Screen capturing device

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Does anyone know how I can go about capturing screen shots from my 360/HD telly? What sort of cable do I need?

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

I suspect your best bet is a PC based capture rig with a component input, but it won't come cheap. Chinny might know about those.

kalmar · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 16:58

A good camera and a tripod?

chinnyhill10 · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 15695

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

I suspect your best bet is a PC based capture rig with a component input, but it won't come cheap. Chinny might know about those.

HD component capture? Not easy or cheap. I'm not even sure my Z1 can do this.

An S-Video SD capture device can be picked up for less than 30 quid.

chinnyhill10 · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 15695

To clarify, are we talking screenshots or recordings of the screen? (we had this confusion last time someone asked).

Static screenshots are somewhat easier if you have a tripod and a digital camera with a decent amount of manual controls.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

I'm actually looking to get screen shots, static ones. It's just a bit more professional to get your own rather than using press released ones on my site. Camera and a tripod ain't really ideal, I'd like to capture exactly what the xbox is putting out ideally.

chinnyhill10 · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 15695

jonarob wrote:

Camera and a tripod ain't really ideal, I'd like to capture exactly what the xbox is putting out ideally.

Well if you want HD component frame capture then you are probably looking at a professional, video editing card. Wave goodbye to about 700 quid for the lower end models. You'll also need a suitable computer and software (Final Cut or Premiere).

SD is easier and cheaper if you have S-Video on your XBOX 4000.

Or the cheap option is a camera, which would actually work quite well if setup correctly. Dark room, correct exposure. Just like the old days. It works as well if done properly. I used to do this on my CPC and providing you were shooting a static screen you could get excellent results. Don't be put off by the shots in the Speccy and C64 mags as they always used TV's rather than proper monitors. These days you wouldn't even have the geometry issues either.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

For web resolution screenshots, I think standard def would be up to the job. I'd try that first, I think, jonarob.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49253

Yeah, if you're going to be slotting a 6"x4" jpg onto the screen somewhere, an HD shot seems somewhat unnecessary.

chinnyhill10 · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 15695

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

For web resolution screenshots, I think standard def would be up to the job. I'd try that first, I think, jonarob.

In which case any old S-Video capture device will do.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

chinnyhill10 wrote:

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

For web resolution screenshots, I think standard def would be up to the job. I'd try that first, I think, jonarob.

In which case any old S-Video capture device will do.

This sounds good - can you recommend any?

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

The very few times I've needed to, I've found my £100 Canon Ixus on macro mode has actually produced as good as anything I've seen anywhere else.

chinnyhill10 · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 15695

jonarob wrote:

chinnyhill10 wrote:

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

For web resolution screenshots, I think standard def would be up to the job. I'd try that first, I think, jonarob.

In which case any old S-Video capture device will do.

This sounds good - can you recommend any?

Sadly not, because I have no such need.

But see Dudley's post. Seriously, look it will cost next to nothing to try assuming you have a camera. Tripods can be had for a few quid down the charity shop/ebay.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

When I get home later I'll post the couple I took of a league leaderboard on sensi. They look pretty perfect and I did nothing other than macro mode / flash off. I'm sure if I made any effort with lighting, like turning it off, or messed with the settings and used a tripod I could do even better.

devilman · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 22:28

Certainly taking photos of a HD telly produces good results - a damn sight better than attempting something with an old SD TV. I've not done any screengrabs for a while but Dealextreme do cheapo USB TV cards if you want to dabble. I went for a PCMCIA one for my laptop and it's not been too bad.

This vid was created with it. Nothing amazing but easy enough.

Runcle · **Posted:** Sun Oct 19, 2008 0:37

yay mad tracks.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

So here's my shot.

Literally just screen + macro and no flash on a cheapish digicam. Change any of those variables (or actually take it straight) and you'd do better. And this is text, which is going to be noticeable if shit yet it holds up ok. More so if I shrunk it further.

MrD · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 2139

chinnyhill10 wrote:

Or the cheap option is a camera, which would actually work quite well if setup correctly. Dark room, correct exposure. Just like the old days. It works as well if done properly.

That was one of the recommended ways to this when I was at work.

Don't use macro mode though, you'd want to be as distant as you could without losing too much light.

Grim... · **Posted:** Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:45

I took the photos for my Uncharted Review with a camera and tripod. Also note the video at the bottom which was done with a Sony Handicam.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2008 13:27

chinnyhill10 wrote:

Don't be put off by the shots in the Speccy and C64 mags as they always used TV's rather than proper Amstrad monitors. Amstrads had proper monitors. Monitorrrrrrrrrs. Ammmmmmstrrrrrradddd. *slow claps* all glory to the HypnoSugar. *slow claps*

FTFY

MaliA · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2008 13:30

Use a net made of super electrons and a draw$tring.

myp · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2008 13:30

Only third Dudley? Get a move on.

Grim... · **Posted:** Mon Oct 20, 2008 13:31

Dimrill wrote:

chinnyhill10 wrote:

Don't be put off by the shots in the Speccy and C64 mags as they always used TV's rather than proper Amstrad monitors. Amstrads had proper monitors. Monitorrrrrrrrrs. Ammmmmmstrrrrrradddd. *slow claps* all glory to the HypnoSugar. *slow claps*

FTFY

'lo, you.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

Dr Awkward wrote:

Only third Dudley? Get a move on.

That was a long time ago. I finished 2nd I think.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dudley wrote:

I finished 2nd

That's just fancy talk for "loser".

chinnyhill10 · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 15695

Dimrill wrote:

FTFY

What happened there? I came over all queer. And my Amstrad appears to be covered in ectoplasm.
And welcome back.

Mr Russell · **Joined:** 6th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 12436

Dimrill wrote:

chinnyhill10 wrote:

Don't be put off by the shots in the Speccy and C64 mags as they always used TV's rather than proper Amstrad monitors. Amstrads had proper monitors. Monitorrrrrrrrrs. Ammmmmmstrrrrrradddd. *slow claps* all glory to the HypnoSugar. *slow claps*

FTFY

Yay! Dimmers is back!

Dr Lave · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5979

Dimrill wrote:

FTFY

DIMRILL!!

WHAT A THRILL!!

TO SEE YOUR MUGGINS

UPON MY COMPUGINS (computer)

Woohoo! :luv:

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

HypnoSugar needs to fight MafiaBurtTank to the death.

Be Excellent To Each Other

Screen capturing device

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