The actual unit itself is mostly unremarkable, but it's solidly constructed with decent-quality plastics, the two major case components meeting around an LED-illuminated centre strip. The HD PVR 2 records standard-definition material too, supporting both 480p and 480i. However, the fact that it is separate and distinct from the adaptor that plugs into the device itself means that you can connect up any component-capable console you have - Wii, PSP, or even an original Xbox if you're that way inclined. This latter accessory is essential owing to the fact that Sony digitally encrypts the HDMI output of its console in order to stop pirates making digitally precise copies of Blu-ray movies (pointless bearing in mind that pirate BDs are rips, not captures). So, on top of the power supply and USB cable, there are two HDMI leads, a bespoke cable for connecting component sources to the device - and most surprising of all - a meaty, high-quality component hook-up for the PlayStation 3. In an age where hardware manufacturers cut costs by removing essential accessories, this package contains everything you need to hook up the unit to your HD consoles. Unboxing the HD PVR 2 proves to be a pleasantly surprising experience. Three years on and, in the face of stiff competition, Hauppauge has released a successor. Hauppauge's 2009 vintage HD PVR had some serious image quality issues, but it was the first mainstream device to offer 720p and 480p capture functionality, and thanks to its onboard h.264 encoder, it could produce results with virtually any PC that had a USB2 port. Back at the dawn of the HD gaming era, options were limited when it came to recording high-definition video from your consoles: you'd need to spend hundreds - if not thousands - of pounds on high-end broadcast-quality equipment, followed by an equal level of investment in a PC powerful enough to run it.

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