El Avermedia Darkcrystal HD es un sistema de captura de vídeo destinado principalmente a gamers. Permite conectar a él una consola (o cualquier otro aparato) y grabar lo que está emitiendo en ese momento para después compartirlo por internet o guardarlo en el ordenador.
This gadget has component, S-Video and RCA (composite) input and HDMI, component and S-Video outputs and allows recording in a resolution of up to 1080i. Despite having an HDMI output, it does not allow recording from that interface, which would undoubtedly have been a plus point to avoid having to depend on cumbersome component cables.
Its operation is very simple: we will connect it to the console through one of its input interfaces (preferably components), we will connect one of its output interfaces to the television and finally the USB that it includes to our computer. Once the entire system is connected, we will open the capture program that comes with the product: Arcsoft TotalMedia Extreme 2 and in it we will select the recording options: video input selection, output selection, video bitrate, audio format and audio bitrate.
Its best feature, apart from the fact that it is capable of recording in HD, is that if it is captured using an input and output component cable, you can view on television what the console is broadcasting (pass through) without having to keep an eye on the computer, when the normal thing with capture devices is that you only see the image on the computer, which allows you to enjoy the games much more when we are recording.
The following video is an example of the quality with which the Avermedia Darkcrystal HD (720p) records:
In addition, software is included to convert the recorded videos to different video formats so you can upload them to YouTube or view them with any program. One drawback that I have found, which is actually quite common in gadgets of this type, is that the software is not compatible with Mac OS X, only with Windows.
In short, if you are looking for a capture device to record your games, the Avermedia Darkcrystal HD is a very good option, especially for its “pass through” feature using component cables and its compatibility with HD resolutions. You can buy it [from 138 euros](https://www.google.es/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=avermedia+crystal#q=avermedia+darkcrystal&hl=es&safe=off&prmd=imvns&sou rce=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=ug0tT8OQCITK0QXqxIitCA&ved=0CDsQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&fp=e5e667f3d925ef60&biw=1328&bih=1232 “Google Shopping”).
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