ready. So, I turned on my TV first and then my Xbox 360, but I didn’t receive any signal. So, I tried again and the results were the same. So, I turned them both off and connected my laptop to my capturing device and tried again. Well, I’ll be a horse’s anus. You need have your device powered by USB in order for your TV to receive signal from your video game console. This isn’t really a big problem, but it is annoying to have the device powered by USB. Once I figured that out, I was able to capture and record videos in HD. Due to the device being powered by USB, it sometimes lags during recording. However, this works greatly for recording. If you have no video editing software, the software includes editing tools.     Live Streaming: With this device, you’re able to live stream directly to Justin/Twitch TV. Changing settings to stream a better quality sucks more than that person using a straw to get the last drop of beverage from their cup. The only thing you can do is change your output, whether you want to stream in higher or lower qualities. You can also change your bitrate. That’s the only changes you can make to stream.

Once I started getting used to the device, I went to a program called “Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder (FMLE)”. I use this free software to help me make changes to my encoding in order to get a better stream with my Dazzle. So, it recognized my new device as both video and audio, but it wouldn’t support its content. I found out the codec for this device has MTS2 encoding. Roxio said they used this format for better quality of video, which is cool, but all other programs for streaming will not support this device because of its format.

So, you’re left with only streaming to Justin/Twitch TV. Not only that, but whenever you stream, the program crashes. I may not have the best running laptop, but it passes the minimum requirements. Anyhow, I checked their forums to see if I was the only one having this problem. It turns out I wasn't. Since this product is new, I'm giving it a chance until they release a patch for this.   Overall, the Roxio Game Capture HD Pro is a great device. Comparing its quality to the HD PVR 2, I’m pretty impressed. It’s also much smaller than the HD PVR 2. I’m going to give this device 3.5 out of 5. It does everything like it says, but its live streaming sucks.   + Great price + Records HD + HDMI Port +/- USB powered - Live Streaming Options
-Crashes during live stream

[ 0 Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

ABC News: Quit it, It's the parents' fault!
Posted on Saturday, March 31 2012 @ 10:39:28 Eastern

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on my blog, but this event gave me motivation to post one more before procrastination takes effect one me (again). Rob Hayes’s article was brought to my attention on Wednesday, March 28th by an entry on Kotaku, one of many gaming websites I go on throughout the given day. Their (Kotaku) story was covering Hayes’s article about children being exposed to cursed words, racism, any sort of cyber bulling while playing with other gamers online. The reason why I’m creating this entry is the fact of how delayed and how much hilarity I saw in this particular article. Also, this entry will give me a much better view of parenting and what parents should do.   Don’t worry ABC News, you’re most of the time “on top” of the news happening throughout the world. Hayes’s article I viewed didn’t seem to be on top of covering this issue. As you will see by a couple of quotes I viewed in the article, I’ll try my best to give them my most honest opinion.     “Imagine exposing your child to racial slurs and X-rated content on a daily basis without realizing it. Experts warn that's exactly what could be happening if you let your child play an online video game through Xbox, PlayStation or on the computer.”   Now, I’m sure parents are fully aware of this situation. In fact, I’m sure they’re aware of it ever since online gaming has been created. Sony Computer Entertainment created the Playstation Network (PSN for short) for the United States in November, 2006. That’s almost six years! Microsoft created Xbox LIVE for its console back in 2002 and recently celebrated their tenth year of being in service. That’s ten years! As you can see, by now the parents should be fully aware of this issue. It has been years, since the online services have begun. I found this to be hilarious and as well as others, because you’re “on top” of covering this issue. Sometimes you can get a nice conversation online, but many times you’ll hear vulgar content. This is why it’s established online features aren’t rated, because you don’t know what might be heard. It is common sense to know there are morons that use “F*ck, sh*t, etc” in every sentence.
“Internet safety expert Parry Aftab says this inappropriate language in online gaming is rampant, and she's concerned it's leading to dangerous cyber bullying. "They may trash talk. They may be calling you names. They may steal their passwords. Or a lot of them may gang up on one online, not because it's a good strategic win, but to hurt the other person," said Aftab. Game companies attempt to combat these issues with on-box warnings, parental controls and special task squads.” 

Well, great job to the video game developers. Parents have warned for years! If it’s somebody to blame, I would blame the parent for exposing it to their child. What I love seeing is parents purchasing a product that has violence for rated for the mature audience and letting their child(ren) play the games. Some parents are ignorant and complain about their children playing this game, even though they bought it. Parents do have the right to complain about their child(ren) playing violent games when their not in view of them playing it. The child(ren) could be playing it at their friend’s house, because his/her parent wouldn’t buy a particular game. This is not the game developers’ fault. Again, parents are ignorant. Instead of complaining to the other parent about their view of the subject, they start blaming the game developers. Thankfully, we do have a system that enables a parent to see what a game’s content has inside and what to be cautious about for the viewing audience. That system is commonly known as the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB for short).   This should not be an issue. I believe, and like many others around the world, parents should be taking responsibility for their own action. Parents should quit blaming others for once. They have been warned various times about what the content is being delivered. From what I read, there mighteven be another warning label to allow parents to see what content is in store for them. Please parents, quit complaining about your child(ren) being exposed to this. Also, thank you ABC News, your covering of this subject has made me look differently about your news coverage.

[ 7 Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

Gears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow DLC review
Posted on Saturday, December 17 2011 @ 06:39:25 Eastern

*Don't have anywhere to put this. I'm placing my review for the DLC here

Another DLC, but this time Epic Games is going to “try” having some value to it. Close to three months later, Epic Games delivers Gears of War 3 a campaign add-on. Luckily for players, it’s not just new; characters, weapons and weapons skins. The campaign add-on is actually a full act which may take an hour or so to complete.   In the RAAM’s Shadow DLC, you’re starting out as part of Zeta Squad post-Emergence Day. Zeta Squad consist of four Gears; Michael Barrick, Lt. Minh Young Kim (first seen in Gears of War), Alicia Valera and Tai Kaliso (first seen in Gears of War 2). Your task is to evacuate Llima City due to a Locust Kryllstorm approaching. While Zeta Squad is rescuing civilians and looking for remaining comrades, General RAAM is back in the picture destroying and killing the humans as ordered by Queen Myrrah.   For the first time in Gears of War history, you’re able to control General RAAM and use his abilities you saw in Gears of War. He only has two ways of attacking the humans. You can both point to an enemy and send out Kryll to chop up the humans or slice and stab humans with your Locust sword. Unfortunately, they made RAAM this bad-ass and can only get damage when he releases the Kryll.   While protecting or killing the Locust, you’re going to run into new forms of enemies. Introducing in the campaign add-ons are Mauler Elites and Theron Elites. Mauler Elites are another variant of a Mauler. They look like something from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and they also have new boomshield which reflect fire. Theron Elites are tougher Theron Guards. Theron Elites use an ink grenade called a Kryll grenade. This is similar to an Ink grenade. Instead of ink damaging you, you’re being attacked by Kryll. They also use the ink as an evasive strategy. A new Elite Sawed-Off shotgun is also carried with them. Unlike the other shotgun, these have curved blades which you can charge with them and stab like a retro lancer.   In addition, the Locust again emerges from sinkholes and attack. Only the Theron Guards (from what I noticed) are exploding through the ground like a rocket launch.   There were some noticeable flaws during the added campaign. One is manipulating objects. Sure you’re able to opens doors and what not, but you’re not able to press the piano key on the piano. This isn’t technically a flaw, but it was noticeable you couldn’t manipulate any objects like in the game’s main story. Another flaw was not telling the players to press a button and kick something out of the way for access. I was caught on a part, because there was a table in my way. I shot at it, and use a frag grenade to blow it up. It had no effect whatsoever. I Didn’t know a simple button could kick the table out of the way. Also, I feel General RAAM is too overpowered throughout the campaign.   The only true good thing about the add-on is you’re playing as General RAAM and using his own special abilities. It’s great to be back to post-Emergence Day, but the rest of the add-on complete waste of time. No story whatsoever, just bunch of killing Locust and humans. The only actual story you see is sort of a prelude, Jace’s reasoning to join the COG. You won’t even get to see that until the near ending of the add-on .   “You never know, there might be a hobbit” said Cliff Bleszinski talking to Jimmy Fallon about Gears of War 3. Was RAAM’s Shadow DLC the “hobbit” Bleszinski may have accidentally revealed? I sure hope not. What I want to see is something new and original. Sure being able to use General RAAM is new and original, but it’s not worth 15 dollars in my opinion. For the reason it’s only an add-on and not a full game, I’m going to give an B+   +General RAAM is back with new abilities -…Unfortunately is overpowered +Campaign Add-on -No actual story plot +New characters +New weapons

[ 0 Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

Thanks Ubisoft, I'm 21st baby!
Posted on Friday, December 2 2011 @ 10:33:34 Eastern

Today marks the calendar of Ubisoft's 25 year anniversary. You're probably familiar with their works of the Assassin's Creed series which recently released Assassin's Creed: Revelations just a few weeks ago. Congratulations to Ub...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

Could there be a Gears of War prequel?
Posted on Saturday, November 26 2011 @ 06:36:18 Eastern

So, I’ve been thinking about this for a good while. Cliff Bleszinski even mentioned on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon about Gears of War ending “like Lord of the Rings style.” When Fallon asked Bleszinski, he replied, &ldq...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

UghRochester is back online (rant)
Posted on Monday, October 24 2011 @ 11:27:40 Eastern

It all began one day when I was told my mother, step-dad, and younger brother were moving. I already live three miles away from work. Where they were moving to, my father would no longer be able to take me to work, unless I give him more gas money th...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

TV-B-Gone: UghRochester's Mission
Posted on Sunday, August 28 2011 @ 22:40:56 Eastern

   
Assassins in video games I feel are the best assassins in the world. They have unique senses that allow the player to know if they’re being detected and they have terrific abilities to make them undetected. Of cou...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

Goodbye my fellow GR'ians
Posted on Sunday, July 10 2011 @ 11:37:54 Eastern

 With maca2kx leaving, I feel it's my time to leave. It's been nice meeting all of you. So, I just got one more thing to say before I leave. You just got UghRochesteroll'd! I'm not leaving this place anytime soon lol.
...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

Epic Games: Desperate Wars
Posted on Saturday, May 7 2011 @ 12:45:21 Eastern

Wow, it has been a while since I last wrote a blog entry. Perhaps rehabilitating from my less than 24 hour job at GR is most likely the reason I haven’t been writing much. Now, time to make amends. In this article I’m going to criticize E...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]

Sony's NGP: It's The Little Things That Matters
Posted on Friday, January 28 2011 @ 05:49:11 Eastern

Touch screen, Front and rear cameras, Wi-fi and 3G network? Yes these great specs are available with Sony’s NGP (Next Generation Portable), but do we really want to care so much toward these three details? It seems today every mobile device has...   read more...

[ Comments ]        [ Post a Comment ]