[Summer vacation free research] Introduction of recommended equipment configuration based on actual experience of game distribution - Middle spec edition

Last time, I introduced a stingy equipment configuration that doesn't use a capture board and captures the game screen by connecting the game hardware and PC via a local network.

This time, I would like to introduce the capture board that I actually use on site and at home, as well as the equipment configuration here. It would be better if you could understand how to think about the equipment, so please read the previous column as well.

Previous column: Introduction of recommended equipment configuration based on actual experience - Ultra low budget edition

Low-budget course to try using a capture board

For those who want to capture game footage in a proper format instead of remote play footage, we recommend using a capture board. . A capture board is a machine that converts video signals from games and cameras into digital data and imports them into a PC. In general game play, it is used to capture game footage, but at sites such as distribution studios, it is used to capture the final video output from the video switcher, including camera footage.

There are two types of conversion: "software encoding", which is performed on the PC, and "hardware encoding", which is performed by the capture board itself. Ware-encoding puts less strain on the PC. Of course, the hardware encoding type is expensive, so it can only be recommended for people who can afford it.

Here, I would like you to be careful not to make purchases with spinal reflexes at online shops, etc., if you are planning to broadcast live. This is because some capture boards are limited to recording only, so be sure to check whether or not you can import to a PC.

Currently, the capture boards available in the market have a function called "pass-through". What this is about is that it can be displayed on the monitor with almost no delay in the video output from the machine's OUT. Using this eliminates the need to use an HDMI distributor, so it is very convenient, but I don't use it often from the viewpoint of "one equipment, one function" when working on site.

There are two other types of capture boards: internal and external. The built-in type is the one that disassembles the tower case of the desktop PC and puts it in the same way as the graphic board. The external type connects to a PC via USB. Which one is better depends on the person, but if you want to stream and record with a notebook PC, you have no choice but to buy the external type.

All this stuff might fill you up and blow your mind, but there's one more thing to watch out for. That's the signal the capture board recognizes. There are various types of capture boards, some that are strong against interlaced signals and others that are strong against progressive signals. Talking about the difference between interlaced and progressive will be a big derailment, so let's put it aside for now. However, the only thing I would like you to remember is to unify the "progressive signal" to send the video to each distribution site. This is because interlacing causes horizontal lines to appear in images with intense movement.

The corresponding fps value is also different. Currently, almost all signals and fps are supported, but if you buy the wrong capture board, you will have to use a converter in between, or you will have to buy a new one. I want you to In addition, when the game video is captured from the capture board, the sound of the game is also included in the capture board, so depending on the configuration, the volume may be adjusted on OBS.

Now, based on the story so far, I will introduce a recommended capture board. Please note that the prices of the products introduced below are those at the time of writing the article.

I-O DATA GV-USB3HD/E (external type) Price: 16,766 yen

Capture boards are inevitably expensive, so if you consider practicality and durability, you can start with this price. Above all, this can be evaluated as being excellent in cost performance and cospa. I've never felt any inconvenience when I actually use it at work, and the compatible signals are 1920 x 1080p (60&59.94 fps), 1920 x 1080i (60&59.94 field), 1280 x 720p (60& ; 59.94 fps), 720 x 480p (60 fps) and compatible with current major signals (by the way, PS4 and PS5 are 59.94 fps, Nintendo Switch is 60 fps).

One point of difficulty is that after installing the corresponding software, there is a trap that if you do not specify "capture audio" from the video capture device settings on OBS, it will not be reflected on OBS. I want you to put it on. Also, keep in mind that it's a software encoding, so it puts a bit of a load on your PC when you use it.

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Drecap DC-HC4FSPEC (built-in type) Price: 17,423 yen

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If you want to focus on the brand power of the built-in type, I would recommend AVerMedia, but if you want to do it cheaply, this product is enough. Above all, I'm impressed with the fact that it has two HDMI input terminals, which makes it very convenient to switch game consoles during streaming. For that reason, there is no pass-through function, so you will have to watch the game video on the PC and play it, but purchasing an HDMI distributor separately will solve the problem. Compatible signals are 1080p60/50/30/24, 1080i30, 720p60/50, 576p50, 480p60 and all HDMI devices released after PS3.

In addition, the following equipment is recommended for recording and live distribution of classic games such as AV Famicom and Super Famicom with red, white and yellow 3-color cables (called RCA cables).

I-O DATA GV-USB2 Price: 3288 yen

This equipment is an external type capture device that imports directly to a PC via USB, but it is extremely versatile and cost-effective. In the previous column, I introduced a method of importing into OBS via software called Amareco, but recently this equipment can be imported without problems with OBS's "video capture device", and although it requires a little more detailed work, it is stable. This method is recommended because it allows you to import images that have been recorded. However, since it is received as an interlaced signal by default, it is also necessary to deinterlace it. Audio also needs to be manipulated on OBS.

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Details are as follows. After creating the scene, select "Video capture device" from the source and select "GV-USB2~" (It is better to name it GV-USB2 for easy understanding).

Successful if the image is successfully captured after selection. After that, right-click on "Video Capture Device" on the source, select "Deinterlace", and select your preferred mode (depending on the method of deinterlacing, a delay may occur, so be sure to verify).

If there is one drawback of this equipment, there is a slight delay when deinterlacing, and since the capture destination is limited to the PC in the first place, you will inevitably have to look at the PC monitor. Therefore, it is better to prepare the following distribution cables for comfortable game play.

Fuji Parts distribution AV cable 3-pin to 6-pin 2m FVC-131 price: 1950 yen

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This is the recommended middle configuration for live game distribution

From here on out, let's introduce some equipment. As a delivery configuration, a selfie that shows the broadcaster's face large, a game commentary with a wipe, the broadcaster's voice is captured assuming that it is connected to a USB microphone or an existing microphone terminal, and the game video and audio are also captured via the capture board. Assuming that it is imported, it will be as follows. Start with the webcam.

Logitech C920n Price: 7000 yen

This webcam is 1080p and 720p at 30fps each. The device also has a built-in speaker and microphone, but they are rarely used. The built-in automatic light control function of the web camera is also good, so you can increase the gain even in a slightly dark room to create a beautiful image. To be honest, this is more than enough for now. If you want to stick to 60fps, the value is doubled, but the following equipment is good.

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Logitech C980GR Price: 18,293 yen

The end of the cable is USB-C, so depending on the PC you use, you may have to convert it to USB 3.0, but if you want to show yourself smooth, I recommend it.

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The above webcams have a universal mount hole, so you can attach a camera tripod or the like. If you have a favorite angle, use it positively. For tripods, there are Sanwa Supply CMS-STN1BK (1548 yen including tax).

Next is Mike. I will introduce things under 10,000 yen.

Sanwa Direct Pin Microphone 400-MC018 Price: 3480 yen

If you look at the price, it's almost the same as the Sony handheld mic I mentioned earlier, so you may wonder if it should be included in this category, but this is different from the USB-powered condenser mics I've introduced so far. Unlike, it is powered by LR44 button battery.

This is what I bought at Bakuchi as a trial for a certain job, but I was more than satisfied with the price. Wired pin microphones are sold at around 2,000 yen if they are cheap. However, most of them have microphones that do not have their own power supply. The great advantage of this is described below.

This microphone is not unidirectional, but omnidirectional, so although it has the drawback of picking up ambient noise, the sound quality is not particularly bad, and I'm ahead of the curve. I bought this after Sony's ECM-PCV80U introduced in , so I'm using a USB sound card. This makes the sound quality even better. One point of dissatisfaction is that the part where the battery is stored and the microphone part are made of metal, and when a person's skin touches it, a weak static electricity may cause noise. There is no problem if you do not touch it, so please be careful when using it. Also, when it comes to noise, if the battery runs out, the noise will be loud, so you should always have a stock of LR44 ready.

A pin mic doesn't take up much space, and you don't need to raise the sound with gain, so you don't have to worry about distorting the sound. I would also like to recommend

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Marantz Professional MPM-4000U black Price: 9566 yen

This is a USB-powered unidirectional condenser microphone. Similar shape mics are rumbling in the band below this price, but the reason why I can recommend this mic is that the mic body has volume and gain knobs. If you amplify low-pitched sounds from a microphone later, the sound will be destroyed, so the volume of the sound is decided at the beginning when the sound is sent, and the final adjustment is made when it is mixed with the video. It is desirable that Therefore, although the price is high, it produces a corresponding effect.

Next, I will introduce the currently recommended capture boards in the high price range, but there are some similarities to the external USB connection types other than the ones introduced earlier. Therefore, we will introduce a built-in type and a slightly different type. Of course it's practical.

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AVerMedia Live Gamer HD 2 C988 Price: 23,600 yen

Built-in capture board from AVerMedia, a major brand of video capture devices. It has 1080p/60fps input and pass-through, as well as stereo audio input and pass-through. For that reason, it's ideal for live play of games that don't allow delays in video and sound, such as rhythm games. Love Live! School Idol Festival", I was able to broadcast live from PS4, but the broadcast slot was crushed.

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On the other hand, the next one does not have stereo input and output, but the following is recommended for 4K distribution and recording.

AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K GC573 Price: 34,900 yen

Although the price is high, this capture machine can output 4K 60fps and can input up to 240fps at 1080p, so the specs are suitable for the price. All of these are software-encoded capture machines, so you'll need to prepare a PC with a certain spec, but the advantage of the built-in type is that it doesn't get in the way of the room, so if you have the budget, go for the built-in type. Recommended.

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Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro 4K Price: 24,980 yen

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Another recommendation is a built-in capture card from Blackmagic Design, a major professional video equipment manufacturer. 4K input is also possible, but compared to the previous one, it is input only at 30fps. This is by far the recommended built-in capture card. This is because the Blackmagic Design devices introduced in the previous two are designed to work on PCs with low specs, so they do not interfere with work on the PC. As a result, it won't crash even if you're doing heavy encoding work. I also use the previous generation machine "Intensity Pro" and the external machine "Intensity Shuttle" from a long time ago for both personal distribution and work.

The Intensity Pro is currently sold secondhand for about 7,000 yen, so if you buy it with a warranty, this is enough. However, if you limit the progressive signals that can be output by game consoles, they can only support 720p/60fps or 720p/59.94fps, so it is better to give up on 1080p distribution (accurately, 1080p can also be input, but only up to 30fps is supported) No, 1080i supports up to 60fps). In the current situation, I think this Intensity Pro or Intensity Shuttle is enough. (Honestly, I want to update to the higher-end Pro 4K soon...)

However, these Blackmagic Design capture boards are a little weak in the pass-through function, and there is a slight lag. For that reason, it is necessary to insert an HDMI distributor between them, and in rare cases, when an HDMI distributor is inserted, video and sound reception may not go well. In order to distinguish between failures, this requires a little expertise, or rather the ability to find solutions when problems occur.

Both the Intensity Pro and Intensity Pro 4K come with a breakout cable that assists the input of RCA and S terminals, allowing you to capture video from classic game consoles such as the Famicom.

I-O DATA GV-HUVC/4K Price: 19,500 yen

No passthrough required. Anyway, as long as you can capture game footage, that's fine! A simple video capture machine like a man among men. 1080p and 720p can be input at a maximum of 60fps, and 30fps can be input up to 4K. When I saw it, I was deeply impressed that a video capture device could be so simple.

However, after all, if 4K is 30 fps, it cannot be input to a game machine, so even if it is suitable for the price, it cannot be denied that it will be overspec from the viewpoint of game distribution. Also, because of the software encoding, you have to prepare a PC that is slightly lower than the current middle spec to run. I think that it is a level that can be used enough for distribution to the general public.

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If you use an HDMI splitter, we recommend the following.

Green House GH-HSPE2-BK Price: 1582 yen

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From my experience, I can recommend Greenhouse because it is stable, but recently I am a little dissatisfied with the power supply method from USB. If you feel uneasy, it will cost you twice as much, but it is better to consider a product made by another company. Ratock System RS-HDSP2P-4KA (4770 yen including tax) is one example.

Hatafuminobu (@hata_fuminobu) is a freelance writer and web live broadcast director. He is a fairly famous broadcaster, and I was convinced by the words, "The number of followers, the number of subscribers, and the number of active people are more important than the number of listeners who are coming now." I am also delivering while thinking that it is certainly so. who? If you give out the name, it will suddenly lose its persuasive power, so around here.