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 Can I use a gaming headset with Elgato Game Capture HD?
Solution Modern game consoles, like the PlayStation 3 (PS3), or Xbox 360, can send and receive audio from a headset.

Most headsets come in the form of plush headphones that play game audio, combined with a microphone to pick up the speech of the gamer.

Just like other game recording hardware, Elgato Game Capture HD can work with various headsets, but there are some specific limitations.

In general, your headset instructions will mention connecting various cables to your headset and TV.  Instead, you will connect those same cables to your headset and Elgato Game Capture HD (which will pass on the signal to your TV via HDMI).


Game Chat, Headsets and Elgato Game Capture HD


Headsets usually have a microphone for live chat.

You can set up that microphone via the steps mentioned in the manual for your headset.

All gaming headsets we've encountered so far do not down-mix the live chat from the microphone to the audio output of the PS3 or Xbox 360. 

This means that Game Chat audio from the local gamer will not be recorded by Elgato Game Capture HD.

You will still hear audio from other players during gameplay, and in your recording.

You will still hear your voice during gameplay, but not in your recording.

This behavior is not a specific limitation of Elgato Game Capture HD - it will happen with other game recording hardware devices as well.

The new Live Commentary feature is one way you can record your voice into your Elgato Game Capture HD recordings.  See this article for more information:

How do I use Live Streaming and Live Commentary with Elgato Game Capture HD?


Live Commentary - Recording Your Own Voice


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.

To use Live Commentary, connect a separate microphone to your computer, and orient it so it can pick up your voice, while you are playing a game.  Then, your voice will be recorded along with other game sounds, including the voices of other players.


Elgato Game Capture HD and Component Input Cable


Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a Component Input Cable, that attaches to the A/V Input port.

You may need this cable to setup your headset with Elgato Game Capture HD, especially if you're using a PS3.






PlayStation 3 Equipment Needed to Use Headsets With Elgato Game Capture HD


To use a headset with the PS3 and Elgato Game Capture HD, you may need to purchase special Component output cables for your PS3.

Sony provides their version of such Component cables (PS3 Component AV Cable), as do many other vendors.






PlayStation 3 Headset Setup With Elgato Game Capture HD


We have tested some headsets with the PS3 and Elgato Game Capture HD.



Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset: 

This headset uses a special USB wireless adapter, that connects to the PS3.  Due to this fact, no audio can be received by Elgato Game Capture HD.   It will not work.



Tritton AX 180 stereo headset: 

This headset works with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

The headset shares the PS3 audio output, by piggybacking off the red and white RCA audio cables from the PS3 Component AV Cable. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.



Turtle Beach EarForceXP 500

This headset works with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

The headset uses the Digital Optical Out from the back of the PS3 - you will need a special digital audio cable to connect that port to the Turtle Beach wireless base station. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.

You should turn on Audio Multi Output, by visiting the PS3 Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Multi-Output.


Xbox 360 Equipment Needed to Use Headsets With Elgato Game Capture HD



To use a headset with the Xbox 360 and Elgato Game Capture HD, you may need to purchase special Component output cables for your Xbox 360.

Microsoft provides their version of such Component cables (Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable), as do many other vendors.



With some headsets, you may be about to use HDMI for video output, and a special adapter for audio output.

That adapter is known by names such as the Optical Audio Adapter for Xbox 360, or RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360.  There are many such inexpensive adapters; the official Microsoft adapter is no longer made.  For the sake of this article, it will be referred to as the Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360.





Xbox 360 Headset Setup With Elgato Game Capture HD


We have tested some headsets with the Xbox 360 and Elgato Game Capture HD.



Tritton AX 180 stereo headset: 

This headset works with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, via red and white RCA outputs, from the Xbox 360 to the headset. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.



Turtle Beach EarForceXP 500

This headset works with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, but you will need a special digital audio cable to connect that port to the Turtle Beach wireless base station. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.


Other Headsets With Elgato Game Capture HD


Many other headsets work fine with the PS3, Xbox 360 and Elgato Game Capture HD, by using a combination of adapters and methods as discussed above.

The following headsets have not officially been tested by Elgato, but they should be able to be used in the following ways.



Turtle Beach Ear Force PX21 Foxtrott COD Edition


PS3

This headset should work with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

The headset shares the PS3 audio output, by piggybacking off the red and white RCA audio cables from the PS3 Component AV Cable. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.


Xbox 360

This headset should work with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, via red and white RCA outputs, from the Xbox 360 to the headset. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.



Turtle Beach XLC 


PS3

This headset  should work with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

The headset shares the PS3 audio output, by piggybacking off the red and white RCA audio cables from the PS3 Component AV Cable. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.


Xbox 360

This headset  should work with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, via red and white RCA outputs, from the Xbox 360 to the headset. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.


                   
Turtle Beach X31


PS3

This headset should work with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

The headset shares the PS3 audio output, by piggybacking off the red and white RCA audio cables from the PS3 Component AV Cable. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.


Xbox 360

This headset  should work with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, via red and white RCA outputs, from the Xbox 360 to the headset. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.
                 


Turtle Beach X11


PS3

This headset should work with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

The headset shares the PS3 audio output, by piggybacking off the red and white RCA audio cables from the PS3 Component AV Cable. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.


Xbox 360

This headset  should work with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, via red and white RCA outputs, from the Xbox 360 to the headset. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.
                 


Astro Gaming Audio System A40

PS3

This headset should work with the PS3, but you will need the separate PS3 Component AV Cable.  

For Digital Audio: The headset uses the Digital Optical Out from the back of the PS3 - you will need a special digital audio cable to connect that port to the Mix Amp. 

For Analog Audio:  The headset shares the PS3 audio output, by piggybacking off the red and white RCA audio cables from the PS3 Component AV Cable. 

The Component video (red, greed and blue) connects to Elgato Game Capture HD, via the Component input cable that attaches to the A/V Input.  That Component input cable is included in the Elgato Game Capture HD package.


Xbox 360

This headset works with the Xbox 360, but you will need the separate Digital/RCA Audio Cable Adapter for Xbox 360. 

Audio will travel from this adapter, but you will need a special digital audio cable to connect that port to the Mix Amp wireless base station. 

HDMI video will go directly from the Xbox 360 to Elgato Game Capture HD.




Article Details
Article ID: 4539
Created On: 15 Jun 2012 05:01 PM

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