That almost sums it up, need only to add “Impressive little piece of equipment!”
My review is not taking into consideration the major differences there are between A/V output sources and the many different types of PC's/software/hardware & setups that other people have.. this is based ONLY on my experience..
My A/V output source is coming from a S-VHS video recorder, yes an antique, with a Satellite dish as the input source to the S-VHS and running over (2) 8-Ft HQ RCA composite cables spliced together.. yes, that's 16 Ft due to the distance from source to PC – which is a 2 yr. old Dell XPS running Win 10 Pro, latest update, 16 GB RAM, 2 TB HD, 64 Bit OS, Intel Core i7 3.60 Ghz.
The ElGato (“The Cat” in Spanish.. WTH came up with that name..? lol)
PRO's:
1. I'm not a Prime subscriber, but this arrived within 2 days of my order.. WOW!
2. Small size. Came with the install CD, instructions & a bunch of other I/O accessories I didn't even know came with it, like a SCART adapter – ok so maybe I didn't read the whole 'what's included' part, lol.
3. Downloaded/installed the software & drivers from their website, plugged this little bad boy in, opened the app, and....
IMPRESSIVE! There it was. Easy to understand GUI, simple settings, audio & picture quality options, loved the 4:3 or 16:9 choice when recording!
4. I would have used an S-VHS cable instead of splicing the RCA's together, but couldn't find one long enough. At first I noticed some 'interference' lines in the video & discovered it was due to an electronic RCA signal booster I was using. By-passed it and got a clean, HQ video stream.
5. I had looked at some other capture boxes even into the $250+ range but the reviews left a lot to be desired, this one had the best reviews – and price.
I tried other capture software but most record in the MPEG-2 format which yields HUGE file sizes and although there's heated debate over it, in the end it seems MP4 is the format of choice, that's what this device uses.
The size/rez output of the ElGato is 640x480, but when using the 16:9 Widescreen option it provides an exceptionally decent video & small file size. I use a Pro-sumer AV editing suite to edit so I can easily convert these to higher/lower resolutions as needed.
6. Features a convenient option for selecting the length of recording time, either pre-defined or custom.
7. Tried my first 30 min continuous recording on one of the most CGI/Graphics intensive piece of video I had on hand: “THOR: The Dark World”.
The results were absolutely exceptional. The video was exactly as clear & HQ as I saw in the stream feed window before recording. NO 'artifacts', distortions or skips whatsoever & NO audio lag in the entire video, that's just awesome!
8. Just for giggles n' grins I also installed & tried it out on my 5 yr old Asus laptop.. same exceptional results!
Footnote: On both PC's I closed ALL windows & Apps (via Task Manager) so the PC's would run lean & clean BEFORE starting any recording so the CPU wouldn't get distracted or bogged down by other background process that might cause 'data skipping' and affect the recording process.
CONS:
Only one I've found so far.
The GUI does not have a “PAUSE” recording option. You have to record the entire length of time chosen & start all over again. To me at least, that's rather inconvenient & frustrating because I might have a 30 minute clip that I'm working with, but only need several 1-3 minute or numerous seconds long pieces of it and with no Pause option I have to record each piece individually & start all over going thru each of the 4 steps of the interface for the next piece.
Conclusion: I've been using it daily since purchase & haven't encountered even a single problem. I'm completely satisfied with the consistent, reliable video/audio quality, ease of use, small size & affordable price!
(Hint-Hint) Could you guys at El Gato PLEASE add a Pause button to the GUI software..?
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This Item  Elgato Video Capture – USB 2.0 Capture Card Device, Easy to Use, Convert Analog to Digital, with VHS VCR TV to DVD Adapter, for Mac, Windows or iPad |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $85.99 | $20.99 | $87.99 | -25% $134.49 List: $179.99 | $47.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | — | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Camera quality | |||||
| Tech Support | |||||
| Picture quality | |||||
| Easy to use | |||||
| Value for money | |||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | KGKJ | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Daffodil US |
| hardware interface | usb2.0 | usb3.0 | usb2.0 | usb3.0 | usb |
| video output format | MPEG-4 | — | MPEG-4 | — | NTSC |
| operating system | ios | Windows,Mac Os | Windows,Mac | Windows,Mac | Mac OS |
| style | Video Capture | — | Video Capture | Capture Card | — |
Videos
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#thisorthat REVIEW - Elgato VS DIGITNOW iRecord
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From the brand
Reviews with images
five star quality but experience needed
This product got the best review, with many complaining that the Elgato converter has a RCA female connector, while the RCA male (see photo) is needed to plug into the RCA female output on your vcr. You can buy these male chords (both ends are male which plug into Elgatos female connector and the female connector on your vcr. They are fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to what companies charge to convert your vhs tapes. I have had a lot of experience working with RCA chords, and fortunately had some already. So, don't let the extra expense of the male RCA cords deter you, they are really very easy to use in connecting the Elgato convertor to your vcr OUTPUT.Once the hardware is in place, the instructions include how to download the software. Again do not be deterred by this. You will have to install a NET FRAME, or some such name, and then download the Elgato software. No big deal and safe.The Elgato program is downloaded to your desktop so easy to find. You click on it, and the instructions are easy. They lead you through checking that you have connected the yellow video cord and the stereo white and red audio cords. Then, with your vhs tape loaded and in pause mode it shows your on computer. Hit "Start Recording" and watch your recording as it is being recorded. Hit the red stop button at the end. The program has a trim option for when you want the conversion to start, if needed. I always have the tape previewed so it starts when I want it to.THE QUALITY IS WORTH THE WORK. I am amazed at the digital conversion. The mp4 is typically loaded into your "video" folder on your computer.The typical charge to convert a vhs tape is about $25 a tape. Using the Elgato you have paid for it with 3 conversions, and you do not have the hassle of shipping and returning your vhs tapes.
Top reviews from other countries
Leandro Brandão Guimarães
Compatível com MacBook Pro com placa M1!!
Reviewed in Brazil on May 8, 2023
brownshoewearer
Well worth the money, easy to use and decent software
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2022