Stream Like a Pro: Select Capture Cards with a Detailed Purchasing Guide

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If you’re a filmmaker, video podcaster, or vlogger, Twitch streaming is the modern way of broadcasting yourself.

It’s a great way of bringing your live message to an audience worldwide and making extra income.

Regardless of your reasons for getting into streaming, you will need a high-quality capture card. This buyer’s guide is here to help.

1. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S

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Elgato is one of the top brands in the game for capture cards, and even their older models, such as the Game Capture HD60 S, are excellent.

Pros: Elgato offers excellent visual specs with 1080p resolution and 60 fps. Although it doesn’t have advanced HD capabilities, it still produces sharp images and high-quality video.

As a bonus feature, this model has a “Flashback Record” option, which lets you go back into your stream and record any moments that you may have missed—perfect if you forgot to hit record just before a significant development.

Another benefit of the Game Capture HD60 S is how simple it is to use. The package usually includes cables, PS4, PS5, HDMI, USB, and a component adapter.

Its interface is USB 3.0, making it compatible with various devices, and it even comes with built-in software.

Finally, this option is one of the most affordable on the market without compromising quality.

Cons: This is a bare-bones capture card without additional features that pro streamers may require, such as HD recording, an advanced editing suite, and more.

Users have also reported issues with the image stuttering after using “Flashback Record” and the audio desynchronization during a stream.

This might be a situation where the adage “you get what you pay for” applies—for something that’s less than half the price of more advanced capture cards on the market, these are minor bugs to deal with.

Who It’s For: The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S (link to Amazon) is one of the best options for a streaming newcomer.

It has a simple setup and low price point without compromising quality, a bonus for people still exploring if streaming is right.

2. Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro

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Another capture card from industry mainstay Elgato, except on the other end of the spectrum. The high-powered Game Capture 4K60 Pro is among the highest-quality capture cards on the market.

Pros: The Game Capture 4K60 Pro is unrivaled in its image quality. It can capture video in 4K at 60 fps, making this perfect for games dependent on the quality of their graphics. Your video quality will be crystal clear.

Its passthrough signal is as strong as 240hz for 1080p images, making this an excellent choice for a dual-PC setup.

Most high-end capture cards require massive amounts of storage, but the Game Capture 4K60 Pro tries to help alleviate that with a built-in video encoder that helps compress file size.

Other features include recording video in multiple apps, in-card editing software for video and commentary, and Flashback Recording.

Cons: An ultra-luxe capture card such as this one will only function if the rest of your setup is of the same or similar quality.

If you’re operating with an old machine that cannot process such high-quality images or has a slow working rate, the capture card may not work.

The Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro is a high-quality product, but users pay for every sparkling graphic dearly.

Who It’s For: Professional gamers and streamers who already have an immaculate setup with dual PCs, high-powered computer processing speeds, and extensive external storage will benefit from this card.

3. AVerMedia Live Gamer HD 2 – PCIe, USB 3.1 And Thunderbolt

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AVerMedia is another top brand in the capture card space, which is suitable for serious streamers.

Pros: AverMedia’s Live Gamer capture cards are devastatingly simple to use. You don’t need a driver to install it; it is compatible with most popular streaming software such as XSplit and OBS. To start recording, tap and go.

The card has three interfaces: PCIe, USB 3.1., and Thunderbolt – so make sure to pick the right one. This makes it a versatile card compatible with Macs and PCs, and it can also record from various consoles, including PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and more.

This capture card records crisp, high-quality HD 1080p images and 4K at 60 fps, HDR video, and offers multiple options for audio recordings.

Finally, while most capture cards slow down the work of your computer, AVerMedia Live Gamer utilizes a minimum amount of CPU and offers ultra-low latency.

Cons: It’s one of the more expensive items on the market, and if you plan to use the card to its full potential at 4k60 and HDR, you’ll need a lot of bandwidth.

Who it’s for: The AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 4Kp60 HDR Capture Card is for the serious or professional streamer.


What Is a Capture Card for Streaming?

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Streaming aims to show your audience what you see on your screen. To do that, you need something that will record your screen.

A capture card acts as a data converter. It’s a palm-sized, boxy device that records data from a video podcast interview, a video game, and your screen in general and translates it into video content.

Capture cards can stream directly on a platform like Twitch or record gameplay to upload later on YouTube.

Most capture cards connect to your gaming device and PC using an HDMI cable. Some come with additional connection points, such as USB and Thunderbolt 3, to facilitate connection to different devices, from PCs to video game consoles.

Do I Need a Capture Card for Streaming?

The short answer is no, but you may still want to get one. You can stream without a capture card; many streamers make it work without one.

Some PCs and game consoles, such as Xbox One, can stream from the same device you are playing on. Other streamers download software such as XSplit that allows them to record gameplay.

Check out my comprehensive guide on how to use a DSLR as a webcam for streaming.

However, suppose you plan on streaming regularly, particularly if you are trying to turn it into an income stream. In that case, you will need a capture card for reliability and quality.

The best capture cards transmit high-quality streams with less lag than built-in streaming devices.

You will need a capture card if you are serious about your streaming.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Capture Card

There are a few important specs that you should look for when shopping for a capture card.

They include image quality, frame rate, bandwidth, and storage space. You also want to pick a capture card with an easy-to-use interface and input capabilities compatible with your gaming device.

Learn more about the specs you should look for in the buying guide below, which will help you figure out the best capture card for streaming.

A Buyer’s Guide to Capture Cards

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If you are shopping for capture cards, here is a guide to help you figure out what you are looking for.

Interface

A capture card’s interface describes how it connects to other devices. You want to get a capture card compatible with your gaming device, whether you are using a PC, Xbox, or another console and with the computer you are using for streaming.

Three of the most common interfaces are USB, PCI-e, and Thunderbolt 3. The best one for you will depend on the device you plan to use for streaming and other specifications.

USB Interface: A capture card with a USB interface is one of the most versatile options because it can connect to multiple devices. USB interface capture cards are compatible with laptops, PCs, and gaming consoles. It’s also portable, so you can stream while traveling or on vacation. However, they tend to have less bandwidth than PCI-e interfaces, so your stream will be slower or lag.

PCI-e Interface: This is the other most common form of interface for capture cards. PCI-e interfaces are pretty self-explanatory—they’re primarily compatible with PCs. This gives you less flexibility than a USB interface capture card. However, if you are only planning to stream PC games, this is a better choice because it offers far better bandwidth and image quality.

Thunderbolt 3: Thunderbolt 3 interfaces are common on Apple computers and Macbooks. If you are streaming from an Apple device, you will probably want to get a capture card with this interface.

Input and Output

Input and output describe how your capture card connects to your device. Most are HDMI or USB compatible, although some may only be compatible with certain cables.

Ensure you get one that connects to the right cable; otherwise, you will scramble for cable converters.

You should also check the cables that your gaming system uses. Most use HDMI cables, although a few offer USB ports as well. If you’re a gamer, some systems, such as the Nintendo 64, have their specific cable requirements.

Image and Video Quality

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Without high-quality imagery, your streaming career is toast.

Potential viewers hope to see and hear crisp video and sound quality to feel immersed in your world, not to be taken out of it by constant glitching and fuzzy images.

The specs determining a capture card’s image and video quality are important.

Frame rate

First, consider the frame rate or how many images the capture card can transmit per second.

Most modern capture cards have a frame rate of about 60 fps or frames per second.

I won’t choose anything slower than that if you plan to make a living as a gamer streamer because it will make your game lag, which is particularly annoying if you plan to stream high-octane action games such as Call of Duty.

You can make do with 30 fps if you’re a video podcaster.

Resolution

The other factor that determines video quality is the resolution. At the very least, you want your capture card to do 1080p (FullHD).

If you plan to stream in UHD, you want a capture card supporting 4K and HDR10 image and video resolutions.

Before immediately reaching for the capture card with the highest possible resolution, consider whether you need to stream in HD.

A capture card capable of streaming in 4K is useless if you do not have other equipment to support that resolution and speed, such as your bandwidth speed.

4K and HD capture cards also require massive storage and are pricier than their 1080p counterparts.

Price

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Stay mindful of your bandwidth… don’t purchase a 4K60 capture card, if your broadband connection can’t handle it – or you’ll end up frustrated like this guy.

It’s easy to get carried away by the detailed specs of a capture card that promises to transform your streaming career. However, staying mindful of your budget and bandwidth would be best.

Depending on what you want to stream, a more expensive capture card may not be your best choice.

Most of the price increases come down to image quality – and especially resolution – but if the rest of your streaming setup does not support UHD imagery, it’s not worth paying for a capture card that can record videos in 4K.

When drawing up your equipment budget, you also want to consider your streaming goals.

If you want to turn streaming into a lucrative side hustle or career, it is worth spending the extra money on a high-quality capture card.

If you are still deciding or know for certain that you are just going to stream a few games for friends, go for the affordable option.

Is software included?

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Finally, you want to choose a capture card that is easy to use.

Some capture cards are ready to use right out of the box and come with built-in software, while others have a more complicated installation process.

Determining if the extra installation hassle is worth it is up to you.

When looking at capture cards, check to see what software is included.

Many have their software pre-installed, so you have to connect the cables and start playing.

Others may require installing software separately, such as OBS or XSplit. Most beginner streamers are familiar with this software already since it can be used to stream without a capture card, so it will not be a problem.

If you want additional capabilities from your capture card, check the specs to see if it has additional software.

Some capture cards have built-in basic editing software that allows you to edit videos without additional downloads or software packages.

Others have options for audio mixing, automatically adjusting resolution, or other capabilities.

If you want a capture card with additional software, be sure you need it before paying extra.

Summary: Choosing the Right Capture Card

If you are serious about streaming video games, doing live video podcasts, or live educational videos on Twitch or other popular platforms. In that case, you need a capture card to ensure video quality and speed.

To find the right card, consider image quality, interface, compatibility with your existing setup, and your streaming goals and budget.

If you hope to become a professional streamer, you will need to get a much more expensive capture card than someone just hoping to stream a few games for personal entertainment.


Author

    by
  • Jan Sørup

    Jan Sørup is a indie filmmaker, videographer and photographer from Denmark. He owns filmdaft.com and the Danish company Apertura, which produces video content for big companies in Denmark and Scandinavia. Jan has a background in music, has drawn webcomics, and is a former lecturer at the University of Copenhagen.

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