Video capture card where to buy

Whether you're a seasoned streamer or just starting out, having the best capture card can be a real game-changer. Actually these days, most of these are self-contained devices, but we'll call them capture cards here for historic reasons.

Either way, a good capture card lets you make the content you want without needing to become a professional video producer. Are you recording 4K footage to edit later or focusing on streaming? Need a capture card that travels well with your laptop? Make sure to pick up the capture card that best suits your needs. We've tested all the capture cards on this list for performance and ease of use, so you know which is right for you.

We recommend most people focus on a p target resolution and at least 30fps with any potential capture card purchase. Plus, the bandwidth requirements often mean 4K is not worth the hassle for streamers. This is the perfect card for anyone wanting to take their gameplay to streaming platforms with as little hassle as possible. Elgato is an expert in its field, and the HD60 S proves it. Reasonably priced and simple to use, it's probably the best place to start if you're new to streaming and your gaming PC can't manage it solo.

Crisp p recordings at 60fps are a feather in its cap, while USB 3. Built-in software to get you up and running seals the deal. The only downside would be the card's somewhat limited editing suite—it's not great for anything beyond trimming your videos. However, it does have 'Flashback Recording' to help you retroactively capture even if you forgot to hit 'record.

Even though streaming is easier these days, it doesn't mean there aren't ways to make things even easier for your stream. The AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo is a no-fuss internal capture card for more complicated streams and plays well with most rigs, so long as you have the room.

The only real downside is if you have aspirations for 4K recording or streaming, you'll have to look further down our list. This capture card is flexible, mainly if you record on the go. It works straight out of the box, too—always a plus. It means you'll have to install it on a desktop PC, so using a laptop to control your capture card is out,. This isn't too much of a problem, as many people use those very-capable applications anyway.

And because it doesn't have its own software, the Ripsaw HD also supports built-in, easy-to-use audio mixing with the help of its hardwired, "hassle-free" mic and headphone jacks. For the price, it also has the best picture quality. Although it's still limited to p streaming and capture, the Ripsaw HD lets you experience your favorite games first-hand—while streaming or capturing—at 4K 60fps. Appealing to PC gamers who want to share their gameplay online but don't want to miss out on the top-notch visual fidelity ushered in by their expensive and powerful graphics cards.

It may need a high-end PC to get off the ground, but this is an excellent piece of kit for those intent on capturing gameplay at the highest resolution and frame rate possible. The 4K60 Pro's encoder can reduce file size and save you much-needed memory real-estate, but they can still be chunky in real terms.

Our pick of the best gaming monitors to buy in EVGA is best known for its graphics cards, so it was a surprise when it announced the XR1, its first external capture device for streamers. The AVerMedia capture card is the perfect fit for streamers who are on the go, with its small, compact design.

Along with the portable form factor, there is also an SD card slot to easily store any video game capture. The best feature of this capture card, however, might be the seamless and lag-free capture.

Boasting a resolution of p and 60 fps when streaming and 4K and 60 fps for smooth gameplay. This card is definitely the best if you want a powerful card for a decent price. This capture card supports older inputs, making it perfect for streaming games from older consoles, like GameCube, Playstation 2 and the original Xbox.

It also includes an HDMI input, for newer consoles. This card streams at p at a consistent 30 fps. It is incredibly small yet powerful.

It also outputs to a resolution of p. This card is roughly the size of a USB stick. This is another great device for streamers on a budget and those who are just getting started on streaming. The card includes passthrough for up to 4K. Most streamers want to put a face on the stream, and it would be best to capture that in the highest quality possible. This also works for non-gaming content like cooking or craft videos. It is the perfect way to display high-quality camera footage.

Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. What to Look For While consoles from Sony and Microsoft have streaming capabilities, they are not as powerful as a capture card. How We Selected We relied on research from a variety of different publications, taking into account reviews from consumers, as well as our own knowledge on the products. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.