I want to record Xbox360 gameplay in HD with laptop. Is the Hauppauge my only option?

[Rob]

Hi!

I've recorded gameplay before, but that was PS2 gameplay using composite analog video and simple stereo sound.

Lately, I've been looking into capturing my Xbox 360 gameplay. Of course I could use the PS2 setup to record, but why do that when I can it all in have high definition?

So I've been spending some time reading the forums here and learned quite a few things.

Anything with PCIe is out of the question as I'm unwilling to move my PC downstairs, so that's pretty simple.

I read about the Black Magic Intensity Shuttle which I would love to use because:
- it can record pretty much in any resolution using HDMI, so no need upscale or downscale anything, I only need to change the resolution on the console (if I'm right)
- seems to have pass through
- I don't need to switch cables from HDMI to composite just to record
However, I'm unsure if my laptop meets the very specific hardware requirements.
It's an HP Pavilion dv7-4050ed, for those interested and I don't believe that the Intel Mobile HM55 chipset will be compatible with the Black Magic Intensity Shuttle (but please correct me if I'm wrong!)

Because I want to have pass through, my choices seem to boil down to the Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR and the AverTV USB HD DVR, as posted in this thread. I don't care much about audio and I'll only record 360 gameplay, so SD capture is irrelevant as well.

Are these two devices my only options, or are there 1080p capable boxes I'm missing (in case the game supports 1080p output), preferably using HDMI? I suppose I could settle for 720p/1080i devices using component if there are no such devices.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

edit: Is there a noticeable difference (to a not trained eye) when viewing HD over component and HD over HDMI at the same resolution? Because if there isn't, then I might as well capture HD using component instead of HDMI.