AVerMedia EZRecorder 130?

I very much doubt that you would find the files recorded by this device suitable for editing, if that's your final intent. I don't see specs anywhere on file format, compression etc. but I'll bet that it's highly compressed, low data rate long GOP that will quickly go to hell in a timeline like Premiere or FCX. If quality is not an issue for your use, and you are trying to save money, there's plenty of $60 HDMI capture sticks that will give you terrible quality video.
 
ric8138 said:
I very much doubt that you would find the files recorded by this device suitable for editing, if that's your final intent. I don't see specs anywhere on file format, compression etc. but I'll bet that it's highly compressed, low data rate long GOP that will quickly go to hell in a timeline like Premiere or FCX. If quality is not an issue for your use, and you are trying to save money, there's plenty of $60 HDMI capture sticks that will give you terrible quality video.
Click to expand...

You may be right, but at least it would give me an "if all else fails" backup of the footage.

Here's what MediaInfo says about a file recorded from TV:

General
Complete name : G:\160916-0150.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size : 761 MiB
Duration : 10 min 29 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 10.1 Mb/s
Description : AverMedia_er130_001.001.004
Encoded date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Writing application : Lavf53.3.0
Comment : Quality_GOOD

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 10 min 29 s
Source duration : 10 min 29 s
Bit rate : 9 995 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 59.940 (59940/1000) FPS
Minimum frame rate : 59.941 FPS
Maximum frame rate : 60.001 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan type, store method : Separated fields
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.080
Stream size : 750 MiB (99%)
Source stream size : 750 MiB (99%)
Encoded date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 10 min 29 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 128 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 spf)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 9.61 MiB (1%)
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1
Encoded date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date : UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00
 
Doesn't seem like that is the use the device was designed for and it's a super low budget device. Generally, in our business, you get what you paid for and you are paying close to nothing.
 
puredrifting said:
Doesn't seem like that is the use the device was designed for and it's a super low budget device. Generally, in our business, you get what you paid for and you are paying close to nothing.
Click to expand...

True enough. But I'm not just going to assume it won't be suitable just because it's not expensive. As for what it's designed for -- it's designed to record a digital signal from an HDMI input to a USB hard drive or flash drive. The first line of the description reads "Record anything, anytime, from any HDMI-connected device..." So I would think an HD camcorder or DSLR with an HDMI output would qualify.

One of the questions asked on Amazon is "can this device record straight from my hd camera?" One of the answers is "it Should If, Your camera has a Cable Out to fit the HDMI Connector AND the Signal Does NOT Have the HDCP Encoding, (High Definition CopyRight Protection) Signal Embedded in it".

When I get the Mini HDMI-to-HDMI cable I ordered, then I'll try it out and see. It may very well not be good for that purpose, but it's certainly worth a try.

I should point out that I already own the AVerMedia EZRecorder 130, so I'm not having to buy one to find out if it will work. I just wondered if anyone here had already tried it.
 
I use their "Gamer" model. One step up. About $160. The red one.
I use it for getting things off of DVR's. Specifically client's television appearances that they want to be able to edit into their audition reels. (They are allowed to use it for this purpose). You can buy a video file of your TV appearances (or anything else) from those big services that will get you a copy of ANYTHING, but those files are total crap quality.

At it's high bit-rate in 1080p the AverMedia recorder is certainly acceptable for professional purposes IF you are feeding it a good quality HDMI source to start with.
NO, it's not as good as a Ninja, but it's nowhere near the price either.
 
Okay, I got the cable today and did some preliminary testing.

I connected the AVerMedia EZRecorder 130 to my Canon T3i via the MiniHDMI-to-HDMI cable, with the EZRecorder then connected to my TV. I got a signal and picture on the TV with the T3i in 'movie' mode.

However, it appears I can record on the EZRecorder or on the T3i's internal card, but not on both simultaneously, as I'd hoped. It seems when I hit the record button on the camera, the EZRecorder pauses its recording. I will have to see if there's some setting on either device that will prevent this.

I also noticed the EZRecorder records all of the camera's display data as well. There is a smaller window in the middle with the video, then the camera display data is arranged outside of that window. When I turn off the settings display on the camera, it's no longer seen on the recorder -- but the video is still in that smaller window. So I'll have to see if that can be remedied as well.

It may just not work. But I'll tinker with it a bit longer. Any suggestions appreciated!
 
Yeah - these types of devices are WYSIWYG recorders. Anything that comes down the pipe over that HDMI cable gets recorded. But even the much more expensive ones work this way too. You can't expect them to know what parts of the image you want recorded and what you don't.
Canon DSLR's are notorious for sending a compromised picture out over the HDMI output. Nothing you can do about that except upgrade your camera.

Can you just set the camera into recording and THEN hit record on the EZRecorder? Or will it still shut you down?
If this is for safety backup then just velcro it onto your rig somewhere close by so it's easy to hit one record button and then the other.
 
DPStewart said:
Can you just set the camera into recording and THEN hit record on the EZRecorder? Or will it still shut you down?
Click to expand...

That is an excellent question! I'll do some experimenting on that and let you know. It may have to wait a few days. We're just 3 days away from commencement of principal photography on a Christmas film called "Losing Christmas", so I'm making sure all my gear is in order, making lists, checking with my props people, getting my set dressers prepped, and all that jazz. I ordered a new external field monitor which should arrive today, so I've got to get that setup and tested. Just a lot going on.

I'll let you know when I've made some progress. :-)
 
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