2019-07-31 17:36:40

Hi all,

So I have multiple consoles, a PS4 and Xbox One.

I found a video on Youtube that suggested to use both an HDMI Splitter and Switcher if I want to switch between and stream multiple consoles. Not at the same time, mind you, but I want to have to avoid switching the cables out when I want to switch consoles.

So I've got the two consoles in the HDMI switcher and have the switcher hooked to the splitter which then goes to the Elgato.

The Elgato software with this setup captures video and audio, however as soon as I hit record, the audio seems to mute itself, goes to another device, not sure what's happening there. When I stop recording, it goes back to my main PC audio device.

Is there a better setup for this, or do I just have to switch a plug somewhere? OBS I can get video but no audio.

2019-07-31 17:39:49

I have an Elgato as well.

Sounds weird. Are you sure that it's picking up both video and audio before you press record? Have you tested this issue with both the PS4 and the Xbox?

2019-07-31 17:49:32

Does it happen with both consols or just one?

2019-07-31 18:03:09

I'm sure it's picking up video as if it didn't, I wouldn't be able to OCR the screen.

It happens with both Xbox One and PS4.

Does anybody have this multiple setup I have?

2019-08-01 17:35:43

Quick sidenote. I tried using OCR with my Xbox and the Elgato software, and it didn't work. Have you been able to read a game with it?

As for your issue. I suppose I would just ditch the splitter. I feel it a small inconvenience to have to switch HDMI's, instead of not having it work at all. The Elgato software is already a pain in the ass to use, so I really have no idea what could be wrong.

2019-08-01 17:45:48 (edited by Sightless Kombat 2019-08-01 17:46:59)

@1
With OBS, you won't get an audio output whilst you're recording, that's how the software works.  That's why you need a headset or additional speaker system hooked up to your console or TV.

Not sure how you've even got the Elgato software into a usable state just with OCR and other controls.  Out of curiosity, what can you access like this?

I'd say really for your needs though, just make sure you have a 3.5mm headset and that way, whatever console you're using you should be able to hear what you're working with games-wise.

If you'd want simultaneous PC and game input, I'd recommend the Logitech G935 - it's wireless and has a 3.5mm input as well.  So you can plug your controller into your headset and have it just work whilst your PC is still on outputting OCR theoretically based on what you've said here.

There are ways to get audio via OBS, but I've never used it myself so can't speak to how well it works/any issues that you might come across.

I have Xbox One and PS4 to be clear, and just switch the single cable given the two are right next to each other.  Ideal?  Not exactly.  Does it work though?  Yes.

Regards,
Sightless Kombat.
***If you wish to refer to me in @replies, use Sightless***

2019-08-02 17:46:20

@7

Quick question. Are you saying, that if I were streaming to Twitch from my Xbox, that I can have the 3.5 plugged into my controller, and have my twitch stream up on my computer and hear the chat through my headphones wirelessly with the Logitech G935? Hope that makes sense.

2019-08-03 02:05:05

Right guys,

Think I got everything working. Turns out that the Record clickable in Elgato Game Capture is mislabeled.

I set up hotkeys, but more importantly I got OBS to output the audio the card is getting so I can then hear the audio and project the captured video to OCR.

2019-08-05 14:48:50

@7
If by this you mean streaming from, say, a PS4 through Twitch (without the use of a setup like OBS or similar, then yes, I think so, I don't see why it shouldn't work.

If you were to use OBS or similar though I'd suggest investing in a second sound card (USB, such as the SoundBlasterX G6 which comes with a 3.5mm port and optical connectivity as well as virtual surround implementation).  Now as much as I normally dislike surround implementations like this, as I've never found them to work anywhere near as well as everyone says they do, this one at least allows me to discern, with some practice, in front/behind reasonably well.

The key reason you should invest in one of these though is so that the stream, without the need for a hardware mixer or any virtual audio cables as I know some streamers use, won't hear your screen reader or other unwanted sounds whilst you're reading the chat, for example.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Sightless Kombat.
***If you wish to refer to me in @replies, use Sightless***

2019-08-05 17:39:41

@9

I guess what I'm saying is. Sometimes I stream on PC, but sometimes I just like to chill and stream to Twitch directly from my xbox without using OBS. The problem is, when I stream directly to Twitch from Xbox, I can't read the chat like I can on PC. I'm wonder if I can use the g935s by plugging them into my controllerand then having them also be connected wirelessly to my PC so I can hear NVDA read the chat.

2019-08-05 17:45:46

What's the point of a capture card? if I can already stream the XBox to my computer and OCR.

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2019-08-05 21:28:49

flameAlchemist wrote:

What's the point of a capture card? if I can already stream the XBox to my computer and OCR.

Because streaming is prone to lag and latency issues, and combining that with OBS tanks your bandwidth for said streaming.

also, audio wise, you can mute desktop audio and your screen reader won't be heard. No VAC needed.

2019-08-05 23:14:56

should I get one for OCR? if I do what do you recommend? how do I use it? do I have to plug one end to the XBox and the other to my computer? my XBox and computer are kind of far away from each other.

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2019-08-06 01:03:04

flameAlchemist wrote:

should I get one for OCR? if I do what do you recommend? how do I use it? do I have to plug one end to the XBox and the other to my computer? my XBox and computer are kind of far away from each other.

In my experience, it can be easy to OCR. But, get it so that you don't have to depend on Remote Play /xbox to stream the game to your computer.


It's  a bit more complicated than simply plug and play, but you'll definitely have it easier using one console. Your console being far away from the computer may require an extra cable.

2019-08-06 02:37:00

how much better is OCR with the capture card versus with out one? how long of a cable would I need? what kind of cable is it? My computer is on my bed and the XBox is on my dresser next to the tv which is maybe 5 steps in front of me. then theirs also the computer chair.

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2019-08-06 11:30:44

@10
In your latter scenario it should definitely work like that, though to be honest, Twitch's accessibility has gone so far downhill recently that I can't even log in to watch channels, let alone use chat within them.

@14
Not sure how you've managed to get OCR to work in OBS or with anything other than Xbox streaming/PS4 remote play  or a native game to read it.  Any actual instructions or clarification would be greatly appreciated.

@15
When you say "computer" do you mean a desktop or laptop?  Depending on your response that changes what cards you can use.  As for cables, you shouldn't have a problem as the cable that goes between the Xbox and the card is an HDMI one.

Regards,
Sightless Kombat.
***If you wish to refer to me in @replies, use Sightless***

2019-08-06 16:01:27

Sightless Kombat wrote:

@10
In your latter scenario it should definitely work like that, though to be honest, Twitch's accessibility has gone so far downhill recently that I can't even log in to watch channels, let alone use chat within them.

@14
Not sure how you've managed to get OCR to work in OBS or with anything other than Xbox streaming/PS4 remote play  or a native game to read it.  Any actual instructions or clarification would be greatly appreciated.

@15
When you say "computer" do you mean a desktop or laptop?  Depending on your response that changes what cards you can use.  As for cables, you shouldn't have a problem as the cable that goes between the Xbox and the card is an HDMI one.

I have a windows laptop. I'm just not sure how long a cable I would need.

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2019-08-07 16:06:45

what does a capture card look like?

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2019-08-07 18:24:20

@Orin

How do you exactly OCR the game screen? I tried it a few weeks ago, but it didn't pick up anything. I attempted to OCR the Elgato screen, if that helps. Curious how you OCR your games.

2019-08-08 00:48:28

This all interests me, as I'm trying to figure out if I could OCR my Nintendo Switch screen using a capture card. Would it be possible, or would it not? Seems like it wouldn't, but I'm just curious.

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