How To: capture video from your 360, PS3, Wii with $9

Hey, would you like to be as cool as this:

You wish! But you could do the next best thing, and that's capturing your earth shattering game play with the Easycap DC60.

Originally retailing for forty dollars, you can buy this at Amazon for $8.50. This device will capture video from any composite source: Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, VCR, TV, Bears, Camcorders, etc.. The device comes with an CD that includes drivers and a Ulead video program. This device will work with Windows XP and Windows 7. Vista?  Let's face it, nothing works on Vista.

This guide assumes that you were gullible enough to buy it (Congrats!) and ready to install:

Step 1 Consult the phases of the Moon to see if the time is right to install.

You can go to

http://www.calculatorcat.com/moon_phases/phasenow.php

too see the current stage. My recommendation is to wait until the moon is 51% full or higher. Anything lower and you could get a virus!

Step 2 If the destined time has come, install the drivers first.

Warnings

• Do not rush and plug in the device first, this isn't sex, take your time and do it right.

1. You can install the driver from the installation cd that came with the device.
2. Insert CD and a setup screen should come up.
3. Select "Install Driver" and select Yes or OK until the installation is finished.
4. If you get a compatability warning, just select to "continue anyways"
5. Check online to see who's left in Dancing with the Stars... Ocho Cinco forever!
6. While you are on the setup screen, go ahead and install the free Ulead video Software. The serial key is on the back of the cover for the installation CD.
7. Restart your computer.

Tips

• If the installation CD doesn't work or is missing later on, you can download the drivers online at http://download.driverguide.com/driver/EASYCAP+DC60+-+STK1160+CHIPSET/Syntek/d1419529.html
• If the Video Software does not work with your computer, try a free trial of Ulead's latest software. It's a 30 day trial, give you time to find a better software solution in the future: http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1224171780177#tabview=tab5
• If you already have video software, you don't have to use Ulead. Just make sure your software can "capture from outside source".

Step 3 Connect the EasyCap Device to the computer.

Once you restart, the computer should be able to recognize the recording device. Connect it and wait one minute for installation to complete.

Step 4

Step 5 Once the area is safe, get out of the car and prepare your game system.

The composite cables needed come with your game system, you should have them. This is what they look like (360, PS3, Wii in order):

All 3 systems:

• Make sure only the composite cable is plugged in. If you have an HDMI cable connected, unplug it. Do this when the system is turned off.
• The systems will recognize composite mode automatically, no need to play with system settings. When you want to go back to HDMI again, just unplug the composite cables, plug in your HDMI cable, and the systems will recognize the change again.

Step 6 Connect the game system's composite cable with the Easycap

Plug in the corresponding yellow, white, and red plugs from the game system's cable to the Easycap.

Step 7 Go to step 8  

Step 8 Open your video software program to capture video

For example purposes, we'll use Ulead as the video software used.

1. Open the Ulead video program.
2. On the upper menu, you should see "capture", please click on it.
3. On the capture screen, select "EASYCAP DC60 STK1160" or "USB Device ###" as the capturing device source. In windows 7, Easycap does not have a name, just "USB Device ###".
4. Turn on your game system.
5. If you see video of your system on the preview screen, congrats, you did it!
6. If you did not see video, please select another source for "Capture Source".
7. If you hear video but no audio, or audio but no video, you have the correct capture source, but the wrong properties. In this case, go to properties and go through the choices for audio and video until you see or hear what you were missing. This is rare but it does happen.

Step 9 If your  audio and video work correctly, start recording!

• This card captures at NTSC: 720 x 480 @ 30 fps PAL: 720 x 576 @ 25 fps, perfect for youtube.
• Because it's capturing at 480 or 576, the file sizes are very small and manageable making easy to upload.
• Most video software programs let you take screen captures. So besides video, now you can take screen shots!
• There are lots of How to videos for Easycap (most with really bad techno music), just in case reading isn't your strong point.
• From a price point, you can't beat something less than 10 dollars.

End of How To

Here are some sample shots and videos from using the Easycap device:

Video:

Images:

Well hope this guide is somewhat useful.