Hauppauge HD PVR USB High Definition Video Recorder 01228

I seriously did my homework before ordering the Hauppauge HD PVR. AvForums was full of useful comments, good and bad I may add. But overall most folk believed it to be a good piece of kit and having used it the past day or so, I agree. I can't comment on recording from SkyHD or other sat boxes but I can say the quality of recorded footage from my Xbox360 is excellent. It's simple to set up via Windows XP and even although my laptop isn't dual core, recorded footage on 720p plays well enough. I used Windows MovieMaker to edit footage after having converted it to WMV via the supplied software on the Installation CD. The software from ArcSoft is good and it's very simple to use if you're capturing footage that is right in front of you. As for scheduling recordings etc. I can't comment. The component (HD) input is "outed" again to your HD TV without any lag or delay, there is however obvious lag on your laptop or PC monitor by a second or two but what does that matter? If you want to use… more »

I seriously did my homework before ordering the Hauppauge HD PVR. AvForums was full of useful comments, good and bad I may add. But overall most folk believed it to be a good piece of kit and having used it the past day or so, I agree. I can't comment on recording from SkyHD or other sat boxes but I can say the quality of recorded footage from my Xbox360 is excellent. It's simple to set up via Windows XP and even although my laptop isn't dual core, recorded footage on 720p plays well enough. I used Windows MovieMaker to edit footage after having converted it to WMV via the supplied software on the Installation CD. The software from ArcSoft is good and it's very simple to use if you're capturing footage that is right in front of you. As for scheduling recordings etc. I can't comment. The component (HD) input is "outed" again to your HD TV without any lag or delay, there is however obvious lag on your laptop or PC monitor by a second or two but what does that matter? If you want to use this device for more than capturing PS3 or 360 footage then I'm sure it will be an excellent purchase for you, particularly if you have a good spec laptop/PC which will handle the full HD recording and playback. The HD footage can be recorded to DVD or Blu-Ray using the software supplied. If I ever upgrade to SkyHD and the box has component output then the device would probably pay for itself considering how much I could archive. The component input/output is not protected/encrypted in any way so there is no problem catching what you want. Sorry I can't comment on all the devices capabilities, hence why I've only given it 3 stars. It does exactly what I want it to do, but giving it 5 stars would be unwise considering I'm not exploiting all the functions. A worthwhile purchase at a decent price for an item that will capture and record HD footage...

I purchased this product and it worked fine in normal resolution. However, I had to return it to Play due to it not being able to record HD from Freesat using Humax HD Freesat box. Play were superb in handling the return as at the time it appeared faulty. However, I have now learned that the box was not at fault - the problem lies in the freesat signal and Freesat HD boxes. The freesat system carries a signal on the HD stream that specifically switches off the RGB signal in Freesat boxes so only HDCP compliant signals via HDMI are output. This is why the Hauppauge could not be used as this uses the RGB out. This signal is present on BBC HD and ITV HD signals. This device works superbly on normal and HD signals from other sources but NOT Freesat HD. I have since also learned that in order to record from BBC HD it is possible to tune in to it on other sattelite sources which do NOT have the signal mentioned as they are not broadcasting the the Freesat spec. ITV HD cannot be found… more »

I purchased this product and it worked fine in normal resolution. However, I had to return it to Play due to it not being able to record HD from Freesat using Humax HD Freesat box. Play were superb in handling the return as at the time it appeared faulty. However, I have now learned that the box was not at fault - the problem lies in the freesat signal and Freesat HD boxes. The freesat system carries a signal on the HD stream that specifically switches off the RGB signal in Freesat boxes so only HDCP compliant signals via HDMI are output. This is why the Hauppauge could not be used as this uses the RGB out. This signal is present on BBC HD and ITV HD signals. This device works superbly on normal and HD signals from other sources but NOT Freesat HD. I have since also learned that in order to record from BBC HD it is possible to tune in to it on other sattelite sources which do NOT have the signal mentioned as they are not broadcasting the the Freesat spec. ITV HD cannot be found elsewhere. Why does Freesat do this? Apparently this signal was designed into the system for future 'premium' services and can be switched on and off at source. But the BBC and ITV have elected to have it switched on permanently thus creating this problem. Very annoying.
Just to repeat that this is not a problem with the Hauppauge box nor Play.
I hope this information proves helpful.

I purchased this felling slightly worried that it would not do what i wanted it to, but as soon as i took it out of the box and set it up between my TV and my Xbox 360 it worked brilliantly.

It comes with everything you need to set it up including the USB cable, the power cable and the HD component leads to connect the PVR to your TV.

It is also compatible with the MAC OS as i found out due to owning a Mac and not a PC. You cannot use the software provided on the CD for Mac as it is in windows format, however, you can get hold of programs that will record just as well as the CD provided software. An ideal program is EyeTV which is available from the Hauppauge website.

The quality of the recordings is very good and as i record in 720p, the rough file size for a 6 minute file is 500MB. If you are going to be recording a lot of HD video either from you Xbox, PS3 or Satellite box, then i would advise getting a Hard Drive that is at least 500GB because you will find that… more »

I purchased this felling slightly worried that it would not do what i wanted it to, but as soon as i took it out of the box and set it up between my TV and my Xbox 360 it worked brilliantly.

It comes with everything you need to set it up including the USB cable, the power cable and the HD component leads to connect the PVR to your TV.

It is also compatible with the MAC OS as i found out due to owning a Mac and not a PC. You cannot use the software provided on the CD for Mac as it is in windows format, however, you can get hold of programs that will record just as well as the CD provided software. An ideal program is EyeTV which is available from the Hauppauge website.

The quality of the recordings is very good and as i record in 720p, the rough file size for a 6 minute file is 500MB. If you are going to be recording a lot of HD video either from you Xbox, PS3 or Satellite box, then i would advise getting a Hard Drive that is at least 500GB because you will find that you will soon fill up anything that has a smaller capacity.

Have fun recording and i hope you found this review helpful.

I had been looking for some time to find a HD recording device that didn't need to be installed into a PC or Laptop, this ticked the boxes.

The recording device is so simple and easy to use. It took no time at all to install the software and drivers on my Laptop that came with the Hauppauge HD PVR. The software its self is easy to use, anybody with a little bit of computer knowledge should beable to work with the software in well under 30mins.

My main reason for purchasing this item was so I could record my Online Gaming Footage from my PS3, mainly playing Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. It can record footage on either 720P or 1080i via Component lead. I can record the footage and play at the same time with no lag or any other issues.

An excellent piece of kit, worth every penny just go and buy it!.

Also on a little side note PLAY.COM are quickly becoming my favourite online retailer. Their massive stock holding, competitive prices and really quick delivery with no… more »

I had been looking for some time to find a HD recording device that didn't need to be installed into a PC or Laptop, this ticked the boxes.

The recording device is so simple and easy to use. It took no time at all to install the software and drivers on my Laptop that came with the Hauppauge HD PVR. The software its self is easy to use, anybody with a little bit of computer knowledge should beable to work with the software in well under 30mins.

My main reason for purchasing this item was so I could record my Online Gaming Footage from my PS3, mainly playing Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. It can record footage on either 720P or 1080i via Component lead. I can record the footage and play at the same time with no lag or any other issues.

An excellent piece of kit, worth every penny just go and buy it!.

Also on a little side note PLAY.COM are quickly becoming my favourite online retailer. Their massive stock holding, competitive prices and really quick delivery with no hassle means I will use them time and time again. Keep up the good work :) .