VideoGame_Discussion

Topic   ELGATO HD60s Recording Woes for Retro Consoles?

chyans6
Gold Good Trader
7-May-2023(#1)
I have an Elgato HD60s, and it records my Switch and PS5 games with no problem. In fact, it performs marvelously, even on my 2018 gaming laptop.

However, I am having an issue with retro consoles, namely N64, Saturn, and PS2. I am running both consoles through the Retrotink 2X, and I have the Elgato connected to that HDMI for input. I need to change the setting on the Retrotink to Line 2X to even have a picture (otherwise, there is only audio). While the footage seems ok for a few minutes, it ends up stuttering and lagging after 5-10 minutes almost every time. I have no idea if this is the Retrotink, the Elgato, or my laptop. I have unplugged all other USB devices other than the Elgato, and I have changed the settings within the Elgato software to the lowest possible quality, and no matter what I try, I am still having this issue.

If anyone has any suggestions, that would be a godsend. Thanks!
Renaissance2K
GameTZ Subscriber Quadruple Gold Good Trader Has Written 4 Reviews
8-May-2023(#2)
These issues are well known with Elgato devices. Any modern to-spec HDMI console usually works without a hitch, but any user mod or scaler - the OSSC, the RetroTink devices, internal HDMI mods like DCDigital and WiiDual - produce footage with stuttering or audio sync issues. I used to own an Elgato HD60 and a HD60 Pro, and I experienced these issues firsthand. I use the 4K60 S+ for some things (it's super handy to have a capture card that doesn't require a host PC) but it still doesn't play nicely with mods and scalers.

If you want a capture device that plays nicely with the RetroTink and such, I'd recommend the AverMedia Live Gamer 4K, which - aside from some occasional audio issues with PlayStation 3 streams - has handled everything I've thrown at it: every BlackDogTech/PixelFX HDMI mod, the MiSTer, the OSSC, RetroTink-5X Pro... the works. It will also capture 4K at 60FPS with passthrough, which would be an upgrade from what you've got now. If you need something external, I've had similar success with the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2, but it's more expensive and less user friendly than the Live Gamer 4K.

If you're interested in the Magewell device, I'll sell one to you for half of the Amazon price. (And I swear I'm not just recommending it because I'm trying to get rid of one.) These are most definitely not the only options out there that worked; the Shmups Hardware forums can probably recommend some other devices, and they may be cheaper (<$200) than what I listed here.

chyans6
Gold Good Trader
13-May-2023(#3)
Hey, sorry for the delayed response, and thanks so much for the info. I'd definitely be looking for something external. I will probably pass for now (just dropped a fair bit on a planet ticket), but I may take you up on this some day. Any price in mind?

Topic   ELGATO HD60s Recording Woes for Retro Consoles?