Capture Cards

What does a Capture Card Do?

A capture card is an input device used to convert gameplay signals to digital data that can be uploaded to the internet. It helps game lovers capture and save their favorite games. With a Capture Card and other accessories like HDMI cable , its possible to stream and capture and share the entire game.

What is a Capture Card and do I Need It?

A capture card is an essential tool if you're using an external device and recording or streaming on a PC. If, however, you're streaming gameplay directly from a PC, then a capture card isn't necessary. That's because the source stream is coming from the PC itself, so there's no need for conversion or passthrough.

Which Capture Card is Best for Streaming?

The best capture card for streaming is the Elgato Cam Link Pro. This model is unlike any other in this list, letting you capture up to four HDMI inputs simultaneously, either pushing 1080p at 60fps or 4K at 30fps.

Are Capture Cards Necessary for PC?

As mentioned above, if you want to record PC game footage, you dont need a capture card. But if you want to use the PC to record the footage when playing games on external devices such as Xbox, PS, Switch, a capture card may be your best choice.

Why do I Need a Capture Card if I just Use OBS?

OBS and other thirdparty capture and streaming software are great, but there are limitations, lets say you want to stream gameplay from a game console or use an HDMI camera instead of a webcam; the easiest way to get them to work your PC without an external or internal capture card.

With software like OBS, you are entirely reliant on your system resources, such as your CPU or GPU, when it comes to capturing video inputs. That can be a drain if youre capturing at a high bit rate and trying to play a game simultaneously. Modern CPUs have gotten good at the necessary multitasking, but a dedicated capture card can help lighten the load.

Do Capture Cards Reduce Quality?

On the contrary, a good capture card could increase the quality of your stream, potentially lighten the load on your main PC, and improve the performance of your games while streaming.

Do I Need a Capture Card to Stream PS4?

The PS4 makes streaming games on Twitch, YouTube, or even Discord relatively simple. You dont even need a capture card, thanks to PS4 Remote Play . Nowadays, you can share your live gameplay with anyone in the world with the proper setup.

What Capture Card does PS4 Use?

When using Elgato Game Capture HD60, Linear PCM is the appropriate choice for the PlayStation 4 PS4. Elgato Game Capture HD software works well if your computer exceeds the basic System Requirements.

Is a Capture Card Better for Streaming?

The above are the main advantages of using a capture card for your game live streaming. It not only gets rid of extra load from your PC, but also ensures high-quality video streaming and ultra-low latency in video transmission. It can offer you better flexibility in device management and smooth gaming experience.

Can Elgato Record 120fps?

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have the capability to output high refresh rate video at 120Hz at various resolutions.

Will a Capture Card Limit my FPS?

Your capture card may limit the resolution and frame rate of your games, depending on what the passthrough supports. The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+, for example, supports 4K passthrough at 60 fps, allowing you to enjoy the full resolution of a PS5 or Xbox Series X while streaming or recording.