How to use a capture card on console and PC – Guide
With so much competition from streaming, it’s always a good idea to release the best quality content if you want your stream to stand out. One of the ways to improve the quality of a stream is with a capture card. While some streamers have a single PC or console and don’t use capture cards, more advanced streamers often have multiple PCs or connect their console to a PC to add transitions, overlays and other customizations.
What does a capture card do?
Capture cards allow users to capture video and audio from the source and save them as data. Saved data is optimized using the software before being loaded. Most streamers have a gaming PC and a second PC connected to it to capture the game feed. Once connected to the source, the streamer can use software such as Open Broadcast Software (OBS) on the second PC to add animations and other customizations prior to broadcast. While it is possible to use a capture card on a standalone PC, most streamers use multiple PCs for their stream. The main reason to use a capture card on a second PC instead of doing everything on one PC is to get the best performance. If a player is playing and streaming on the same device simultaneously, this can lead to reduced performance or dropped frame rates because both tasks can compete for the same resources.
Types of capture cards
There are two main types of capture cards: internal and external. Internal capture cards, like Elgato’s HD60 Pro or Avermedia Live Gamer Duo, fit into a PCIe slot on the motherboard. This type of capture card has low latency because it is directly connected to the motherboard, but it only works with desktop PCs. Streamers with consoles or laptops they look best with external capture cards like the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S + or the Asus TUF CU4K30. External capture cards may have slightly higher latency than their internal counterparts, but they are compatible with more devices and are easily swapped out.
What to look for when buying a capture card
Like most peripherals, capture cards come in a wide range of prices and specifications. What’s best for you depends on your requirements and budget. Still, there are a few factors to consider when purchasing a capture card. Resolution is one of the main factors to consider. Some capture cards, like the EVGA XR1, only capture in 1080p. Other cards, such as the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+, will up for 4K. Lower resolutions tend to have higher frame rates. On the other hand, higher resolutions tend to have slower frame rates. Some capture cards, such as the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus, have a built-in SD card slot so users can capture directly to it instead of to a PC. Other capture cards, such as the AverMedia Live Gamer Duo, have two HDMI slots and can capture two sources simultaneously. Software compatibility is another factor when choosing a capture card. Most capture cards have proprietary software and also integrate with programs like Xsplit or OBS. Capture cards like Razer’s Ripsaw HD have no proprietary software and rely on third-party applications.
How to use a capture card on a console
Current Playstation and Xbox models have built-in streaming capabilities to allow direct streaming, while the Nintendo Switch can only stream with a capture card via the docking station. Despite the ability to stream directly, it’s still worth using a capture card connected to a PC to produce the highest quality content possible.
How to connect a capture card to a console
Some consoles require some adjustments before transmission. The Nintendo Switch only works with a capture card when it’s connected to a docking station. When connecting to a PlayStation 4 or 5, users must turn off HDCP encryption in System Settings, or the signal will be blocked.
How to use a capture card on a PC
How to connect an external capture card to a PC
How to connect an internal capture card to a PC.
Connecting an internal capture card can be more complicated as there are several types of motherboards and a variety of different capture cards. It’s worth checking in advance if the desired capture card is compatible with the motherboard and if there are free slots. Each capture card is different and there may be slight variations in connecting them to your device.
Final note
I hope you like the guide How to use a capture card on console and PC. In case if you have any query regards this article you may ask us. Also, please share your love by sharing this article with your friends.
