Plus, with capture cards for both PC and console, no matter if you’re playing solo or sitting down on the couch with friends, you can still capture those memorable moments.
Here are the best video capture cards available today.
Q: Are Capture Cards Worth It?
Video capture cards take the load off your game console or computer, offering a lag-free experience. You can stream content directly from your device, allowing others on social media, Twitch, YouTube, and more, to enjoy it.
Furthermore, if you own game consoles like Xbox, Switch, or PlayStation, this capture card will support those devices. This capture card can deliver a lag-free video stream of 4K resolution at 30fps. Then again, if you want to stun your audience with a higher frame rate of 60fps, you can reduce the video resolution to 2K. You can also stream crisp visuals of 1080p at a whopping 120fps video configuration if you are on a bandwidth budget.
The 3.5mm audio jack lets you deliver live commentary with your squad or solo. The ASUS TUF CU4K30 also comes with OBS Studio certification for multi-platform streaming. Finally, the front-facing RGB lighting strip gives you another solid reason to buy this capture card.
The lag-free response is ideal for capturing game footage. However, the bundled software can be touch and go; instead, you can use OBS studio as the Elgato HD60 X is compatible with it.
Although there is a decision to be made between smooth capture or the finer details, the Elgato HD60 X definitely delivers what it says it’s going to.
Thanks to its plug-and-play nature, the AVerMedia Live Gamer GC311 means the setup process is non-existent since you can just plug it in and use it straight away. This makes it a breeze to get going, and less daunting for beginners.
While there isn’t anything more than HD streaming here, the AVerMedia Live Gamer GC311 is budget-friendly. You can also use the RECentral streaming software along with the capture card to unlock other interactive features like rich overlays, multi-stream, and more.
Video processing is done onboard, so you don’t need to manually intervene. And, with two HDMI inputs, you can stream content from your console, PC, or even your camera. It’s very simple and efficient at what it does.
However, there are other more powerful capture cards available that can record and stream in higher resolutions, at a more affordable cost. The trade-off here is that it’s pretty much plug-and-play, and you don’t need to fiddle with it afterward.
Its HDMI video input system is compatible with video resolutions up to 4K at 30Hz for video input and passthrough. You can use the HDMI ports to connect to all other devices, apart from PCs which use USB 3.0 to enable it to connect with laptops and desktops.
And, if there was any doubt about its functionality, the Mirabox HSV 320 is compatible with OBS Studio, making it a great entry-level video capture card for new streamers or YouTubers.
The bundled software is easy to use, though it’s not as effective as the likes of OBS Studio (which it is compatible with). Stream almost any device with an HDMI output directly to your computer, and enjoy flawless graphics thanks to its built-in hardware encoder.
Furthermore, the Elgato HD60 S is capable of offering unlimited video recording of your gameplay using advanced GPU acceleration. Therefore, you can upload pre-recorded gameplay as well as stream your in-game content live as it happens.
At an affordable cost, the Elgato HD60 S is a great tool for gamers and streamers. The bundled software also allows you to easily add overlays, alerts, and more to make an impact and show off your style.
Thanks to HDMI passthrough, you can play at a higher resolution than the NZXT Signal 4K30 can record. For example, you can play in 4K but stream in 1080p which is handy in some cases.
Once you’re done with it, the NZXT Signal 4K30 is easy to store thanks to its compact size. In fact, if you want to take it with you when traveling or are going to a friend’s house, it’s the perfect video capture card to fit in your pocket.
Q: Does a Capture Card Improve Stream Quality?
Capture cards deliver better video quality during streaming or recording than free screen recording software. Capture cards can also offer lag-free streaming, making them a better option for content creators.
