Newbie questions, Videoh! & Snapstream

[bleclair]

First of all, thanks in advance for any help. I downloaded Snapstream, and I really like it. Skipping past commercials will save months off my life. :-) I only have a laptop, so I'm looking at the Videoh. I'm currently using a wintv-usb, which is ok but the picture could be better, especially when I connect my xbox. (I don't have a TV right now due to moving around a lot for work.)
Questions: (1) Snapstream beats the hell out of my laptop. Moving to a Videoh will reduce CPU usage immensely. Correct? (2) Anyone try hooking up an XBOX/PS2 to the Videoh? I've tried a lot of devices and there is a delay, which sucks for playing games. (3) The picture is bad on my wintv-usb because it's usb 1, right? So the picture should be a lot better with the USB 2.0 device? (4) Why exactly can't you watch live tv with the videoh? (5) How long after your order does it take for Snapstream to ship everything? Thanks again everyone!

[RobertH]

1) Yes it will reduce the cpu required for ENCODING, your cpu will still however be used for DECODING.

2) Dont even bother, all hardware encoders have a lag of anywhere between 10 and 25 seconds before it even gets to the program playing back the vide from the device, the video ends up running thru the hardware encoder wich adds more lag to it than snapstream would with your wintv usb

3) well it is primarily because the wintv usb (non-pro model) is limited to only capturing at 320x240 resolution. A usb 2 device might help but doubtfull, the adaptec can run at both usb1.1 and 2.0

4) Reason described in #2

5) dunno, i downloaded electronically and bought hardware at store (easier to return that way )

[bleclair]

Thanks for the quick reply. With all of your messages on here, maybe SnapStream should give you a job.... ;-)
One last question: The usb device I have work well refresh wise with the XBOX, just the 320x240 limitation hurts. You mentioned the pro, does that do 640x480 or something? I guess what I really want is a device that can do higher than the Wintv-usb I have but still work ok with SnapStream and a gaming device. Possible? Beats me. ;-) I do have USB 2.0 and firewire if anyone can think of a device that meets my needs. Thanks again!

[RobertH]

I only know that the regular has the limitation, i think the pro does higher resolutions (you may want to check hauppauge's product specs on the device to see)

If you set the default recording format to wmv you will see no lag (or almost no lag) because this is shown directly as it runs thru the encoder, but if you are already maxing the cpu out with the usb model at the low res you arent likely going to be able to pull off 640x480 real time encoding.

[bleclair]

Doesn't look like what I want is out there.... I really just want an updated Wintv-usb like device with usb 2.0 so I can get a better resolution. Everything that's USB 2.0 seems to be an encoder, and I have read that like you mentioned above there is a delay when hooking up external sources. That's too bad, guess I'll just have to live with usb 1.1 for now. Hey, SnapStream, let me know of a device that meets my needs and I'll be buying your software in a second! :-)