Place |
Name |
Characteristic in the rating |
1 | AverMedia Technologies Live Gamer 4K GC573 | Best internal video capture card |
2 | AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2PLUS | Best external video capture card |
3 | AverMedia Technologies Live Gamer Extreme 2 GC551 | Good price/feature ratio for the mid-budget segment |
4 | Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ | Best choice for console streaming |
5 | Razer Ripsaw HD | Affordable 4K Streaming Solution |
6 | Elgato Cam Link | Simple and portable |
7 | AverMedia Technologies Live Gamer Ultra GC553 | Ease of setup |
8 | KS-is HDMI-USB 2.0 | Best price |
9 | Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro | Top-of-the-line embedded solution for professional streamers |
10 | Matrox Monarch HDX | Simultaneous work with two threads |
The video capture card is a modern solution for recording (digitizing) data from the video output of a PC / console or organizing live broadcasts, for example, gameplay directly to streaming platforms. The use of these devices allows you to offload the graphics card and CPU, providing the computer with sufficient performance to run high-definition games.Another common area of application is the organization of video surveillance with recording to external media or to the cloud.
Market leaders in video capture cards
Not many companies offer their devices on the domestic market, but the leading manufacturers have not bypassed Russia with their attention, so experts advise giving preference to the following brands in the first place:
AverMedia technologies. A Taiwanese company specializing in video surveillance, video capture and broadcasting systems. Offers the widest range of quality devices for any wallet and for any task.
Elgato. A German brand that has long earned a reputation as a reliable manufacturer of video signal digitizing tools. Many models of this company are considered the best on the market in terms of price / functionality.
Matrox. This Canadian brand focuses on the professional environment and offers options with advanced functionality that you have to shell out a lot of money for, but the purchases are always fully justified.
Razer. An American company specializing in the gaming industry, well versed in it and therefore offering interesting gadgets for high-quality gaming streaming.
How to choose a video capture card?
According to experts, when choosing a video capture board, first of all, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
Execution type. Internal video capture cards do not require additional power supply and often give the best data transfer rate. On the other hand, external boards can work with different devices, plus some models are equipped with controls that simplify recording / streaming setup.
Connection interfaces. External capture cards are most often connected to a computer via a USB port. Be sure to make sure that the supported connector version is at least 3.0, otherwise lags are inevitable at resolutions above 720p.
Permission. This parameter depends on the purpose of using the board: for video surveillance, the optimal resolution is 720p, streaming requires a minimum support for FullHD (1080p) resolution, and ideally 4K.
FPS. The higher the supported frame rate, the better. For example, a comfortable stream on YouTube should provide 60 FPS.
Top 10 Best Video Capture Boards
10 Matrox Monarch HDX
Country: Canada
Average price: 120000 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.5
Professional level external video capture card. This is an expensive, but the best solution for organizing simultaneous streaming on two platforms, which allows you to turn your computer into a small home TV studio. Such opportunities became available due to the use of two built-in H.264 encoders at once and providing a total signal transfer rate of up to 30 Mb / s. Note that the modes of operation can be combined, using one channel for streaming, and the second for recording material for subsequent cutting of clips.
In user reviews, it is noted that the board works stably in any mode and has a lot of preset recording / broadcasting settings, which allows you to quickly adjust the video stream to the requirements of a particular platform. In addition, the manufacturer offers a special set of developer tools that will allow you to create your own control interface, but this is already an option for very advanced users.
9 Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro
Country: Germany
Average price: 16990 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
Professional video capture device with a biting price tag, but very impressive features. The manufacturer used the form factor of an expansion board for a computer, i.e. this model is installed inside the PC case in the PCI Ex1 slot and does not "irritate the eyes" on the table. The signal is digitized by a hardware H.264 encoder, and the maximum output resolution is 1080p at 60 fps, which is quite good for organizing high-quality streams. A video recording mode is also provided, so that in between games the board can be used as a means of controlling video surveillance.
According to reviews on specialized sites, this model copes with its duties better than many competitors, ideally working not only with PCs, but also with laptops, as well as consoles of all generations. Users also like the ease of setting up the device, although there are certain quibbles in the area of interface development for proprietary recording software. Another disadvantage is that the most stable operation is provided only on a PC with Windows 10.
8 KS-is HDMI-USB 2.0
Country: Russia
Average price: 1300 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
The most affordable video capture tool on the Russian market. With an average cost below 1500 rubles, it also offers similar opportunities for digitizing a video signal, i.e. only the bare minimum. This board is made in a compact form factor, reminiscent of a USB modem or a large flash drive. Connects to a computer (or other device) via a USB 2.0 port, and the maximum output resolution is 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second.When the frame rate is increased to 60 fps, the resolution drops to 720p, so the gadget is unlikely to be suitable for streaming, but video surveillance can be organized.
According to reviews, this compact and inexpensive video capture card fully fulfills its cost: it does not require additional installation of drivers, it is quickly detected by specialized software (for example, OBS Studio) and writes at the declared speed with minimal delays or without them at all. The downside of the model can be considered only limited functionality.
7 AverMedia Technologies Live Gamer Ultra GC553
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 17400 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
One of the easiest and most popular cards for video surveillance, digitization of images on a computer and video capture of streams. This is an external board with a stylish ribbed case and a power indicator. Several ribs are through, which makes it possible to provide passive ventilation.
Another plus is the full support for 2K resolution. The downside was the cut-down support for 4K, which is why you can stream in this quality only at a maximum of 15 frames per second, although the factory settings have a position of 30 frames. Some versions come with a software key, in particular Power Director 15.
6 Elgato Cam Link
Country: Germany
Average price: 12590 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.6
A simple device that resembles a flash drive in shape and size. The minimum signal delay allows you to get "live" communication in communication programs. Ease of connection and the absence of unnecessary wires make it a convenient and responsive device for all occasions.
Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the work only on the USB-port version 3.0.When connected to 2.0, the device is recognized, but data cannot be transferred. At least that's how it behaves at 1080p quality. We recommend using it only when recording video, we do not recommend streaming, since the delay here can be 2 or more seconds. The main thing - do not lose it because of the extremely compact form. Of the ports, there is only HDMI, so if your connected device has a different port, you will have to buy an adapter.
5 Razer Ripsaw HD
Country: USA
Average price: 11840 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
This external video capture card is the most affordable among those that support signal output in 4K quality, and even at 60 fps. The gadget was developed by an American company that specializes in gaming accessories, so the Razer Ripsaw HD was originally adapted for streaming. The input video interface here is HDMI, plus there is a separate microphone jack, but the board is connected to the computer via USB 3.2 Type-C. What distinguishes Ripsaw HD from more expensive competitors with similar capabilities is the lack of built-in HDR support, plus the resolution is limited to 1080p in recording mode.
Customer reviews say that the device does an excellent job with real-time digitization, works stably on different PC builds and allows you to stream quality from the latest generation of consoles. Among the shortcomings: a meager set of settings, possible problems with sound in some video capture programs, as well as the need to update the firmware immediately after purchase, and the latest update can only be found on the American website of the manufacturer.
4 Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+
Country: Germany
Average price: 18990 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
This model of an external video capture card was originally developed for the graphic capabilities of modern game consoles. Connects to a computer using a USB 3.2 Type-C connector, HDMI 2.0 ports are provided for directly capturing video from PS / XBox and broadcasting it. Note that this device is able to fully work with a resolution of 4K (at 30/60 fps) and has support for HDR10. According to experts, Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ is the best solution for streaming from consoles among all options available in Russia.
This conclusion is also confirmed by users in their reviews. Moreover, the board is praised not only for its working capabilities, digitization without delay and high-quality functionality, but also for its stylish appearance that fits optimally into the environment of gaming gadgets. Among the shortcomings, we note the need for an OS on the PC not lower than Windows 10 or Mac OS X v10.13.
3 AverMedia Technologies Live Gamer Extreme 2 GC551
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 13000 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.7
Good card with HDMI and USB cable included. It looks simple and impressive at the same time thanks to the soft-touch plastic on the top and the usual black around the entire periphery of the case. It does not collect fingerprints, but user interaction with it will be minimal. There are no mechanical buttons here, you can control the card only with the help of software. All sources for connecting devices are located on the rear, and power is supplied via USB 3.1.
Under the top cover there is a niche in which paper with a pattern is hidden, which can be replaced independently, to your liking.The new support and management program is fully localized, and the menu itself is divided into a three-section puck. Among the shortcomings can be noted a minimum of settings, weak instructions. It became popular on the market thanks to the manufacturer's aggressive campaign and a good price/features balance.
2 AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2PLUS
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 12500 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
AverMedia's most popular video capture card, loved by streamers all over the world. It is able not only to independently record absolutely everything that is on the monitor without loading the hardware, but is also a full-fledged station for broadcasting games and more. The design is very unusual, made in the form of a triangle, which resembles the well-known Toblerone chocolate. The main body material is matte plastic. Another plus was the fact that the device is equipped with non-slip feet, which means stability will increase.
The manufacturer handled the controls in the spirit of minimalism, leaving the volume control and the choice of storage for recording. The flash drive can only be in Micro SD format. When you select the "No PC" mode, you can connect the board to any device, after which everything that is on the screen will be recorded directly to memory. Ideal for those who like to stream from consoles.
1 AverMedia Technologies Live Gamer 4K GC573
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 19300 rub.
Rating (2022): 4.8
The best board for streaming, video surveillance and image capture. However, this model has its own advantages and disadvantages. It supports a refresh rate of 240 frames for Full HD and 60 frames for 4K.It comes in a spectacularly designed box, where you can find the board itself with an HDMI cable, a key to the Power Director 15 program, a warranty card and a user manual. It is installed in a PCI-E slot and resembles a compact video card in size.
The lion's share of attention was paid here to the appearance, and rightly so, given the current trends. The board is illuminated around the entire periphery of the case, and the RGB lighting itself can be further customized depending on the colors of your system. All the main components are covered with a triangular mesh casing, and under it you can find a passive cooling radiator. For input and output, there are 2 HDMI version 2.0. A pass-through connection is also available, keeping streaming video without quality loss.