~Updated Description on 2/15/2012~ : added some pros to both device.
To clarify, this comparison is the PCIe ver. not the USB ver. for the AVerMedia HD DVR. I do not own the USB ver. thus I can not give any input.
As for the New Hauppauge HD PVR Gaming edition, its basically the same as HD PVR 1212 with just the change of included software is different.
Recently purchased AVerMedia AVerTV HD DVR for streaming purposes.
Just want to compare the quality of the video recorded from both device at their max setting then rendered at 10mb bitrate.
This video may or may not help you choose between two capture device for future purchases. Just leave some comment below, for it might be some help to others that do consider purchasing either. Remember to read the following video description too.
Both are recorded thru component cables and at 720p res. AVerMedia AVerTV HD DVR has HDMI input but it has HDCP, which require me to use FRAPS if I do want to record thru HDMI. Either way, to give HD PVR a fair shake both is recorded thru component cables.
Note video source were split two/three ways; 1 to HDTV, 2 to HD PVR, 3 to HD DVR.
Here's my own opinion, HD PVR has a nicer default color setting and brightness but of course using SONY Vegas or any advance video editing software can add tweak to those settings.
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Now to List the Pros & Cons for each device:
Hauppauge HD PVR 1212:
Pros:
-Hardware Encoder (Does not require a mid/or high end PC to record HD videos) (Side note: I used my Acer AspireOne Intel Atom Processor mini laptop to record before and the video came out fine. Just that if you watch it in an Atom Processor, you might see lag/frame skip but just transfer that video file to a better PC. Then, you'll see its not the video but the processor (Intel Atom) can't process the video to be frame skip/lag free)
-Has optical audio input for 5.1ch surround sound recording
-New Drivers + New Xsplit can now use HD PVR as a camera source to broadcast without the need screen capturing.
-Only if you are using screen capturing to broadcast then you can use the Arcsoft TotalMedia to record while simultaneously broadcast.
Cons:
-Video lag/delay (Cannot directly play from PC due to 1-5sec video delay)
-For FME broadcasting software only! it cannot directly use HD PVR as an video input source. If you use xsplit it render this con pointless.
(Req. Screen Capturing Program to Screen Cap the Total Media Extreme Video Window, thus require more processing speed. in another words needs a mid to high end PC if you want to use HD PVR to broadcast live.)
-~$190 price tag??, not alot might willing to spend this much I guess.
AVerMedia AVerTV HD DVR:
Pros:
-No Video lag/delay (Can play directly using the PC and don't need to split video source to HDTV to play)
-FME, Xsplit & other broadcasting software can directly use HD DVR as input source (Ideal way for using to broadcast live)
-You can use screen capturing to broadcast so that you can record with Aver Media Center while simultaneously broadcast.
- ~$85 price tag, cheap compare to many others HD capture device out there.
Cons:
-Not Hardware Encoder (Req. a mid/or high end PC to record HD quality videos)
-HDMI input is HDCP'ed (Can only view HDCP content thru its own provided software and no recording functionally when watching through HDMI, but can bypass if FRAPS is used)
-Req. PCI-E slot (Note you can plug this into a x16 slot too, if you don't have any available x1 slot. Which is what I'm currently doing so.)
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Hauppauge HD PVR 1212:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116030
AVerMedia AVerTV HD DVR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100049
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H264 Video Codec @ 1920x1080p 60FPS 10mb bitrate
44.1KHz 128,000bps Audio Bitrate
MP4 Container
