Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 introduces some exciting new features.
This software update for Mac and Windows now includes:
• Live Streaming with Twitch.tv
• Live Commentary using a microphone that is connected to your computer
Download Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2
You can use the Check For Updates feature in the Elgato Game Capture HD software - that will automatically give you the latest software update.
If you were using the Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 Public Beta, please download the final version now.
You can also download the latest version from here:
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/support/Update-Start/Update-Game-Capture-HD
Live Commentary - Audio Input
Elgato Game Capture HD now has a Live Commentary section. When you first start the software, Live Commentary is not yet setup.
The Live Commentary section will automatically let you choose between any microphones or headsets that are connected to your Mac or PC.
Live Commentary - Start Speaking
Once you have selected your Audio Input, you will need to turn on Live Commentary, before you start speaking.
Use the Live Commentary button to turn your Audio Input on, or off.
When you start Live Commentary, the button will have a small green light on it.
The Level gauge will also start to animate, with green representing a good level of audio.
Finally, you can tell Elgato Game Capture HD to Automatically reduce game sound. That will lower the gameplay volume while you are speaking, so you can be more easily understood.
Twitch - Sign up and Login
Elgato Game Capture HD now has a Live Streaming section. When you first start the software, Live Streaming is not yet setup.
To use Live Streaming, you will first have to create a new Twitch account, or enter your existing Twitch account. To start that process, press the "+" button next to the Account option.
A window will appear, allowing you to Authorize Game Capture HD to use your account.
If you already have a Twitch account, then enter your Username and Password.
If you do not already have a Twitch account, then press the Sign up for an account link. You will then be able to select your Username and Password.
After signing up for a new Twitch account, you will be given a chance again to Authorize Game Capture HD to use your account. Press the purple Authorize button to continue.
Once you are logged in and authorized, your Twitch account will appear in the Live Streaming section of Elgato Game Capture HD.
Twitch - Server Selection
Once your Twitch account is entered into Elgato Game Capture HD, you will need to select a nearby server.
You should pick a server that has the lowest network latency possible. Usually, that's the server that is closest to you geographically, but not always.
Twitch - Stream Bit Rate and Available Bandwidth
Before you start streaming, you can also adjust the bandwidth used to send data to Twitch.
Move the slider to the right to increase the Bit Rate, which will make the video appear sharper.
At the bottom of the Live Streaming section, there is a small icon with a pair of tools on it. Pressing that button calls up a special Settings window.
You have three choices for the Maximum Resolution:
360p
480p
720p
If you are using 720p video, and you lower the Bit Rate a lot, Elgato Game Capture HD will switch the stream over to 480p. This is to maintain the highest visual quality for the chosen Bit Rate - 720p with a very low Bit Rate won't look that good.
Please Note - you cannot use a Bit Rate that is higher than your available Upload bandwidth. Your Upload speed is determined by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You may have a fast Download bandwidth, like 10Mbps, but your Upload bandwidth is likely to be much lower, like 1Mbps.
To find out your available Upload and Download bandwidth, please use a service like http://www.speedtest.net
Twitch - Start Streaming
Once you have entered your Twitch account, and have selected a Server, then you can start Live Streaming.
Press the Live Streaming button to Start and Stop streaming.
When you start Live Streaming, the button will have a small green light on it.
A dialog will come to let you know that "During streaming, videos are captured at a lower quality. Reduce the quality and start streaming now?"
This software update for Mac and Windows now includes:
• Live Streaming with Twitch.tv
• Live Commentary using a microphone that is connected to your computer
Download Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2
You can use the Check For Updates feature in the Elgato Game Capture HD software - that will automatically give you the latest software update.
If you were using the Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 Public Beta, please download the final version now.
You can also download the latest version from here:
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/support/Update-Start/Update-Game-Capture-HD
Live Commentary - Audio Input
Elgato Game Capture HD now has a Live Commentary section. When you first start the software, Live Commentary is not yet setup.
The Live Commentary section will automatically let you choose between any microphones or headsets that are connected to your Mac or PC.
Many computers have a Built-in Input for audio - usually a mini jack. Some computers also have a Built-in Microphone. Elgato Game Capture HD will be able to use either automatically.
If you connect a microphone or headset via USB or Bluetooth, it may appear in the Audio Input menu by name.
Live Commentary - Start Speaking
Once you have selected your Audio Input, you will need to turn on Live Commentary, before you start speaking.
Use the Live Commentary button to turn your Audio Input on, or off.
When you start Live Commentary, the button will have a small green light on it.
The Level gauge will also start to animate, with green representing a good level of audio.
Live Commentary - Adjust Audio
You should also adjust the Volume dial, to make sure the volume of your voice is exactly as you prefer it.
Move the dial in a small, circular arc to adjust the Volume. The more white dots that appear around the dial, the louder your voice will be.
Finally, you can tell Elgato Game Capture HD to Automatically reduce game sound. That will lower the gameplay volume while you are speaking, so you can be more easily understood.
At the bottom of the Live Commentary section, there is a small icon with a pair of tools on it. Pressing that button calls up a special Settings window.
The Threshold slider lets you set what audio level your voice should reach before Automatically reduce game sound is activated.
The Attenuation slider lets you set how much to Automatically reduce game sound when you are speaking.
The game sound is reduced by the amount set in Attenuation if the microphone sound reaches the level set in Threshold.
Please Note:
You should always set up your microphone level first, by using the dial control. If you can't really hear you voice, turn the volume up. If your voice is very loud and distorted, turn the volume down.
Then, turn on Automatically reduce game sound. The blue light next to the Automatically reduce game sound checkbox indicates when your voice is loud enough to trigger the effect.
Increase the Threshold if the blue light is always on, even if you're not speaking.
Decrease the Threshold if the blue light doesn't turn on when you speak.
If the game sound gets reduced too much when you are speaking, reduce the Attenuation level.
The Threshold slider lets you set what audio level your voice should reach before Automatically reduce game sound is activated.
The Attenuation slider lets you set how much to Automatically reduce game sound when you are speaking.
The game sound is reduced by the amount set in Attenuation if the microphone sound reaches the level set in Threshold.
Please Note:
You should always set up your microphone level first, by using the dial control. If you can't really hear you voice, turn the volume up. If your voice is very loud and distorted, turn the volume down.
Then, turn on Automatically reduce game sound. The blue light next to the Automatically reduce game sound checkbox indicates when your voice is loud enough to trigger the effect.
Increase the Threshold if the blue light is always on, even if you're not speaking.
Decrease the Threshold if the blue light doesn't turn on when you speak.
If the game sound gets reduced too much when you are speaking, reduce the Attenuation level.
Live Commentary - Recordings and Live Streaming
When Live Commentary is on, anything you say will automatically be inserted into the gameplay that is being captured.
If you make a recording, that Live Commentary will permanently be in your gameplay, mixed in with the other audio.
If you are using Live Streaming, then your Live Commentary will be sent along with the rest of the video and audio, so anyone who visits your stream can hear you speak while you play.
If you make a recording, that Live Commentary will permanently be in your gameplay, mixed in with the other audio.
If you are using Live Streaming, then your Live Commentary will be sent along with the rest of the video and audio, so anyone who visits your stream can hear you speak while you play.
Twitch - Sign up and Login
Elgato Game Capture HD now has a Live Streaming section. When you first start the software, Live Streaming is not yet setup.
To use Live Streaming, you will first have to create a new Twitch account, or enter your existing Twitch account. To start that process, press the "+" button next to the Account option.
A window will appear, allowing you to Authorize Game Capture HD to use your account.
If you already have a Twitch account, then enter your Username and Password.
If you do not already have a Twitch account, then press the Sign up for an account link. You will then be able to select your Username and Password.
After signing up for a new Twitch account, you will be given a chance again to Authorize Game Capture HD to use your account. Press the purple Authorize button to continue.
Once you are logged in and authorized, your Twitch account will appear in the Live Streaming section of Elgato Game Capture HD.
Twitch - Server Selection
Once your Twitch account is entered into Elgato Game Capture HD, you will need to select a nearby server.
You should pick a server that has the lowest network latency possible. Usually, that's the server that is closest to you geographically, but not always.
In this example, San Francisco is the current location, but the Los Angeles servers had a lower latency (22 ms) than other options in the list. So, it's best to go with the option that has the lowest latency.
Twitch - Stream Bit Rate and Available Bandwidth
Before you start streaming, you can also adjust the bandwidth used to send data to Twitch.
The Live Streaming section has a Bit Rate slider.
Move the slider to the right to increase the Bit Rate, which will make the video appear sharper.
At the bottom of the Live Streaming section, there is a small icon with a pair of tools on it. Pressing that button calls up a special Settings window.
You have three choices for the Maximum Resolution:
360p
480p
720p
If you are using 720p video, and you lower the Bit Rate a lot, Elgato Game Capture HD will switch the stream over to 480p. This is to maintain the highest visual quality for the chosen Bit Rate - 720p with a very low Bit Rate won't look that good.
Please Note - you cannot use a Bit Rate that is higher than your available Upload bandwidth. Your Upload speed is determined by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You may have a fast Download bandwidth, like 10Mbps, but your Upload bandwidth is likely to be much lower, like 1Mbps.
To find out your available Upload and Download bandwidth, please use a service like http://www.speedtest.net
Twitch - Start Streaming
Once you have entered your Twitch account, and have selected a Server, then you can start Live Streaming.
Press the Live Streaming button to Start and Stop streaming.
When you start Live Streaming, the button will have a small green light on it.
A dialog will come to let you know that "During streaming, videos are captured at a lower quality. Reduce the quality and start streaming now?"
Press Start Streaming, and your Live Gameplay will immediately start at the Twitch website. The Live Streaming section will also have a red On Air icon.
To go to your Twitch stream, click on the Twitch logo in the Live Streaming section of Elgato Game Capture HD. Your custom Twitch page will open up in your default browser.
To go to your Twitch stream, click on the Twitch logo in the Live Streaming section of Elgato Game Capture HD. Your custom Twitch page will open up in your default browser.