It’s Hotel Hell, minus Gordon Ramsay! What was supposed to be a wonderful vacation for Luigi and company turns into a nightmare when the staff reveals their true colours. Join Luigi and I as we save Professor E. Gadd and unlock Luigi’s sticky sidekick!
I take a break from my Pokemon Sword and Shield binge to play more Tetris 99! While I stack blocks at a furious rate, I share my early impressions of the new Pokemon game, indulge in a chat about streaming equipment, and discuss times when our personal opinions about games differ from the popular opinion!
View the full post to see highlights and shoutouts!
I love my Logitech C920. Considered by many to be the go-to webcam for entry-level streamers, it delivers a lot of bang for your buck. However, its limitations became more obvious with time and knowledge. The camera needs a lot of light in order to squeeze out the most optimal image. Even with my studio lights, the picture still comes out a bit grainy when using my full-screen intermission scene on stream. The camera caps out at 1080p 30fps, which may be a hinderance for streamers or video creators in need of more visual fidelity. Also, when compared to higher-end DSLR cameras, the difference in quality is undeniable.
As much as I would love to upgrade to a DSLR setup, it’s quite the expensive path almost any way you slice it. Between the DSLR camera itself, an Elgato Cam Link or an equivalent signal adapter, a wall adapter for the camera, and a tripod or other mounting solution, the cost is orders of magnitude above any webcam. Add in additional lenses, and the sticker shock stings even more. Despite my desire to improve my image quality, I can’t justify spending upwards of $1,000 on a complete DSLR rig at this point in my streaming career.
By happenstance, I got the opportunity to test out the Logitech BRIO 4K Webcam. It became immediately apparent that this is the middle step I’ve been looking for.
The BRIO is Logitech’s most premium webcam to-date. At its ceiling, it can capture footage at a 4K resolution and at 30 frames per second. It can also do 1080p at 60 fps; something that the C920 is incapable of doing. Housed in a casing that’s a bit larger than a C920, it can still clip comfortably on most monitors. This one also features a detachable USB 3.0 cable, making it a bit easier to move or stow away.
At more than double the price, it’s almost a given that the BRIO would be better than a C920. But how much better? I put the two cameras to the test.
The first test I did was a direct side-by-side comparison. Both cameras are in 1080p, using default settings, and with the same lighting. Immediately, the difference is staggering. My C920 looks washed out, while the BRIO provides colour that is more vibrant and accurate.
After that, I did a test of the two cameras at full-width, flipping between the two. Again, the C920 looks incredibly washed out compared to the BRIO. Also, you can see more of the details in view, such as the details in my face and how I’m using black duct tape to hold my busted headset together. In retrospect, you could always see the tape, but it’s even more apparent with the BRIO. Note to self: get new headphones.
One more test between the two cameras. This time, it’s in my 720p streaming layout with all of the same colour correction settings. There were no noticeable differences in CPU performance, and the BRIO is still a cut above. However, the colour correction settings I use for the C920 make the BRIO look a bit more yellow than I would like. Nothing that I couldn’t adjust for next time.
The Logitech BRIO is a cut above the C920 and could very well could be the best webcam on the market. I love the way it outputs video while also supporting 1080p 60 fps. It’s going to look great on my stream and even better if/when I finally get around to creating original content for YouTube. Right after the testing was over, I purchased one for myself.
Even though I jumped at the first opportunity to grab this camera, the BRIO won’t be for everyone. For those just starting out, the Logitech C920 is still the best place to start. The image quality is good enough with some colour correction and it won’t hurt your bank account too much if fall out of streaming. If you’ve got the funds and the reasoning to justify a full DSLR rig, the BRIO can’t match that in terms of image quality or flexibility. But if you need a middle step with improved image quality without the hefty expenses of a high-end camera rig, the BRIO is a great option.
Crikey! In Pokemon Sword and Shield, is Milo – the leader of the Grass gym – an Australian? Whether he is or isn’t, I gave him my best Aussie accent, which is horrible. My apologies. Afterwards, I struggle through the Wild Area, fail to figure out how to raid with friends, and stop Team Yell from executing their really stupid plan!
Confession: I’m not very far in Luigi’s Mansion 3. Was hoping to be done before the launch, but life has a funny way of stifling one’s gaming time. For now, it takes a seat at the top of my backlog as Pokemon Sword and Shield take precedence. From the bit I’ve played, I can definitively tell you this one thing: its opening sequence is really special.
Pokemon Sword and Shield is Nintendo’s flagship release for 2019. A ton of hype followed this title up to its release, but also a lot of controversy due to the ways in which this game veers from precedents set by past games. We’ll get to that later in this post.
As of writing, my character “Jettt” is standing on the steps of the first gym. With a full review not coming anytime soon, I thought I’d share a few early notes about my experiences thus far.
In anticipation of Pokemon Sword and Shield, Ian from Adventure Rules drops by the channel to battle me in Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee! As we attempt to prove that we’re the best (like no one ever was), we discuss the controversy surrounding the upcoming game, ways of reforming the school system to better prepare students for the real world, and the dynamics of who sleeps closest to the door!
With Pokemon Sword and Shield on the horizon, it’s time to unlock the Pokemon theme in Tetris 99 as part of the Maximus Cup! While we play to be the very best (like no one ever was), I share some Tetris tips, the recent story of how I got to see the NBA championship trophy in real life, and the importance of using gaming as a platform for making a positive change on the world!
View the full post to see highlights and shoutouts!
Home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and the place where I proposed to my now-wife, there’s a lot to like in Florida. But when the zombie apocalypse hits and salvation is north of the border, it doesn’t get much worse. If you want to keep your brains intact, you have no choice but to make the trek by any means. Death Road to Canada follows your arduous journey to safety. Will you make it out of America alive?
In the wake of NBA Jam, developers attempted to translate the arcade magic to other sports. Some games took off in their own right, such as NFL Blitz. Many others fell off the face of the Earth. Not actually sure where Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey stands in the pantheon of arcade sports games, but it’s one that I remember fondly. Continue reading →