Streaming/recording hardware

[firewingpegasus]

Hello. ^_^

I can't find anywhere else where this would fit... but I do hope someone's able to help me out. Does anyone have any suggestions of capture cards that would be good for streaming Smash 4 Wii U? I've been looking around online and I find Elgato and HD PVR seem to be pretty common... but I do want the opinion of someone who has Smash as the main intention in mind.

Basically, would it be worth it going for the 60fps models if streaming will be more common than recording? What about the software used? what's.. .I guess, better, is the word? lol

If this isn't the place to ask this, I apologize.. Just thought I'd ask

 

[Deadlybroth]

If you're looking for mainly smash streaming, then 60 fps is definitely the way to go, and it also helps that YouTube now supports 60fps as well. For a capture card, the HD PVR 2 is alright, and it used to be the best on the market. But now, brands like Elgato and Avermedia have caught up. Anything from either should be fine, just stay away from anything with "portable" or some similar derivative unless you have a very specific situation where it's absolutely necessary, and also be sure to check out a bunch of reviews and do some research on the product you do settle on, just to be safe.
If streaming is the main focus, then 60fps is the way to go. YouTube has also recently started support for 60fps, so there's that as well. Even if you don't upload videos at 30fps, I find that it is useful to do so anyways so that you can have clean slow-motion for combo videos and stuff like that.
The capture card that I would fully recommend is the Elgato Game Capture HD60. It can record at 1080p 60fps, so it's going to be the around best quality for the price. It doesn't outright say in the description that it supports the Wii U, but in truth, it supports basically anything with an HDMI output. The packaged software is fine, but if you want to be more serious about streaming, then you should ignore that and use OBS. OBS is a free livestreaming/recording software that works very well, just be wary that you will need a computer with decent specs to do all this. It's about 40-50$ more than the non 60fps version, but I still think it's worth it.

 

[RetroBro]

There's a lot of effort and work that goes into understanding how to record and stream gameplay. I bought an HD PVR (Hauppauge Gaming Edition 2) this year, and it took me about a good solid 2-3 months to be able to say I understand how to use it properly. Make sure you do a lot of research and read people's reviews of each product you're considering. The Hauppauge that I bought does have hiccups and will ruin recordings on occasion. It's rare, but it does happen. I've heard good things about the Elgato, and I'm considering purchasing one to test it out.

Streaming at 60fps while having a nice resolution is definitely a hard balance to strike depending on your internet connection. You will have options depending on what piece of hardware you buy. But don't be disappointed if you find yourself looking at your stream and it isn't 60FPS+1080p, because it won't be the Elgato, Hauppauge, or whatever you chose to buy... it'll be your internet connection.

 

[firewingpegasus]

Thanks. I did read that compatibility-wise the Wii U doesn't even have any sort of encryption, so at least in that aspect it's looking good.

I do have a really good internet connection too. I do appreciate the warning that without a good connection streaming would be bad, though.

 

[RetroBro]

My internet connection runs quite well, and I'm only able to achieve certain FPS's and resolutions... but it almost always still looks good!

 

[Deleted member 245254]

I have the Elgato HD60 and wouldn't have it any other way. With the software you can tweak the bitrate depending on your connection, the 1080p 60FPS looks glorious, it's got some (minimal) overlay modification in terms of setting up a webcam box and other various things, you can link to your YT and twitch accounts for quick uploading or stream access through colorful buttons on a minimalist, slate black interface.

All you do is hook the thing in between your Wii U and your output display (it has an HDMI port on each side) and there you go, the software picks it up.

Very happy with it.