Elgato's USB Video Capture device and software proves that just because it's overpriced and professionals use it, doesn't mean you can expect professional-quality results from it. In fact, exactly the opposite!

Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:37 Overview
2:56 Initial tests
5:56 VHS test
7:09 Comparison to DVD recorder
8:29 Hi8 test
9:34 Bad de-interlacing
9:52 Computer/video game test
10:36 Using OBS
12:03 Teardown
13:00 Elgato's response
13:42 Conclusion

Additional notes:
1. The Windows version of the Elgato software uses a slightly higher video bitrate (2.5 Mbps) than the Mac version, but that's still too low for good quality. It has a "high resolution" option, but that's just the normal 640x480; if you uncheck it, you get 320x240.
2. The Honestech VHS to DVD software that comes with many of the EasyCap devices works fine with the Elgato, and ironically produces much higher quality than Elgato's own software, since it can record MPEG2 video at up to 10 Mbps, and has better-quality de-interlacing.
3. The cheaper Diamond VC500 I mentioned is actually more fully-featured than the Elgato, because it has power and recording LEDs and a recording start/stop button on the device itself; Elgato's version eliminated these features, but still has traces for them on the circuit board.
4. Just like the EasyCap, numerous variations and rebrandings of the OTG102 hardware design used by the Elgato have been on the market for many years (since at least 2009), usually with some reference to "Grabber" in their name. You can buy generic versions of it for as little as $15.

#VHStapes #digitizing #RetroTech