Capture Device Preview
I bit the bullet and purchased the ExtremeCap U3 capture device and the Wii to HDMI Converter. The ExtremeCap allows me to record 1080p HD video at 60 frames per second using 60 mbits per second. It's real-time too, so I can actually play games using the preview window, no noticeable lag. Meanwhile, the Wii to HDMI converter allows me to play GameCube and Wii games at 1080p resolution through HDMI, which I then capture with the ExtremeCap. This means: 1080p scaled GameCube games with no emulation.
I didn't think it would make all that much difference, but it really, really does! Just look at this comparison!
First, the old, compressed capture, using the best possible in-game lighting conditions and a relatively high bitrate. The result is a very compressed looking video at 720 × 480.
And then, the upscaled version recorded fully digitally. Even though the lighting is terrible by comparison, you can still see almost double the detail on the staff, in Fox's fur, and his wrist computer. You'll have to click the image to see the full resolution (1862 × 1011, cropped 1080p).
This is amazing, but I'm sure you're wondering, "Why now? What is he recording this for, and what's that little red bar in the Staff energy bar?" Excellent questions. I spent my entire evening testing out the ExtremeCap on my Star Fox Adventures Preview Disc, the disc they put in store kiosks. I will soon use this footage to make a video about the differences between the final game and the preview version. There are a lot of subtle changes, and a couple of mysteries solved. This is a video I've been wanting to do for years, and now it the perfect opportunity. Keep a lookout for it!
Comments
:D adventures was my first game. I can’t wait to see the differences.
think the game still goes up to 480p and just scale up to 1080p, so that it could look more nicer.
Ah, Adventures… I was still new to gaming when this game was released… I played 64 on my recently purchased N64 and then got a gamecube and played the hell outta Adventures. I was hooked on Star Fox and loved the shift in gameplay, I’m even more excited for the new elements in Star Fox Wii U!
nice find. I remember the first time I saw Krystal and that was in assault, weird thing was I never new that she was in adventures until I looked up a play threw on the internet. I played the game too with a friend that brought it over he wasn’t even too far from the beginning either we worked all the way to the point were you need to get the three white mushrooms in the cave just out side of the starting area, we didn’t get past that part tho that was the time I found out he was color blind.