Adaptec GameBridge 1400 Review -- Play Console Video Games on Your Laptop

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by A.W.

Gaming comes in two main flavors, console, such as the Playstation 3, X-Box 360, or Nintendo Wii and then computer gaming on PCs and Macs. The two are quite widely separated, consoles being played on a TV while the PC games of course on monitors. Console games generally use a game pad while PC games a mouse. They are two separate entities, but these days as we get TV tuners on PCs and XBox 360 players can go head to head online with PC gamers, the gap is closing.

With the Adaptec GameBridge 1400 and 1410 series devices that gap closes even more. People often ask whether it's possible to play video games on their PC monitor or watch TV on their PC, with the GameBridge both of these can be easy and inexpensive to do. The Adaptec 1400 Series contains the GameBridge with one main feature, the ability to play console games on a computer screen. The 1410 series includes this same ability but also adds a TV tuner and remote allowing you to watch and record TV on your PC. This review will cover the Adaptec GameBridge 1400 system after being used for 6 months, and still going strong.

The GameBridge (view large image)

Adaptec GameBridge 1400 Features:

• Connect video game consoles to your PC or notebook
• Play video game consoles on your computer in real time; maximize your gaming environment and save space
• Record game play and share your best moves and high scores with others
• Improve the graphics of your games up to 1024 x 768 resolution in 32-bit color
• Small lightweight device the size of a credit card
• Powered by USB 2.0 bus port
• Single solution for connecting video game consoles to a PC and converting home videos to VC

Contents of Box and the unit

Inside the plastic shell, the GameBridge includes the unit itself, a felt baggy, an AV cable, a USB cable and a CD with all the necessary drivers. The GameBridge is about the size of three AA batteries laid along side each other. The unit is constructed of plastic, making it lightweight and quite capable of traveling, the only downside for that is the tangle of the wires and cables you have to deal with. The supplied bag is useful for when you want to carry the GameBridge somewhere, but perhaps a Velcro band or two to organize the wiring would be helpful too.

The GameBridge device compared to an AA Battery (view large image)

The GameBridge's left side, the USB cable output (view large image)

The GameBridge's right side, the Composite/S-Video cable input (view large image)

The GameBridge

Notebook -&gt; USB cable -&gt; GameBridge -&gt; AV cable -&gt; S-Video -&gt; PS2 (view large image)

The unit does what it is supposed to do, and does it well. Using either an S-Video or Composite connection, the Gamebridge quickly transfers the signal from the console to the provided client, Intervideo Home Theatre, which doubles as the GameBridge signal client as well as a DVD/VCD and video player.

The Audio Video cables, with markings of which cable it is, which is a pleasant surprise and can be a big help to some (view large image)

The composite connection is a lower quality connection, the S-Video easily triumphs in terms of picture quality provided. I found both audio and video to be lagless and delay free when gaming. This pleasantly surprised me, as I would think a USB connection would result in a bandwidth limitations.

The input connections, Composite(Left Audio, Video, Right Audio) and S-Video (view large image)

Gaming using the Composite Cables

The quality is not that bad using the composite cables, but nothing of high quality. Here is a recorded video sample using composite cables.

<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=525671360&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://services.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>

 

Gaming using the S-Video Cables

The gaming quality using the S-Video cables is much better, it's not HD or anything, but good. Here is a recorded video sample using the S-Video cable:

<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=527390787&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://services.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>

The Software

The GameBridge light when it's on. It blinks when in actual gaming use. (view large image)

Included is the Intervideo Home Theatre client, a necessity to using the GameBridge. It is a fairly straight forward program, with basic and easy to understand controls. However, when I first tried using it, it made a mess with my registry due to the reason I was using Notebook Hardware Control (NHC). When using NHC with the Intervideo Home Theatre my laptop would freeze up. I uninstalled NHC and it was fine, but not wanting to sacrifice NHC,  I then updated to the newest version of the Intervideo software as well as the newest Windows patches. Ever since then it has run fine, and I have concluded that because the GameBridge requires the CPU to run at maximum, an undervolting program such as NHC or RMClock can create havoc when used with the GameBridge.

The GameBridge requires 100% CPU power to play, which is obviously bad news if you're on notebook battery power. It creates system lag if multitasking, so make sure to shut down as many background applications and processes as you can when using this. I have only tested the GameBridge on Windows XP SP2, I have not tried it with Vista.

InterVideo's Home Theatre Program's splash page. (view large image)

Back to the InterVideo program, watching videos through a DVD, VCD or the HD works just like any other video player, however, I'm accustomed to Media Player Classic, so I have not changed clients. The GameBridge client is the most useful one, the simplistic menu is a great asset.

InterVideo's Home Theatre's video playback/player client (view large image)

Under the GameBridge client main window (view large image)

Closed captioning is, well, what it obviously is, but I have yet to find a way to use it while gaming. Recorded content is the menu where all recorded videos using InterVideo Home Theatre can be found and played. Take Snapshot is simply taking a screenshot of the game.

Settings for the GameBridge(view large image)

Recorded material and its window (view large image)

Under settings, there are more options, but only a few of which can be modified. The Video Capture Device simply identifies the device, and the Audio defaults to the regular connection (being the composite red and white connections). The Input source can be changed, from S-Video to Composite, and S-Video is preferred unless there is no S-Video. Record quality changes the quality of recorded material, with &quot;Best&quot; taking the most storage space and &quot;Good&quot; taking the least. The bottom right bar is a simple action bar that is always present, with the buttons, from left to right being:

When recording, a listing will appear to constantly update the time recorded and time left. (view large image)

Conclusion

The GameBridge is a very inexpensive way to play console games on a computer or notebook, and for under $30 USD or the 1410 for under $40 USD retail price. The price fluctuates quite a bit, I got my 1400 for $20 Canadian, though I've seen it at $30 Canadian retail – just do some research and bargain hunting! It plays X-Box and GameCube games. I tried with my SNES, but unfortunately, it has an RCA connection and did not work. I can't comment on the PS3, Xbox 360 or the Wii as I do not own any of those.

For a no-frills, easy to use and inexpensive device, I'd truly recommend the GameBridge 1400 for anyone whom doesn't have a TV in their dorm, but still wants to play their console -- like me!

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Portable
• No lag

Cons:

• Requires 100% CPU power to use
• Not the best Quality

Video Samples

 

Disgaea 2 on the GameBridge

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Star Ocean 3 on the GameBridge

<object width='425' height='350'><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_zLi8sNafFI"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_zLi8sNafFI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='600' height='350'></embed></object>

Star Ocean 3 In-Game video

<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=525642811&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://services.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>

Disgaea 2 In-Game Footage

<embed src='http://admin.brightcove.com/destination/player/player.swf' bgcolor='#FFFFFF' flashVars='allowFullScreen=true&initVideoId=527478451&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://services.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&autoStart=false' base='http://admin.brightcove.com' name='bcPlayer' width='486' height='412' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' seamlesstabbing='false' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' swLiveConnect='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash'></embed>

 

Nice review Cori, but what are you doing playing games while in school, shouldn't you be studying

We do get this question a lot in the forums, though, "can I play my PS 3 on my laptop screen?". For $20 this seems like a good solution, especially with the recording ability built in.

Nice vids!

 

Nice review. One thing not mentioned is what type of laptop did you use. 100% CPU usage seems high, and knowing the CPU and video in the laptop will establish a baseline

Thanks

 

I have a GameBridge 1410 (GameBridgeTV) and funny enough, I was using it to play Star Ocean 3 as well I got mine for $25 off eBay.


I like the picture quality I got from the GameBridge, although my experience wasn't stellar. First, it does consume plenty of CPU power, but running a dual core processor helps aid that problem. Second, while there is no lag, it does drop frames; it threw my timing off a bit when playing games like Virtua Fighter or watching the scrolling text on ESPN/CNN/Weather Channel, etc.


I must warn others thinking about a cheap TV tuner solution that Adaptec considers the GameBridge AVC-1400/1410 as a discontinued product. I've heard of cases where the support line hasn't even heard of it. You should also backup your disc in the package as I haven't seen the drivers available for download.


But all things considered, I found this to be a better buy than the ~$50 I spent on my desktop's ATI TV Wonder Pro a year ago. The only thing I would change would be the Intervideo Software. Although it works great with the remote, I find it a bit bloated in comparison to DScaler, which I used with my ATI card. But for $25 or less, the GameBridge is a good buy (as long as you aren't obsessed with HDTV).

 

Too bad it doesn't have component... I was about to get excited about pushing 720p through my laptop screen from my Xbox360. I'll just have to wait for that I guess... or get an external monitor and go VGA.

 

Yea, but for an inexpensive solution, it's a good idea.

I didn't know it was discontinued, perhaps thats why its being sold for so cheaply a few months back.

 

Nice detailed review, Cori. It's good to know that there is a "tuner" without the tuner lag that many people talk about.

What about Linux compatibility? Have you read anything about that?

 

No idea about Linux - though I don't expect it to run on it though. There aren't many drivers itself as mentioned.

 

If you can give me a week or two, I can give you an answer to that Gautam. I plan on turning my desktop into a Linux machine again. Unfortunately I don't know of many TV tuning programs in Linux besides MythTV, but hopefully it'll recognize the GameBridge.

 

Wow suprised it's discontinued it seems like a great deal for $20-$25.

Is there any similar option on the market currently that will do the same but in HD?

 

Seems like a great deal, you are right.

If you really want HD, then you aren't going to get it on most notebooks. There are LCD monitors at the $300 price point that are true 1080p HD with HDMI and Component and DVI-D ins...so you can plug in anything you can throw at it. If you are interested, look into LCD displays by a company called Spectre.

Great. If your distro recognizes the hardware, then its just a matter of configuring MythTV to work.

 

Its $9 bucks at Amazon at the moment. I was like but now I understand why.

 

What kind of CPU do you need for decent gameplay? I only have a 1.13ghz P3M.

Is the game in a window or fullscreen? I'd much rather play it on my 19" widescreen monitor instead of the 14" LCD of my notebook. Would it still be a max of XGA resolution?

Thanks.

 

I have the GameBridge 1410 and the volume control on the remote doesn't actually work. Can you confirm that this is a problem with all GameBridges or is it just mine?

 

Bought mine from woot a while ago. Remote works, but it changes the volume of the entire system.

(edit) scratch that. the remote never worked at all. i suspect the battery is dead. changing the volume from the laptop changes the volume of the entire system.

 

I don't have the 1410(Which has the remote) so I can't comment.


The processor I'm using is a Pentium M 1.86, and it always runs at max when the GB is in use.

 

so does it use full cpu usage on a dual core? now i might have a reason to bring my 360 with me to college if this works.

also, could you run this on mediadirect if you have a dell? cause doesnt dell use intervideo for their mediadirect? that would be great if you didnt even have to boot up to play

 

I have no idea, using a Pentium M on an ASUS

 

I'll try to answer some of these questions to the best that I can.

First, the highest resolution the Gamebridge 1400/1410 have is 480i (S-Video). To my knowledge, it cannot output 480p (progressive scan). The resolution will remain low in comparison to larger screens; the large the screen you have, the more the small resolution has to be stretched.


I personally don't think you need an incredibly powerful CPU. I'm currently running on my Latitude D620 and Intervideo HomeTheater is using about 5-15% CPU power and about 60MB of RAM. However, I'm not sure if having an integrated card will change this; I'll found out soon enough when I try it on my X60s Thinkpad. However, I am running a clean install of Windows XP SP2, with as few resource heavy programs as possible. I believe that the GameBridge does no image filtering whatsoever, so the GameBridge will consume processing power and memory usage in order to create the clean image you see on the screen.


As mentioned earlier, it currently is not consuming one core of my processor, though I should mention that's while its on the TV tuner, not the S-video port, but I have doubts if that would change if I were playing a game right now. I would sometimes have Firefox opened (usually checking out a game's FAQ) while playing, while not showing any delay (dropped frames however, did occur).


I have no idea how mediadirect works (I assume its akin to HP's QuickPlay), but I'm not sure if they're compatible. I recently have found out that the version of Intervideo Home Theater that comes with the GameBridge is an older version. I've yet to find a great alternative to it; I've tried DScaler and while it will run I'm unable to change channels or switch to the composite/S-video connection without the video failing, resulting in me having to close and open Dscaler again.


The remote works perfectly with my GameBridge, although its a bit oversensitive sometimes when I'm changing channels. Trying to switch to "21" results in "211" - but at least it realizes there is no channel there and won't switch. The volume works fine but it does change the system's volume.

 

hmm, well if i do get it, ill def have to see if you could play without booting up

 

This might be a dumb question, but will this work on integrated graphics? I am guessing the CPU will not be a problem (I'm running the same PenM750 as cori), but the other system reqs worry me.

 

It's all CPU intensive, the GPU has no 'work' for it.

 

i have the 1410 (the one with tv-watching/recording capability) and i've been very happy with it considering that i got it for $25 on fry's/outpost when it was on sale a few months back.

the only complaint that i have is that there is sometimes a delay with the sound when i watch tv or play games, but a restart of the program usually fixes it.

the picture quality also isn't that great. its really noticeable when i play paper mario. there are threads out there about people using Dscaler instead of the default program to increase the image quality, but i never got mine to work. Dscaler kept giving me a error at startup about how my videocard doesn't support a certain feature when i have a 7900 GS (theres a huge thread on the cheapassgamers.com forum)

i also noticed that there is a very small delay (its not that noticeable but its there). normally i wouldn't notice it but i definitely notice it when i play a twitch intensive game like ikaruga on my GC.

at least for my laptop, the gamebridge does not support full screen. it basically all depends on your resolution. right now i have the e1705, a 17 inch laptop with a desktop resolution of 1920x1200 and it will not run full screen. however if i scale down the resolution down a notch it runs fine.

anyhow i'm just being way critical generally i've been very pleased with the gamebridge especially when you consider that i'm broke as heck in college and needed something cheap that would act as a TV for me in my room.

 

Anyone else have a problem with the volume control working on the 1410? It kinda sucks that i cant adjust it from afar.

 

Well...I think I found solution for my prob....
I am studying in college and its very hard for me to use a tv to play my xbox 360 which will be coming in a month....
i rather want to use my dell e1505 notebook as a monitor....
is this adaptec gamebridge works fine????(I hope it does)....I mean any video or audio lags....
or else is it better to buy an another tv tuner with HDMI port...(if it is will there be any lag)???
If among adaptec which one is better...1400 or 1410???
Do 1410 have any glitches compared with 1400.....
plz clarify me about this stuff....

 

does anyone else have any feedback on these? I am also considering purchasing it for by xbox 360.

 

I've been intrested aswell, there are still some GameBridges out there, but they are like 200$ in Amazon. o_o