Box Pro 1080p 60fps Video Recorder DVR with HDMI Capture Playback on TV RCA YPbPr VGA to Digital

I initially purchased the HDML Cloner Box (non Pro) because of the good Amazon reviews. I was looking for an HD DVR device and the HDML Cloner Box reviews said that it would record virtually anything across an HDMI connection with excellent video quality. I ran into the common issue of the “blank screen” after hooking up the Cloner Box and went the manufacturer web site (Cloner-Alliance) for help and found the “Pro” model with Remote Control, Timer Recordings, and Instant Playback. The Pro being a new product had no reviews on Amazon so I didn’t see it on first pass. After testing the Cloner Box and seeing for myself that recorded everything I tried (CATV, Blue Ray, PC Stream) with Excellent Quality, I instantly purchased the Pro Model and arranged to return the Box version. The blank screen on the Box version was resolved by pressing the 1080/720 button for 5 seconds (you do the same with the Input button on the Pro). In addition to wanting an HD DVR, I also am in the process of moving my owned DVDs and Blue Rays to MP4 files for my Home Theater Server. I have another software solution for moving my Blue-Ray movies to MP4, but the Cloner Box can do that too. I have found using the Cloner Box for the “Extras” is nice because I have to view them to choose which one to copy and it is easier on the Cloner than the software solution. I LOVE the HDML Cloner Box Pro. Similar to the non-Pro Box, it records EVERYTHING coming across the HDMI port with EXCELLENT Video quality. The Remote functionality is fantastic. I have yet to test the Timer recording, but understand how it works. The Pro also allows you to Record on the PC through a 2nd Mini-USB port using their HDML-Cloner Pro Helper Application. The PC recording functions worked perfectly, giving you a mirror image of the HDMI stream on the PC (with a slight delay) and full recording control (with the addition of a Pause that you do not get on the USB Drive recordings). The recordings on the PC were as perfect as the ones on the USB flash drive. I can see one advantage of the PC recording is that you can record without having an HD monitor handy. I’m going to test recording from my DSLR Camera where that functionality will come in handy. The Cloner Box Pro Also has a Mic AND Headphone Jack (Mic Jack also on the Box), adding a headphone monitoring capability I currently do not have on the DSLR. The PRO also allows you to control the volume of the HDMI stream and Mic to get a perfect mix. One thing I noticed is my initial recordings had low volume (the Box recordings were slightly louder than the original program). I had to adjust the HDMI volume higher (controlled via remote) to get my recorded volumes back to “normal.” The file sizes on the recorded videos are very large. Cloner-Alliance obviously made a decision to provide the best possible MP4 video quality and did not try to over-compress the video. I’m seeing that the Pro files are about 2G per half hour of video. You can choose between 1080 or 720 recording quality, but the file size does not change a whole lot. The Pro also has a 2G file size limit so it creates a new file every 2G (or 30 minutes). Cloner-Alliance recently removed that restriction on the Box version and is promising new Pro firmware soon that removes that restriction. I had a problem trying to record baseball games where the recording stopped after 1 hour and it appeared the Pro had trouble creating that 3rd file after filling 2 2G files. Cloner-Alliance support was excellent and suggested a different USB flash drive. That appears to have been the problem. Since changing flash drives I have been able to record two 2 hour movies without issue. After the All-Star break I will try baseball again. Cloner-Alliance also provides another software application “MP4-Cloner” which allows you to “Trim” “Combine” “Convert” and “Burn” (to Disk). The Trim and Combine function do not re-compress the video so they work very fast, and do not diminish the quality. “Trim” allows you to remove extra things that are recorded at the beginning or end of the file (lead-in and recordings after the program had ended). Trim on a 30 min 2G file only took a few minutes. Combine allows you to combine the 2G MP4 files together into one file. The last 1.5 hour movie that I combined only took about 10 minutes to complete. “Convert” allows you to convert the native MP4 streams into other formats, although what I used it for was to reduce the 6G movie file down to 3G by decreasing the BPS setting. “Convert” does re-compress the video so it takes a bit longer. The video quality of the 3G file was still very good. The Pro also allows you to record from various other input types: VGA, RGB, and standard AV signals. This is accomplished by a provided cable with those various plugs that feed into a multi-purpose plug (reusing a 2nd HDMI-looking physical connector). Of course I purchased the Cloner-Box to get away from an older RGB recorder so I don’t see using anything other than HDMI. If you’re looking for a device that will record Full HD Video from your Game Console, Cable TV Box, PC Streams, or Blu-Ray Player, the Cloner Box and Cloner Box Pro is the device you have been looking for. Read more

2021 update ive bought another one. Yes another one. These little boxes accept line in inputs from everything. I uad to jave another one. This little box has processed 5000 recprdings so far. And is still humming along at warp speed. Really impressive. This is tue only model out of all tue game recorders out tuere to have multiple line hook ups. Of you have old dvds vhs vhs c laser discs ect. You can process them all. Worth your time. This little box is. Software can be wonky but effective. Use sandisk thumb drives 32gb to 116gb best response to recordings. Thos will record from all game systems as well. Though you may have to tweak your consoles settings depending on what you have. Customer service is in it for the long haul too. They actually have humans. Can take a day or 2 to respond but its a human.... 2019 review Okay I had to order a second box as the first one was somewhat defective.. The USB port was very loose. So Getting a replacement for it. Helpful Solution to this problem. Buy an added angled USB Extender And hook up your USB stick to that. USB sticks can be kind of heavy on the port It managed to record one tv Program and Game capture before it failed to do anything.. The picture Quality is nothing short of spectacular... Amazon has left and Right switchable angled Cables to aid in your quest for perfection.. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06W56VLLY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2IME0Z5O2LH6Y&psc=1 This device so far performs well But it does have Its Quirks.. First Recording in NTFS Mode can be problematic. Your likely better off In FAT32 mode. Cloner box provides software via download from its web portal.. This will allow you to assemble your recordings nearly issue free. and they also offer Burning software to burn to disc. My issue is no ability to title your projects unless you use a PC to do it. Its a thing they are most likely working on to add in the future. The remote that comes with the unit does not have batteries with it. those are AAA in size so be sure you have some on hand. as you will need the remote almost immediately upon first use. Be sure to format your thumb drive to NTFS or FAT 32 Fat 32 being your better option.. And make sure your USB stick or drive does not exceed 2 Terabytes But make sure the USB is larger than 32 Gigabytes As most recordings will be large. You are recording in HD format MP4 video. You can lower your bit rate to make files smaller. This device does require that you have a bit of Know how to set it up. But a little bit of internet reading allows you to easily understand Bit rates and Formats for video. Not that hard to do. Make sure you read up on those as the instructions could be a little bit more descriptive. that come with the product. Cloner box does have an online instruction manual and how to section that is very easy to understand. That will allow you to save the PDF to your PC for future review. Suggestion also For a very good picture use the component in of this box or HDMI port in. But you can not record HDCP protected content via HDMI. You can however do so Using a work around Or The component YPbPr Connection. You can also use the HDMI out on your preferred device into a converter which lowers it to YPbPr which is still 1080p resolution. You will need a converter for that but that method does not transport the HDCP signal to the Cloner box. or any recorder for that matter. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F6URXYY/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A3GE4HK1J73CN8&psc=1 Amazon has a huge array of converters so they are easy to find. You will find the picture quality is really good regardless.. until HDCP is eliminated this is the method you have to use to copy HDCP protect content.. Advisable if you are trying to copy Blue ray discs ect. Convert your signal down then back up to HDMI via a second converter. Though your image will be better via just the component Direct connection.. Now that we have this out of the way. The unit itself is very small and very light.. All connections except the USB port are on the back of the device. The USB port is on the right side of the unit. Though it looks well constructed That USB port is in a very bad spot and the heavier your USA stick is the more it will weigh down on that port. The suggestion above solves this issue easily With an angled connector. All other ports were solid. But your PC Connector cable is way too short. I recommend an upgrade to this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0143K4ZSK/ref=twister_B07CBVG4L8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 This will be a 10 FT cable. Reason being is the provided cable is really short. And really thin.. If your pc is far away from the cloner box and most peoples PCs are you will need the length to use the record to PC feature.. Its basically a long phone charger cable. Make sure its USB data capable. The MIC recording feature also works really well to capture your own audio over gameplay for recordings. All in all this is a good purchase once you figure out how to get it to do what you want it to do. And Cloner alliance has very good customer support. They can help you solve a lot of problems. Note this will be some culture shock to those users used to DVD recorders. its a bit more complex but for the picture quality its worth the time. to upgrade to this format. Im sure future releases of boxes will have newer features and smoother operation. I myself will be keeping my eye open on Cloner Box They are the top of the line when it comes to capture boxes.. What I would like to see added to cloner boxes in the Future.. Longer cables for PC connections. An angled USB connector for the USB port.. Titling ability via the Remote.. But you can do this Via Your pc later its just an added annoyance The box itself could be about an inch or 2 larger to space out your connectors as they are really close on the back of the box. Also I would like to see smaller Formats added as most or large format recordings that are very high Gigabyte size More of a 300 to 700 Megabyte range. That would lower image quality But it would also allow Space saving for phones and Tablets.. Other than this the box is a great addition to a mediaphiles Equipment.. I hope this helps some of you to have a good experience with this device Read more