Hauppauge HD PVR 2

Back around late 2012 (not too long after I started my Youtube channel and purchased the original Hauppauge HD PVR) Hauppauge released an upgraded version of its external capture card called the HD PVR 2.  This was around the same time that Elgato entered the capture card market with its Elgato Game Capture HD.  Both of these cards were notable because unlike the original HD PVR, they could record the native 240p signals from retro video game consoles.  This meant that you could record directly from an NES, SNES, N64, etc., with no need for scan converters or other methods to alter the video signal.

I originally did not bother to purchase either of those capture cards back in the day because they had a noticeable flaw as far as I was concerned: they could not record 1080p60, meaning they could not record a 1080 resolution at 60 frames per second.  I waited until Christmas of 2014 and then received the new Elgato Game Capture HD60, which was able to record 1080p60 at a very high bit rate. This gave me high quality recordings from the Wii U and Switch.

As for retro console recordings on my channel, in 2013 I discovered (through forum posts) a rather simple solution after becoming unhappy with my prior Dazzle capture card footage.  I simply plugged my retro consoles into a DVD recorder, and then connected the DVD recorder to the Hauppauge HD PVR.  The DVD recorder inherently altered the 240p signals to a standard NTSC refresh rate, which the Hauppauge could detect and record without problems.  There was no downside to this method, and it suited me quite well for several years.

Approximately last year though, I decided I would like to visit my Youtube friend Keet in Florida once the Super Nintendo World area of Universal Studios opened in Orlando.  So far, Nintendo/Universal Studios estimate that the new park will open in 2023, so I hope to visit that year.

As part of this visit, Keet and I naturally want to record a shit ton of games.  But I quickly realized a problem.  I have too much recording equipment to bring to Florida, especially with the DVD recorder method that I use.  Keet's capture card doesn't record S-video (something I consider absolutely necessary for SNES and N64 footage), so I decided to buy a capture card that could natively record 240p signals over an S-video connection.

While both the Elgato Game Capture HD and the Hauppauge HD PVR 2 were contenders, I discovered that I had to purchase a separate S-video adapter for either capture card directly from the manufacturer (Elgato or Hauppauge).  Unfortunately, Elgato ceased manufacturing its S-video adapter, meaning I could no longer buy the plug off its website.  I also could not find the adapter anywhere on eBay or elsewhere.  Also, I had some issues with my Game Capture HD60 not detecting scan conversions properly when games natively switched between 480i and 480p.  So that concerned me.  This removed the Elgato Game Capture HD from further consideration.

Fortunately, Hauppauge was still selling its S-video adapter on its website, so I quickly purchased one before they could run out of stock and then picked up a new HD PVR 2 off eBay while it was still cheap.  Below is the actual HD PVR 2 that I received from eBay.

I will definitely be running some tests with this new capture card to see how the footage compares to my current HD PVR recordings, but I'm not expecting much difference since they both record at the same maximum bit rate.  Still, it is nice to now have a capture card that can record retro consoles directly.

Once Super Nintendo World opens in Florida, I hope all of you enjoy the flood of video game footage (likely multiplayer) that will be posted afterward.