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Hauppauge USB-Live2 vs Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber: Comparison
Hauppauge USB-Live2 vs Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber connection type compared
Connection type is the dividing line, Hauppauge USB-Live2 USB 2.0 against Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber USB 3.0. They differ on max recording resolution too, 480i / 576i on the Hauppauge USB-Live2 versus 1080p60 on the Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber. Passthrough resolution is not the same on both, None on the Hauppauge USB-Live2 versus 4K60 on the Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber.
Which should you buy, Hauppauge USB-Live2 or Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber?
The Hauppauge USB-Live2 is the one to take for digitizing VHS tapes, camcorder footage, or other composite/S-Video sources and preserving retro console footage from systems with no HDMI output, though it is not built for streaming or live passthrough monitoring and anyone needing HD or 4K resolution capture. It is the wrong buy for any HDMI source, since it has no HDMI input at all. Buy the Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber for casual camera or console capture where HDCP-protected sources aren't involved, though it is the wrong buy for true 4K recording, since actual capture is limited to 1080p60. It also earns its place with budget streamers who want a 4K monitor loop-out with basic 1080p60 recording. It is not the one for any HDCP-protected source, such as most streaming boxes or Blu-ray players. Our rating of the Hauppauge USB-Live2 (6/10): A dedicated, no-frills analog video digitizer. Good at exactly one job, do not buy it expecting HDMI game capture. Our rating of the Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber (5/10): one of the better budget HDMI dongles, but still a 1080p60 recorder wearing a 4K label. Fine for casual use, not a Cam Link 4K substitute.
What Hauppauge USB-Live2 and Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber have in common
Everything else lines up. Form factor and hdr support read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- Camera Dongle
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- Camera Dongle
Brand
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- Hauppauge
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- Pengo Technology
Model Number
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- USB-Live2 (610)
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 4K HDMI Grabber
Connection Type
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- USB 2.0
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- USB 3.0
Max Recording Resolution
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- 480i / 576i (SD)
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 1080p60
Passthrough Resolution
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- None
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 4K60 (HDMI loop-out)
HDR Support
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- No
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- No
Which one should you pick?
Choose Hauppauge USB-Live2 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Hauppauge USB-Live2
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A dedicated, no-frills analog video digitizer.
Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
5 / 10 Expert Rating
One of the better budget HDMI dongles, but still a 1080p60 recorder wearing a 4K label.