Gamebridge AVC-1400 USB 2.0 Cnct Xbox PS2 To Pc Xp SP2 2K SP4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought Adaptec Gamebridge AVC-1400 just for the possibility to play console game without a TV. Adaptec has another model, AVC-1410, which includes TV tuner. But I don't see a TV tuner is useful for me. So, I went with 1400 instead.

AVC-1400 comes with a Gamebridge main unit, a USB cable to connect Gamebridge to the computer, a 4-in-1 cable to connect the video/audio source like game console to Gamebridge, and Installation CD/guide.

USB cable uses the standard mini-USB connector on Gamebridge side, and USB A on PC side.

4-in-1 cable has composite, audio L and R, and S-Video for A/V source, and a very small proprietary connector (smaller than that mini-USB) for the Gamebridge main unit side. The small connector worries me, as it seems to be quite easy to break.

It's misleading to say AVC-1400 is small. The Gamebridge main unit is small for sure, but you can't just carry main unit with you and not bring AV 4-in-1 cable and USB cable. Without those cables, you can't have the video/audio send to your computer. So, consider all the pieces you need to get this to work, the whole thing is not that small. Also, I don't really like the idea to have this AV 4-in-1 cable. I'd prefer all the A/V connectors to be built into the Gamebridge main unit itself. That way, you don't have to worry about breaking that tiny connector. Also, you have less pieces to carry around, thus less chance to lost something.

Software installation includes two parts - Gamebridge driver and InterVideo Home Theater application. Both installed smoothly from the included CD. Application installation take longer than I expected. Also, I thought I don't really need InterVideo Home Theater application.

I tried this thing with my two sons playing GameCube. The video quality is pretty good, but full screen mode is a little bit blurry, as my son put it. Then again, the result is actually better than I expected. I have no problem with sound, unlike a user has reported earlier. Recording is fine too. There is a very short video freeze immediately after click on recording button, but smooth after that. Recording has three mode - Good, Better, and Best. My test was done with Best video quality.

I thought I should be able to use any software that has video capture ability to display the video from A/V source. But I tried Skype and VLC, both failed to open up Gamebridge capture device. VLC actually hung my Windows.

All in all, Gamebridge does provide me the ability to play console games using my computer as a TV monitor. And it allows me to record the game session. All in pretty good video/audio quality. 4-star rating because I don't like the fact that I need to carry three pieces of hardware. This will be a perfect device if the USB cable and A/V cable are built into the Gamebridge.

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Product Description:
There are adapters that let you catch video on your PC. Adaptec's AVC-1400 GameBridge is a way to capture the signal from your videogame console so you can play them on your PC monitor. GameBridge gives you increased flexibility and mobility in playing console games by freeing you from the TV. It allows you to prove your gaming prowess with digital evidence of your superior skills. GameBridge maximizes your entertainment space by playing console games and watching TV shows on the same display. GameBridge is compatible with existing Game Consoles PS, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, and GameCube. The kit comes complete with all items needed to connect your Game Console to a PC or notebook. It includes GameBridge, 4-in-1 Audio Video cable, USB2.0 cable, Quick Start Guide, and a CD containing driver and application software and a user's guide.

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Multi-Input VGA Box for DVD, PS2, PlayStation, Gamecube, XBOX, Dreamcast, Digital Camera / Camcorder and More Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought it to use my N64 (W00t, retro gaming!)on my monitor, since I don't own a TV.It has four mini RCA inputs (Standard DVD player and console outputs, one video and two audio) and one VGA input- one 1/8th inch audio (standardfor headphones/speakers) out and one VGA out.It has two other features, one button to change the resolution and a button for each input to change the input selection.The resolution settings are 640x480@60Hz, 640x480@75Hz, 800x600@60Hz, 800x600@75Hz, and 1024x768@60Hz.(I don't know why there isn't a 1024x768@75Hz option, maybe that's just too much demand on the machine.)If that's mumbo jumbo to you, just press the "RESOLUTION" button on the front repeatedly until you're happy with how your picture looks.

It's much cheaper than most mini RCA to VGA converters.I was told to expect about $100, and that is what I found for most of them, which seemed absurd to me.I think you will agree that this is a much happier price.I can have my N64, Dreamcast, Cube, and DVD player all hooked up to the same box and switch between them all by pressing their respective buttons, which is much quicker than swapping out cords.

But all is not happy.The picture's quality is noticeably reduced.The color is a bit off, and it seems a bit blurred as well, but that might be because I'm used to play my N64 games from further away on a TV much larger than my monitor, which might have made the image look sharper.You definitely do not want to hook up your XBox 360 or PS3 through this thing.I mostly play old video games, and you have to accept that the graphics suck anyway, so no big deal for me. Interestingly, I have noticed more of a problem with with color in Zelda than in Perfect Dark, and more of a problem with blurriness in Perfect Dark than in Zelda.I attribute the extra blurriness to more motion in the fast moving first-person shooter Perfect Dark and concentrating on other things and so not noticing the color being off.Where as in Zelda, I'm wandering around and taking my time to figure stuff out, so I notice the color being wrong (everything seems a bit more red, which is especially odd since I'm in the fire dungeon right now) but I'm not moving quickly enough to really notice the image blur.

Also, the resolution settings are not saved for each input, which is why I wouldn't plug my computer into this box if I could help it.I don't know for sure, maybe it doesn't mess with you VGA in, but I was happy that I use DVI for my computer, and so didn't have to try the little experiment.(So all of my mini-RCA things plug into my box which plugs into my monitor VIA a VGA cable, but my computer plugs into my monitor via my DVI cable, so to switch between my computer and my VGA converter box I just switch my input on my monitor.)

Because the resolution settings aren't saved, you'd have to manually change the resolution when you go from a N64, which likes a very low resolution, to a GameCube (Or any other newer console besides the 360 or PS3) which prefers a higher resolution.You could certainly get by without changing the resolution, but the picture really looks significantly better when at its proper resolution.(On a side note, if you want to see was Gears of War looks like at 640x480, this is how you could find out.)

As to the audio, this box adds a hum to it.It's really quiet, so if you're playing video games you'll only hear it during loading screens.Also, it's not a steady tone, or that "CHHHHH" sound that is annoying at any volume that you hear when your television's trying to get a station but can't.It's got a low, gentle oscillatingup-down to it, which I actually find rather pleasant.Makes loading screens more interesting for me.=D

I would buy it again for what I am doing, but if I were into PS3 or Xbox 360 gaming, or I had a Wii and was a real Nazi about picture quality, I would probably go for something a little higher-end.

Pros:
Affordable!
4 mini RCA inputs
Easily change resolution
Easily change input
VGA input
Comes with a VGA cable ( I already have a half dozen of these laying around, so I opened the box and went, "Ohhhhhh, great.")

Might be pro or con: Whether or not the box messes with your resolution settings for the VGA input.The small instructions sheet doesn't say, and I'm too lazy to figure it out.(If you really must know, shoot me a message. =D )

Cons:
Picture quality diminished a bit
Resolution settings not saved for different inputs
Some might find audio hum annoying

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Product Description:
The Multi-Input VGA Box is compatible with all game consoles or devices that use RCA connections.The Multi-Input VGA Box accepts any NTSC or PAL system video inputs and convert it into RGB output for any VGA Monitor automatically.The Multi-Input VGA Box also has standard 3.5mm speaker jack to computer speakers; and supports On-Screen Display for easy navigation.Features: * Connect up to four game consoles or devices to PC monitor * Accepts NTSC or PAL systems * On-Screen Display * Includes VGA Cable & AC Adapter

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