Elgato Video Capture REVIEW - Digitize Video for Mac, PC or iPad

Elgato Video Capture REVIEW - Digitize Video for Mac, PC or iPad

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[jenna]

For anyone trying to record from VHS...Make sure your video capture device records 720x480 as that is the way to go when capturing anything from VHS. 720x480 29.97fps 4:3 aspect ratio. If you are recording just to a hard drive record it in MP4 (h.264) in 4000kbps since that is the universal standard now. If you are putting it on a DVD and you want identical quality to the VHS source then you would record it to 720x 480 in MPEG-2 (6000-8000kbps) at 29.97fps. What I don't like about El Gato is the software and actual unit have not been updated since 2004...it only captures in 640x480 30fps (which is below DVD quality) 640x480 was used for CRT computer monitors years ago. It looks more pixelated on a larger tv monitor. 720x480 will give you identical quality to your VHS tape source. Be careful not to record in higher resolution, it will automatically convert and distort your final video file to 16:9 widescreen, and you don't want that because it will not only degrade the quality you will have a useless file.

[nickharris]

Great device but make sure when using svideo, you get a male to male svideo cable and a 3.5mm to two rca male cable for the audio.

[kevinsutton]

Please note, the Elgato Video Capture does NOT work with a new Mac. If you go to About This Mac, and it says M1 or M2, which is the latest Mac technology, it's not compatible. Frustratingly, I just learned that from Elgato's customer service representative.

[pddie]

Resolution, Codec, Bitrate, Color Range, file format...?! Wtf dude I want my time back.

[Maccaxxx]

They don't tell you that when you purchase it you have got to download a lot of other software to get it to work, it is an headache.

[gregdavidson]

I've used one on my MAC for a few months. It was great. Then all of a sudden NO video signal (but I do have the audio) I did not change the physical connections. I tried the coax (yellow) and it did not work as well as the S-VS connection and no video. I reinstalled the program and no luck. Any ideas? TIA

[jarvismalone]

omg, thanks for the video because this is a steal. This could possibly bring back a market for VHS/VCR users.

[moparloverrr]

Having a difficult time downloading, seems as if the download online has become corrupted. I newest I could find was the 2.0 mac version

[byxavi]

i’ve tried downloading the software on my 2020 Macbook Air before purchasing it, it’s not an M1, but the software still doesn’t seem to open at all

[TheBlues]

It's expensive but i might buy it. Thank you for the video! BTW. How much place takes a 1 hour footage after getting it on computer? Greetings!

[HungerLove]

Thanks for great video! I decided to ask for advice before purchasing. Please specify, when digitizing VHS, the mp4 file ends up with a PAL 576 lines vertical resolution or only with a poorer NTSC 480 quality? 30 or 25?

[beerborn]

Does this create "interlacing" on the video when it's recorded on your computer?

[adinasteaua]

Saves as Mpeg 4 files at the original resolution of 640 × 480p ?? What do you think of the image... is there a difference compared to the original source (VHS tape in 480p resolution)??

[Moffimus]

I got one of these and I have an older Mac Pro desktop. The problem is that the captured picture is *very* dark. I don't know if it's the fault of the VCR or what, but compared to the original recording the brightness is about 50-40% of the original tape. Changing the brightness upwards after recording messes up the blacks...

Did you notice any difference in brightness levels?

Edit: I'm an idiot. :D There are brightness and contrast sliders in the Video Preferences tab, but somehow for the last 20 hours of recording I've totally missed them.

[Swampert_Tube]

How's the delay from TV to capture software? Asking mainly for videogame consoles

[joeysevn]

hey thanks again for this video. I have to ask 
1:07 you know how you plugged in your vhs. and the screen Is blue on your computer? how come my video is black and is not showing.

[mlomxts]

Hi awhen capturing the footage how do I remove the battery life and minutes elapsed from the final recording?

[brandonrowsell]

How long of a tape can you copy. If a tape is 3 hrs is that too long?

[nvsilverlady]

my vcr does not have the red connector. only the yellow and white. suggestions? Issue was found. Thank you for letting me know.

[ROBERTELECTRIC]

Thanks, but hoe to install the software? i Tried multiple time it did work. i dont have the shortcut or any thing. it says unplug and replug to finish the installation, but still not working . software is not installing. i have lenovo W-10. thanks