AverMedia Live Gamer Portable

TMG gets yet another upgrade in terms of recording gear. With Arlie's Elgato Game Capture HD and his newly acquired PS4, I also level up with a new capture device. The AverMedia Live Gamer Portable.

This cute little device is about the size of an iPhone and can record footage with or without a computer. When connected to a PC, you can record footage using RECentral (in either TS or mp4 format) or directly use the device on streaming software such as Xsplit or Open Broadcaster Software. When not connected to a PC, it can also record footage by storing it in a class 10 SDHC card (only records in TS format in this mode). Thanks to Den for hooking me up with this new capture device.

The box it came in is hella fancy and contained quite a bit of accessories given it's size. Included with the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable device is a PS3 SCART cable, a component AV adapter, a line in cable, a USB (male) to USB mini (male) cable, a very short HDMI cable, and a zippered carrying pouch, an instruction sheet, and finally a voucher for a 3-month licence for Xsplit.

Here's a screenshot taken using the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable through RECentral.

Here are some test videos I recorded using the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable in both RECentral and in PC-free mode.

PS3 footage recorded with the RECentral software: Settings: Bitrate: 12mbps Resolution: 720p Frame Rate: 30fps Format: mp4

PS3 footage recorded PC-free on a 16gig SDHC card: PS3 footage recorded PC-free on a 16gig SDHC card: Resolution: 720p Frame Rate: 60fps Format: TS converted to mp4

Recorded using PC-free mode on a 16gig SDHC card Resolution: 720p Frame Rate: 60fps Format: raw TS file

Recorded using PC-free mode on a 16gig SDHC card Resolution: 1080p Frame Rate: 60fps Format: TS converted to mp4 PC screen setup (dual monitors) set to "Extend Displays".

Recorded using PC-free mode on a Class 10 16gig micro SDHC card Resolution: 720p Frame Rate: 60fps Format: raw TS file

Recorded using PC-free mode on a class 10 16gig SDHC card Resolution: 720p Frame Rate: 60fps Format: TS converted to mp4 PC screen setup (single monitor) set to "Duplicate Displays".

RECentral captures Wii and PS2 footage in 4:3 even if the consoles are set to widescreen so I had to change the aspect ration of this video before uploading. Bitrate: 12mbps Frame Rate: 30fps Format: mp4

Like how PSP games are displayed on TVs via the PSP-2000/3000's TV-out, I had to eliminate the black gaps around the edges. Bitrate: 12mbps Frame Rate: 30fps Format: mp4

Had to cut out the black edges on all sides. Bitrate: 12mbps Frame Rate: 30fps Format: mp4

By the way, you can find Arlie streaming live on our Twitch.tv channel so follow us there if you want to catch the streams.

Elgato Game Capture HD

Arlie recently got his hands on a new capture device. The Elgato Game Capture HD. A sleek little capture device that can record using HDMI. Arlie did recorded some footage, testing the different settings of the capture device, as I did with my AverMedia DarkCrrystal HD Capture Station.

You can find out more about the Elgato game capture HD here.

Recent Buys: Episode 29 - The Big Haul

A new episode of Recent Buys showing off the things I've accumulated in the past month. I bought a lot of stuff. Stuff that is not related to the next gen consoles. Don't judge me. I like action figures.

Items in this episode: Portal 2 Lenticular 3D Post Card Revoltech Raiden from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Injustice: Gods Among Us Collector's Edition (US ver) Play Arts Kai Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend Limited Edition

Play Arts Kai Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII

It's finally here. The third figure in my small Play Arts collection, the Play Arts Kai Lightning Returns figure from Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII.

I pre-ordered this around 2-3 weeks ago at Datablitz with a down payment of 500php. The figure itself goes for 2,995php and I think it was less 100php when paid with cash.

The box has a nice fold out front flap that closes using Velcro like the previous Lightning figure from Final Fantasy XIII-2 and displays the figure and all of it's accessories. She comes with 2 sets of hands (closed fists and open palms) and an additional hand made for holding her sword "Crimson Blitz". Also included is her "Night Lotus" shield and a Play Arts display base not seen though the window of the box.

There is no instruction sheet included but there are instructions printed on the side of the internal card sleeve which shows how to use the accessories as well as how to assemble the display base.

The sculpt and paint on the figure is superb as is the way of Play Arts figures. She doesn't have the best poseability but has enough to do some fine poses and a few dynamic stances given the range of her hip and ankle articulation. The cloak parts of made of soft PVC plastic so they do not hinder the articulation at all. Her hips, knees and ankles are ratcheted and Lightning can stand on her own in most poses without the assistance of the included stand.

I tend to look for articulation in figures but the silhouette of the Play Arts Kai Lightning Returns figure is just so good that she can look like a badass by simply standing. The cloaks are posed to look like they are swaying in the wind which adds a great effect.

When I picked up my figure at the Datablitz branch in EDSA Shangri-la Plaza mall, I was told that people kept calling in asking about the availability of the figure and that they've also had a lot of people who walked in and wanted to buy it but the clerks said that the only stocks they had was for the people who pre-ordered. So if you didn't pre-order the Play Arts Kai Lightning Returns figure before hand, you may have trouble finding it. Call your nearest Datablitz branch and inquire about the figure before you go, just to be sure.

Oh and here's a size comparison of Lightning next to the Revoltech Raiden from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. I forgot to tell you guys that I also got that figure.

Throwback Thursday - Karateka (NES)

We got another one for you guys today. Bust out your onesies and black belts and get ready to front kick your way to victory in Karateka for the NES!