Hauppauge HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition Review

Posted on Tuesday, September 25 @ 18:01:47 Eastern by Daniel Bischoff

The HD PVR 2 is essentially the ultimate, "end all, be all" out-of-the-box video capture device. While the Gaming Edition is tailored to those of us who want to boast about high scores or simply record a Let's Play series, the real star in this new model is support for HDMI throughput.

Previous HD PVRs from Hauppauge relied on component inputs at less-than-optimum refresh rates. With HDMI support you can capture the absolute best quality possible from your Xbox 360.

I qualify that feature with just Microsoft's video game console because Sony's PlayStation 3 does not allow recording from the HDMI output source whatsoever. This is unfortunate for the capture device on hand because it effectively halves the value proposition for potential buyers. Obviously if you're primarily a PS3 gamer, you might as well move along. There are cheaper capture devices from Hauppauge that offer everything the PVR 2 has, without the added price.

That said I've had great results recording gameplay with my Xbox 360 to HDMI. The included software works just as it would if you were still using component inputs, but obviously the end result benefits from a heightened fidelity.

One thing the HD PVR 2 really scores points on is the way it includes everything you could possibly need right out of the box, whether you're a PS3 or 360 gamer. Yes, even cables for your PS3! This is why I continue to believe that Hauppauge is the best in this small sector of the video game industry. Their goal is to get out of the box and into use as fast as possible.

Even the driver installation process, a daunting step for those less technologically inclined, took only a few seconds. If you're a 360 gamer and want to show how many noobs you can p'wn in the best quality possible, the HD PVR 2 is without a doubt your best option, whether your considering the feature set or how much you want to spend.

The Hauppauge HD PVR 2 is available now and retails for $169.99. Amazon currently has a $10 discount.

Tags: review

Comments

De-Ting
Joined: Nov 2006

Posted: Sep 25th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
This was on my Christmas list until you said it can't capture in HD on PS3. Thanks a bunch.

0 2

danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Sep 26th, 2012 at 11:28 am
To clarify, it can capture HD from the PS3 just fine, but not through HDMI.

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tinymhg
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Sep 25th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
I wouldn't buy it unless it made tacos.

0 3

danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Sep 26th, 2012 at 11:29 am
I just took a bite and it really tastes like tacos. Don't know if that's acceptable or not.

0 3

moretokes
Joined: Apr 2011

Posted: Sep 25th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
How bout burritos

1 3

danielrbischoff
Joined: Nov 2009

Posted: Sep 26th, 2012 at 11:29 am
I would definitely prefer burritos to tacos as well.

0 2

UghRochester
Joined: Jun 2006

Posted: Sep 26th, 2012 at 2:00 am
Awesome! And it gives you the extra cables too? Sounds great, but I'm going to be sticking to my Dazzle DVC 100 until I find a wallet containing no identifications of any sort and a couple hundreds. My LIVE streaming isn't that bad now (thanks to UrbanMasque). I wished I could capture HD, but I bought the Dazzle DVC 100, because it was the cheapest I could find. I didn't want to pay an extra $30 for the HD edition, because I didn't have the money at the time.

0 4

tinymhg
Joined: Jun 2011

Posted: Sep 26th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
HEY! This stupid comment box wouldn't let me make my witty reply to Mr. Bischoff.

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ShadeTail
Joined: Nov 2006

Posted: Sep 26th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Thanks for the followup on this. The PS3 bit is rather annoying, but I guess it's fairly predictable. Though it leaves me wondering why they would allow recording from the other A/V outputs. They could have blocked that off as well. Maybe it's just to prevent ripping of bluray movies, since those require an HDMI connection to play.

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UrbanMasque
Joined: May 2007

Posted: Oct 3rd, 2012 at 10:26 am
Getting on in Office Shortly - CANTTT WAAAIIITTT

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fourteetwo
Joined: Oct 2012

Posted: Oct 27th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I have this PVR. It is good, but you can't stream with it. Or at least I have yet to find software that will work with it. Xsplit doesn't work. Flash doesn't see it either. But for recording, it is great. Make sure you switch to Stereo for the sound output from your Xbox 360. Otherwise you will get no sound other than a constant clicking noise. The record button does what it says it will do and it does take about 15-20 seconds for the recording to start. The video quality is amazing and the sound is spot on when set up correctly. I still recommend to get it . But if you want to stream with it, you may want to wait until something is released or updated.

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