Looking for a 480p capture card*

[Dot50Cal]

I had my eyes set on the Decklink HD Extreme for a while, but the lack of 480p is killing me. I then turned my sights onto their Intensity (HDMI capture) but that too fell short when I realized my sources are HDCP.

So I require a capture card that:
-Captures 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p
-Accepts component input (adapters are fine)

Bonuses:
-Has a form of A/V Sync
-Captures Audio

I appreciate any help you guys can give, I have been holding off for over a year now til more information came out on the source's Id be capturing from and I'm really anxious to buy this asap. I realize this will cost in the region of $1000, that is fine with me.

Thanks!

[chipzoller]

ATI 650 Theater Pro, but I'm not positive that it captures 1080.

[Dot50Cal]

Isnt that just for capturing through coaxial inputs? Im looking to capture video game consoles. So preferably it would need Component Input.

[chipzoller]

It can do that via a break-out box or a multi-input dongle. Component and S-Video.

[Dot50Cal]

Its s-video or composite though, so it wont capture HD off a console:

http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/screen_shot_images/234/202871234_002.jpg

[Blue_MiSfit]

Right. I don't know of any component video capture cards that can do HD for under ~$800

[SturmMD]

I had tried to work out a solution when I was deciding whether I wanted component capture capabilities.

Here's what I figured might work,
1) BlackMagic Intensity HDMI PCIexpress capture card
2) Gefen Component with Audio to HDMI converter
3) 3+ hard-drives in a raid-0 setup capable of 119+MB/s as required for capturing

sidenotes: assuming gefen converter doesn't add hdcp, blackmagic cant capture 1080p, for simultaneously watching on a tv the component signal will need to be split (more complicated than y-cables) or using the hdmi pass-through on the capture card.

[Dot50Cal]

Also remember with the Intensity, the PS3 has HDCP required when using HDMI. So since the Intensity cant do HDCP, it wont work.

I've found a not very well known Japanese company that has a card which captures most of what I need. So I think Im going that route. I hear the Decklink HD Extreme has some bleeding issues ;\

[easy2Bcheesy]

More than that I discovered today that hte Intensity only supports YPrPb 4:2:2 output from an HDMI device. Even if you defeated HDCP on the PS3, you would still be attempting to capture 24-bit RGB. The Intensity won't work.

The only 480p capture card I am aware of is the Holograph 3D and that hasn't been made for a few years now.

[Revgen]

@ DotCal50

The only one I know that does this is the Xena capture card. It costs about $1700 the last I checked.

http://www.aja.com/html/products_windows_xena.html

[Seraphic-]

Also remember with the Intensity, the PS3 has HDCP required when using HDMI. So since the Intensity cant do HDCP, it wont work.

I've found a not very well known Japanese company that has a card which captures most of what I need. So I think Im going that route. I hear the Decklink HD Extreme has some bleeding issues ;\

Hi,

Could I please have a link to the website for that card or its name? I'm interested in it as well for HD capture at 480p.

Thanks

[edwinbradford]

The company is called Earthsoft and it's the PV3 http://earthsoft.jp/release/PV3.html. There's a video on YouTube if you do a search for PV3 which shows how it sells out, I think about 400 copies, in 1 minute.

However if you do a google and limit your results to Japanese pages you come across this, the Sony RDZ-D800 http://kilinbox.net/index.php?news=1637&diary=20061228. You can translate any of these pages using Google's language tools. If I'm not mistaken, although getting hold of a PV3 is problematic and it's use would require figuring out support in Japanese, the RDZ-D800 is on sale now in Japan and seems to use the PV3 as it's capture device? So I wonder if it supports 480p?

[Fudoh]

BlackMagic Design just introduced the Intensity Pro with Component HD input/output in addition to the HDMI ports - very nice ! And at $349 still priced very reasonable, especially if you consider how hard it is to get ahold of a PV3 card.

Fudoh

[Seraphic-]

Here is a link to the above card.

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

However, I wonder if the PS2 would find it acceptable for 480p/16:9 progressive scan. PS2 does some checking before it is enabled from the console.

[Fudoh]

The card probably won't do 480p, just 480i, 720p and 1080i.

However the PS2 won't check anything. You can enable 480p in a game if it's supported no matter if your display/capture card can display it.

And you should think of your output signal. You would probably end up with a 30fps progressive AVI or a 60field interlaced MPEG2 stream (for a DVD), so you would capture 480p60 and downscale it anyway (to 480p30 or 480i60), so for me 480i/720p/1080p is already a pretty good deal for $349.

[BlackSharkfr]

If the card can digitalise 1080i and 720p signals, there's no reason it wouldn't be able to digitalise 480i or 480p. But the question is how would the driver react when recieving an unknown signal.
It would probably just do the same as my pinnacle studio 500pci : it wouldn't understand the signal, you'd maybe get sime image b&w or distorted or whatever it can be and the card would probably get unstable.

I seriously hesitate buying one of those but since i play imported games on pal consoles (which gives weired hybrid ntsc resolution & frequencies with pal color signals or something like that) i really need to be sure the driver is flexible enough. Or is BlackMagic-Design accepting to do patches when just a small group of users (from the other side of the ocean) are asking for some stuff nobody else has even heard about ?

[edwinbradford]

I'm afraid Fudoh is probably correct, it's unlikely to do 480p, I emailed Blackmagic a month back and they confirmed it does not support 480p, I doubt whether that has changed as it's still not itemised in their tech. specs.

[easy2Bcheesy]

I have an Intensity and it definitely does not support 480p. A curious omission.

The obvious solution to the OP's question is a Xena AJA LHe.

[Pope Flick]

I have an Intensity and it definitely does not support 480p. A curious omission.

The obvious solution to the OP's question is a Xena AJA LHe.

Hi - neither of these cards support 480p.

I am wondering if anyone thinks this card might, as I suspect it does, but not as video rather as 30 jpegs/second.

http://www.ncast.net/DigiCaptureCard.html

Any ideas?

[ajp_anton]

I'm also looking for a way to capture 480p at 60fps (59.94?) via component.
I don't care how it's done, via converters or directly into a PCI(e) card, as long as i get 720x480 at 60fps into my computer.

Any ideas?

[Dot50Cal]

I'm also looking for a way to capture 480p at 60fps (59.94?) via component.
I don't care how it's done, via converters or directly into a PCI(e) card, as long as i get 720x480 at 60fps into my computer.

Any ideas?

Earthsoft PV3. The company that sold it is Japanese but they are no longer making the card. You'll also need a "D" connector to component adapter and a knowledge of the Japanese language to use the software.

[Seraphic-]

Well yeah, there was the Earthsoft PV3 and the Holo3dGraph II that did 480p (from what I understand) but both are no longer for sale v.i retail.

[Seraphic-]

While not a capture card, there is also the Japanese XRGB-3 (http://www.micomsoft.co.jp/xrgb-3.htm) that from what I understand, accepts 480p v.i "D" connector.

However, I'm not sure if it is possible to record the video as it seems to be more for viewing/upscaling. Don't know that much about the unit itself (need to do some more research).

Translated Text from above linked page:

XRGB-3, NTSC image signal such as image equipment and game machine for home (video image and S terminal image) and, is the rise [sukiyankonbata] unit which indicates image of the D terminal in personal computer private display.

　By the fact that you use the knitting machine, only the personal computer picture it is possible to indicate the image of the image equipment and the game machine for home in the display which cannot be indicated. In addition, because the knitting machine has child picture display function, while looking at the personal computer picture, also it is possible to look at video image and the like on the child picture.

* To correspond to also hi-vision image, even in liquid crystal display indicatory possibility.

Because it is the D4 input terminal attachment, the image of 525i, 525p, 1125i and 750p input possibility.

* Digital RGB (DVI-D), analog RGB (15 pins) with in display connected possibility.

It corresponds to the liquid crystal and picture tube display of the *1024×768/1280×1024/1600×1200 dot.

* On personal computer picture video image and the like child picture indicatory possibility.

* Full RGB processing (24bit), full digital processing.

With 3 dimensional digital Y/C separation circuit loading, decreasing [nijimi] of video image.

* NTSC image signal 4 time over sampling

* Loading numerous picture quality adjustment function. For example with gamma revision, also the part where the picture is dim is bright indicatory possibility.

* Because it is remote control attachment, power source on, input change and picture adjustment from the place where it is far are possible.

* Through it is possible in display to output personal computer image.

It corresponds to the firmware update by the USB terminal.

[signal]

The XRGB-3 is a scan converter only device.

The XRGB-3 is a VGA upscan box. It takes an input in the form of S-Video, Component, Composite, Japanese D4 or Japanese RGB, and converts it to VGA for use on a standard computer monitor. Apparently the results are usually higher quality than the game looked in the first place on the TV.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-86-49-en-15-upscan+converter-70-1ic5.html

[Seraphic-]

I also just found THIS (http://www.conexant.com/servlets/DownloadServlet/PBR-200865-002.pdf?docid=866&revid=2) while searching google for 480p capture cards. It's called the Conexant CX23885 video/audio chip and it seems that the Leadtek Winfast PxTV1200 (http://www.leadtek.com/eng/tv_tuner/specification.asp?pronameid=355&lineid=6&act=2) uses the chip with their tv-tuner/capture card. Not sure if anyone has heard of this or know other cards that use this chip-set, but it's something to look into. I can't locate specific capture specs for the Winfast at the moment, but if anyone finds more info be sure to post it. :D

CX23885 specifications: 480i YPrPb, 480p YPrPb, 720p YPrPb, 1080i YPrPb (view below image for the rest)

http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/8915/untitled2os6.th.jpg (http://img485.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled2os6.jpg)

[ajp_anton]

Just sent an email to Leadtek asking about 480p and 720p on that card.

[Seraphic-]

Just sent an email to Leadtek asking about 480p and 720p on that card.

I sent one last night but have gotten no reply yet. Let me know if you get one though.

[ajp_anton]

Dear Sir,

Good day!

PxTV1200 just support below of 480i resolution only.

Provide you to consult.

Best Regards

Leadtek Service

Could it still be possible with some sort of hack? I mean, the CX23885 should still support it...?

[Blue_MiSfit]

<3 the engrish on that :)

Hopefully the necessary other components besides the chipset are in place to allow 720p / 1080i capture. Doubtful though.. :)

~MiSfit

[Seraphic-]

Relpy #1
Dear Sir,

Good day!

You mean when it capture from Video-in ?

Yes, it is.

Best Regards

Leadtek Service

Reply #2
Dear Sir,

Good day!

We are promise 480i now.

You can consult PXPVR2200 ( http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/tv_tuner/overview.asp?lineid=6&pronameid=351).

Best Regadrs

Leadtek Service

That is what I received to my 480p question... which is odd because the chip does support 480p.

Damn it, why is 480p capture so hard to find? It's a worldwide government conspiracy I tell you!

Could it still be possible with some sort of hack? I mean, the CX23885 should still support it...?

It might be in the card's install drivers...?

[Seraphic-]

Have some good information to report! :)

After calling several locations I was able to talk a few people at Conexant about the CX23885.

The chip itself is band new (released this year) and basically, they don't build cards themselves. They build the chip-set and allow companies to purchase it and use in their end product (whatever that may be ). Also, (from what the person I talked to understands) these companies can pick and choose what features to allow the chip to do. (i.e - even though the chip supports "480i YPrPb, 480p YPrPb, 720p YPrPb, 1080i YPrPb" a company can only allow it to support 480i)

The woman I spoke to also said that the following companies have purchased the CX23885 chip (but she was not sure for what use): hauppauge digital | ait | dtr electronics | unitronic

Here are the tech line phone numbers if anyone wants to call and try and get more information: 856-608-1389 : 951-817-9000
You can also try their contact page HERE (http://www.conexant.com/contact.html) and call other locations (but when I called, they gave me the two above numbers)

Let's hope, that with some investigating, we can locate a card that supports at least 480p. Try contacting the companies I listed about the CX23885 and see if it's for a capture card.

[ajp_anton]

I may send an email to those tomorrow, if you aren't already doing that.

Btw, what about CX23886/7/8?
The conexant website only has info about 5 and very little about 7.

[Seraphic-]

I may send an email to those tomorrow, if you aren't already doing that.

Btw, what about CX23886/7/8?
The conexant website only has info about 5 and very little about 7.

I sent one to Hauppauge Digital and another back to Leadtek (to get some clarification). As for the CX23886/7/8, no, I really don't know too much about those chips. Is there a specification .pdf?

[Seraphic-]

I received no reply from Hauppauge Digital about the CX23885.

Anyway, does anyone know what the difference between the Earthsoft PV3 Revision A and B is along with the difference between the Red vs Green version of the card?

[Dot50Cal]

I received no reply from Hauppauge Digital about the CX23885.

Anyway, does anyone know what the difference between the Earthsoft PV3 Revision A and B is along with the difference between the Red vs Green version of the card?

rev a0: original
rev a1: red board. regulators changed from variable to fixed-type. saved 4 resistors.

revb: removed cut in the pci slot, making it fixed at 32bit pci (previous revision were "supposedly" fittable in 64bit slot without actually using 64bits). removed one resistor network. removed 6 resistors. removed 2 capacitors.

These are just layout/design changes. There are no hardware changes.

You can look here for specific changes:
http://earthsoft.jp/PV3/tech-pcb-revision.html

Info thanks to Timecop at AVS Forum.

[Seraphic-]

Found a capture card that allows for 480p. It's called the "Digital Rapids DRC-1000" and costs about $2,000... :p

rev a0: original
rev a1: red board. regulators changed from variable to fixed-type. saved 4 resistors.

revb: removed cut in the pci slot, making it fixed at 32bit pci (previous revision were "supposedly" fittable in 64bit slot without actually using 64bits). removed one resistor network. removed 6 resistors. removed 2 capacitors.

These are just layout/design changes. There are no hardware changes.

You can look here for specific changes:
http://earthsoft.jp/PV3/tech-pcb-revision.html

Info thanks to Timecop at AVS Forum.

Thanks for the reply, Dot50Cal.

Did you ever own one and do you know if it accepts RGB or YCbCr/YPbPr?

Also, was the EarthSoft PV3 only sold on their official website?

[Seraphic-]

Did anyone see that EarthSoft (http://earthsoft.jp/PV4/tech-specification.html) is releasing a PV4 sometime in September (for about 18,800 Yen or $164 USD)? From what I understand, it offers the same features of the PV3, but has design changes that allow for a lower price. About 100-200 will be released each month and will not doubt sell out within minutes. I'm still going to try and get one though.

Also, I talked to someone that owns a PV3. It seems the card doesn't offer "lossless" capture, but instead uses a proprietary DV codec that is "lossy" (which is kind of a let down). Can anyone confirm this? (this might be changed on the PV4 if true) Also, the PV4 still uses an 8-Bit DAC. Here is a link to the chip-set: HERE (http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0%2C2877%2CAD9980%2C00.html).

[Dot50Cal]

I own one right now :) Im not entirely sure what it accepts to be honest. All I know is that you will need a Japanese "D" cable to component (preferably female, but that might be hard to come by). EDIT: It accepts YCbCr/YPbPr.

Yep, PV3 was only sold on the website and ALWAYS sold out of their 500# stock within 1 minute of sale.

Yes, PV3 uses its own codec by default. Some guys have found a way to get the signal being sent to the PV3 monitor app though into an Avisynth script, but the image appears washed out for me, but that could be because I am putting the AVS script into VirtualDub. I can get some captures of lossless vs their codec, give me a little bit. Its quite efficient and I dont think you'd notice much difference to be honest.

If you take pictures using the PV3 app, the pictures are lossless but there are no options to change the codec in the PV3 app. But like I said some guys got the PV3 source to display using a .avs script, Im just not sure how I can use that to capture besides an app like Virtualdub, and that just gives a washed out image.

Some other things to take into consideration:

It can capture 1080p content, it just captures at 960x1080.

If you have a 7.1 setup (or possibly just more than 2 speakers) any audio played through your speakers will mess up a bit (crackle, etc) unless you set your windows speaker settings to 2 speakers. This isnt recorded, but if you want to play the game live and listen its best to do this.

It captures Optical Audio only. There are no options to record from any source other than the PV3 itself. It only captures 2 channel stereo audio.

The application is in Japanese Kanji. You will need to fiddle around to get a good handle on things, unless you are lucky enough to have a friend who can speak Japanese. I do, and had him translate it for me, then I used Resource Hacker to fill in the spots.


Edit
As promised, heres a comparison:

This is a direct capture using the PV3 app's screenshot function. As far as I can tell, this produces a "lossless" image direct from the source.
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/pv3/ps3-screencapture.png

This is a screen capture off a short video I recorded of the same scene with the PV3's codec.
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/pv3/ps3-videocapture.png

Im not sure if this is accurate but you can see the difference in size, with the increase in compression comes lower filesize. Though Im not sure if you can equate PNG compression to actual video compression?

And as I was speaking about, there is a way to get the PV3's source image into other apps and record to lossless. Though, you need to have the PV3 app open itself. This might be the cause of the lack of contrast and such. Maybe someone more educated on that can compare and give me some tips? I'm willing to follow if you guys can suggest tips to fix this. Also do note that you lose 10 pixels in width using this for some reason.
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/pv3/ps3-avssource.png

Heres another comparison. This is a super fast 60 fps game, and when I took the screen capture while recording the video stuttered a bit, so its not an exact 1:1 matchup but it serves its purpose :)

Direct screenshot from PV3 source:
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/pv3/ssd-lossless.png

Screenshot of the video recording (compressed with PV3's codec):
http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/pv3/ssd-lossy.png

If anyones interested, a 720p version of this game is available from me on Stage6. Though be warned, Divx wreaked hell on the games compression. Its a shadow of its former self:
http://stage6.divx.com/user/Dot50Cal/video/1553128/Super-Stardust-HD-(PS3)-First-3-levels-720p-HD

[Seraphic-]

Looks good, damn good... :)

So how are you hooking up your PS3 to the PV3? Component to D-Terminal or a full PS3 D-Terminal Cable?

My sound card has a Analog/SPDIF in and I've been using that for awhile now with my component PS2 gaming captures, but at 480i (lol).

One bad thing about the PV3/PV4 is it only takes SPDIF audio and PS1 games don't output SPDIF, just analog (for now, I would be using this for upscaling PS1/PS2 games). Another is that it only allows for 720x480i/p. The PS2's 4:3 mode is 640x480 and it's 16:9 mode is 640x480 Anamorphic. (I can always resize the 4:3 though and upscale the 16:9)

I was thinking of building a new quad core system and buying a PV3 Rev B or a PV4 (if I can get), along with a DeckLink HD Extreme or DeckLink HD Pro 4:4:4. I doubt my current AMD 64 4000+ (single core) would be able to take those crazy HD captures. What are you system specs as of now? Any capture issues with 720p/1080i/p captures? (frame-rate, audio/video sync etc)

Also, ever find a use for that Intensity Pro?

[Dot50Cal]

Im using a component cable, but the thought never even occured to me to use a D-Terminal Cable :) Ill have to track one of those down to see if it makes a difference. The PS3's Component Out (analog out as they call it) is pretty poor though compared to other consoles.

You can always get an RCA/PHONO to SPDIF converter box, I did so I can capture from older consoles. Though some have issues, like the Sega Saturn when using SCART (I also purchased an SCART > Component box).

I have a 4800+ X2 (Dual Core), 2GB Ram (You'll need a lot for editing in avisynth). Their codec compresses on the fly, so you'll need a beefy CPU :)

No issues with audio sync, this thing is great :) Though I assume you might run into trouble if your system isnt able to keep up.

My friend has the Intensity Pro, Its good he says, but their capture software looks like crap. Its just one giant record button lol. Ill see if I can get some more info about it though for you. I do recall him saying there was noticable lag when playing games, a delay between his input and the actions on screen though. PV3 doesnt have that on my system.

Give me a little bit and Ill capture some Gears of War footage for you :) It really shows well :)

My capture setup:

For Component out native consoles, I use that. Heres the chain:
Component cable from the console is fed into my Radio Shack 4 way signal amplifier. From there the signal is fed out a JVC Component to D-Terminal cable and into the card.

I bought the Radio Shack amp before I got the card, expecting the software to be lacking fullscreen while recording, etc etc, however its pretty good software which can go fullscreen while recording a-ok.

For older consoles, I use RGB Scart, but I convert the SCART to component with a box. Since most old consoles dont do SPDIF, I bought a converter for that as well. It was pretty hard to find though.

JVC Cable - http://www.jvcservice.com/store/ProductDetail.asp?part=QAM0465-001
Analog to SPDIF - http://www.sys-concept.com/Analog_to_Digital_Converter.htm

[Seraphic-]

Yeah, they sell Playstation 3 D-Terminal Cables in Japan, but Play-Asia them too. They offer two versions, but not sure what one would offer a better signal.

Sony D-Terminal Cable (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-2bed-71-n-49-en-84-j-70-1pn5.html) and Hori D Terminal Cable (http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-2bed-71-n-49-en-84-j-70-1o25.html)

Agreed, I would have to get something like an "Analog-to-Digital Converter" for the Playstation 1 game audio. Do you remember the price of that?

My current system has 2GB ram and a 250GB SataII HDD, but again, my cpu is only single core @ 2.4 Ghz (AMD 64 4000+)

What type/size hard drive do you have? Also, how large are the captured video files per minute? Like for 480p/720p/1080i/p.

As for your capture setup it looks good. However, you should try to use a direct connection. The reason being that using lots of splitters and converters will degrade the signal. Also, so you got the signal amplifier before the PV and don't need it? Or The signal amplifier allows the PV to capture full screen?

Ordered a PS3 the other day and I'm going to get one of those PS3 D-Terminal cables if I can get a hold of a PV card.

You have a chance to record those Gears of War videos?

[Dot50Cal]

Yep, Im tracking down a cable now ;) Most likely Ill go with the official one since 3rd party ones have tended to be worse in my experience.

I think it was around 50 dollars, its for sale on that site I linked to somewhere.

I have a 600GB HDD I record to. Its two 300GB Maxtor's raided together with SATA. 7L300S0 are their model numbers.

A really fast paced shooter game in 720p (Super Stardust HD) is around 31GB for 25 minutes of footage. This will of course vary greatly.

I tried capturing some Gears footage but to compress it to a decent size it looks like crap. Plus its been ages since I played the game and Im terribly rusty. Ill see if I can capture another game tonight. I've been a bit busy :P

Ill PM you the link when its uploaded. (You'll need an x264 decoder installed).

>>Also, so you got the signal amplifier before the PV and don't need it? Or The signal amplifier allows the PV to capture full screen?

I dont need it, Passing the cables through a female to female RCA jack is enough, though I still use it just incase I need to send the signal to another television or something.

[Dot50Cal]

http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/GTHD%20Final.mp4

Someones replay of GTHD. I captured at 1080p (960x1080) and resized to 720p size. For GTHD it actually looks better than native 720p, since you get odd scaling issues with far away backgrounds.

[Seraphic-]

Using a direct D-Terminal connection should improve the picture a fair amount. Let me know if you find a better price for official Sony version though. Also, be sure to find out if they are the PS2 or PS3 edition before you buy. It seems both work with both systems, however, it would be better to get one designed for PS3, rather then one designed for the PS2, and works with the PS3.

How much cache do your hard drives have and what raid setup are you using? And 31GB isn't too bad for 25 minutes, I thought it larger in fact.

Don't worry about the GoW. Just wanted to get some more samples to view the picture quality.

That video is awesome, looks great. :D

What x264 encoder are you using? I've always had a hard time when trying to use them. lol.

Also, about your friend's Intensity Pro, does that work with the PS3 when using HDMI? Or is HDMI gaming on the PS3 encrypted (i.e, won't display video/audio)?

[Dot50Cal]

16MB cache on the HDD's

I use Megui ;) It takes a really long time to encode even with a top of the line system but the results cant be argued with.

No, the Intensity Pro doesnt do HDCP and the PS3 requires it.

[Seraphic-]

Yeah, thought it wouldn't work. Don't we all love DRM? :D

Anyway, I had a hard time with Megui. I could never get audio to be encoded with my video and the final video output always came out as a REALLY low bit-rate. (even when using HQ/Insane settings)

[Dot50Cal]

Well, you do the audio seperate and then mux them together with the Tools menu ;) I use my own custom settings, based off the recommended ones when you get the tooltips.

Also Im not sure how big of a difference Ill see using a direct D-Terminal cable. Its been my experience that a few links in the chain like I have now dont really do significant damage to the singal. That should especially be negated since Im using an AMP powered signal splitter, but Ill give it a go and report the results ;)

[jmac698]

Just want to mention that any capture card can do 480p from component, as long as you can play the exact video in 3 passes. I've done it here.
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=107923&highlight=component4all

[Dot50Cal]

Got the PS3 D-Terminal cable in. The difference is slight, but its there. 1.90MB pics:

http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/D-term.png

http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/comp.png

[Seraphic-]

Got the PS3 D-Terminal cable in. The difference is slight, but its there. 1.90MB pics:

http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/D-term.png

http://dot50cal.the-horror.com/comp.png

The big difference I see is that the comp image looks brighter, but in terms of quality, the D-term looks more detailed.

What firmware your PS3 running? Just got mine today and it came with 1.51.

On another note, the PV4 was released few days ago. People buying them and reselling for about 2x...:mad: