Hauppauge HD PVR Receiver

The Hauppauge HD 1212 is not really a PVR (personal video recorder), but is, in fact, an encoding device that sends video and audio over a high-speed USB 2.0 connection to your computer for further manipulation. Besides a powerful computer, you will need either a DVD or Blu ray burner to create your HD programming. The reason that it works as well as it does is that it uses the loophole in ANALOG component video connections from a set top box or game console in resolutions up to 1080i bypassing HDCP (copy protection) over HDMI cables. You will also need either a stereo analog audio cable or digital optical audio hookup (recommended). With my Comcast HD box, you cannot have HDMI and component video hooked up at the same time, so viewing input is only available on the computer when recording. You must switch back to HDMI for TV viewing. The included Arcsoft software has many options, but does not allow editing of captured material. So, you now have the expense of additional software such as Sony Vegas, Video Redo H.264, etc. If you can deal with all these considerations, you can obtain high-quality recordings.

This item was purchased for my son for his play station. He uses it to record game playing. As far as I know he is happy with it. He told me this item could be used to record or copy VCR tapes. I have some old ones, and am going to try this. It will be well worth the buy if this item can preserve old family videos.

I use sagetv with directv. I own 3 hdpvrs i love them. Check out SageTV.com for the most information on the best ways to use this product.

The Hauppauge HD PVR Reciever provides the highest quality I have yet to see from a personal recorder. I have also owned a Dazzle DVC-100 and this is by far better, but also worth every penny. I would recommend this to any gamer who also is looking to start a Youtube channel. I use this on a 32 inch Standard Definition TV so supposedly I don't get HD quality from it but I would tell you otherwise. Go see my Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/undiversifiedg​aming there I have a quality test if you don't believe me. BUY THIS NOW.

Wow!! This thing is worth every cent of what I paid!! I can record VHS to MP4 or record xbox to my computer hard drive! All those old videos of me as a kid can be transfered to a DVD too! AWESOME!!