So, if you are like me and you want to be able to record some of your gameplay from your 360 or PS3 you’ve probably looked into a capture card of some sort. Most of these devices either lack quality, are hard to use, or just don’t live up to their cost. 

That’s where Elgato comes in with their Game Capture HD.

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First thing that will become readily apparent is that this device is pretty small and because of that it can suit just about any setup. Included are all the cables you’ll need and after a quick download and install of the software you’re ready to go. The simplicity is really great and allows users to get going without needing instructions.

This simplicity carries over into the interface used for the program allowing users to change settings with ease and navigate the menus quickly and efficiently. The Capture tab shows playback, though everything is naturally delayed by about 6 seconds. In the bottom right hand corner is the unmissable record button as well as one of my favorite features: Time Shift. By moving the slider you can retroactively record which is great for those times where you forgot to press the button. The Edit tab allows users to cut out bits from the recording, and while the editing is limited, it’s clearly not the main focus of the program. 

Now let’s get into the meat and potatoes of recording. The software has both Windows and Mac support which is a nice plus. Max supported resolution is 180i and the device only allows for Stereo audio. The file formats available are H.264 and MP4 allowing you to easily share videos via Facebook or Youtube right from the program itself. While having 1080p and Surround support would be nice, I’m not about to complain. The point that might make or break it for most will be the $200 price tag, but I think it’s a fair price for everything that’s offered here.

Plain and simple: The Game Capture HD gets the job done and does it painlessly and, most importantly, makes some really nice looking recordings. If you’ve bene shopping around and haven’t been able to figure out what device to go for, I can definitely suggest putting this at the top of your list. It does everything you need right out of the box.

GO Rating: 4.5/5

[Intro image via]