Best capture cards for PC gaming Archives

Although the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 can capture gameplay internally, the quality usually isn’t great. Consoles in particular are already operating on thin margins when it comes to rendering games, so adding video encoding on top of that isn’t ideal. With a capture card, though, you can offload the work to an external device, taking the heat off your consoles and, in the process, upping your video quality. In this guide to the best capture cards, we’re going to run down our top six picks.

When it comes to recording gameplay and livestreaming, a capture card is necessary. For recording, capture cards allow you to capture the highest resolution and frame rate possible, as well as tweak various settings. For streaming, capture cards are an all-in-one solution for getting what you’re seeing on screen out to the masses. Below, we’ve labeled each card with its best-use case, but it’s important to note that all of the capture cards will work across systems (minus the Elgato 4K60 Pro, which requires a PCI slot).

We also have the system requirements for each card. If you’re not familiar with PC components, worry not; all of our picks will work with modern consoles and a desktop or laptop from the last few years.

Further reading

Elgato Game Capture HD60 S

The best capture card for PS4

Pros: Instant streaming, flashback recording, console, PC, and Mac support.

Cons: Lacks H.264 encoder, limited editing software capabilities.

When you look at Elgato’s products released over the last several years, it’s easy to see why the company currently rules the game capture market. From its internal capture cards to its external devices and software, Elgato’s Game Capture lineup can handle just about anything.

Elgato’s HD60 S is a great option for consoles, especially the PlayStation 4. You don’t need a capture card with 4K capability given the PlayStation 4 can’t play 4K games and its more powerful sibling, the PlayStation 4 Pro, doesn’t play most games in native 4K.

The HD60 S supports 1080p captures at 60 frames per second. It also provides convenient features like “Instant Streaming,” which gets your captured content up on Twitch or YouTube quickly. Its “Flashback Recording” allows you to retroactively save footage from your favorite game. It’s also compatible with Mac via proprietary software.

The device connects to your PC via a USB-C connection (5Gbps). You’ll need Windows 10 (64-bit) or MacOS Sierra and a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 quad-core processor (or better). Macs require discrete AMD and Nvidia GPUs while PCs support integrated graphics too.

Unlike the older discontinued models, this version doesn’t have a built-in H.264 encoder. That means your PC will do more work. Additionally, the included editing software is largely limited to trimming and piecing together footage.

Razer Ripsaw HD

The best capture card for Xbox One X

Pros: 4K passthrough, audio mixing and microphone input, compatible with most capture software, PC, Mac, and current-gen and last-gen console support.

Cons: No proprietary software.

The beefed-up Xbox One X supports true native 4K gaming, making Razer’s Ripsaw HD the optimum choice. However, it only records and streams in 1080p at 60 fps. But don’t worry: It supplies a 4K passthrough port so you’re still playing in 4K despite the low-resolution capture.

Razer’s Ripsaw HD isn’t specifically built for the Xbox One X, however. It’s also compatible with last-gen consoles such as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. That said, if you want to stream or capture older games, you can do so with this device.

The Razer Ripsaw HD connects to your PC via a USB-C to USB-A cable (5Gbps). It also includes separate headphone and microphone jacks on the front so you can easily record quality commentary while you play.

The Ripsaw HD is not perfect, however. Despite costing about the same as Elgato’s offerings, it doesn’t come with packed software, requiring you to utilize third-party solutions like OBS or XSplit. It currently doesn’t support Mac either, requiring a Windows-based PC. It does, however, fall under the Synapse 3 umbrella.

For desktop, you need at least a sixth-generation Intel Core i3-6100 chip and Nvidia’s GTX 660 GPU or higher. On laptops, you need at least a fourth-generation Intel Core i7-4810MQ and Nvidia’s GTX 870M or higher.

AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus

The best capture card for Nintendo Switch

Pros: Small and portable, 4K passthrough, the software is versatile and easy to use, records footage to MicroSD, console and PC support.

Cons: Mac users need third-party software.

The Nintendo Switch’s portability makes it a great choice for traveling gamers, and with the right carrying case, you can even take the system’s dock with you. If you want to record gameplay on the go but don’t want to bring a PC, the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus is a perfect choice.

With the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus you can record gameplay without a tethered PC using its built-in H.264 encoder. It captures in 1080p at 60 fps, which is the ceiling for the Nintendo Switch’s limited capabilities. It saves your video to a MicroSD card, which you can access through the device’s Micro-USB connection to a PC (storage mode) or by transferring the MicroSD card to a PC.

If you want to livestream gameplay, you’ll need to connect the capture card to your PC and use Avermedia’s software (RECentral). It’s easy to use and comes with features comparable to OBS and XSplit. Live editing allows you to chop down recordings before saving them as a file.

In addition to the MicroSD and Micro-USB ports, the unit provides two HDMI ports along the back, one of which serves as a 4K passthrough (no HDR). Separate microphone and headphone jacks are on the front along with volume control and mode (PC, PC-free, storage) buttons. The system requirements are a bit strange. With a desktop, you need a Core i5-3330 or better and a GTX 650, while on a laptop, you need a Core i7-4810MQ and GTX 870M or better.

The one major downside of the Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus is that its proprietary software only works with Windows. The company offers an “express” version in beta for Macs, but you’ll likely need third-party software like OBS and XSplit.

Roxio Game Capture HD Pro

The best cheap capture card

Pros: Affordable, versatile software, PC, current-gen, and last-gen support.

Cons: Incompatible with Mac, uses USB 2.0, doesn’t include cables.

You don’t need to break the bank to buy a capture card, and with the Roxio Game Capture HD Pro, you barely even need to make a dent.

Typically selling for under $100, the Roxio Game Capture HD Pro features an auto-capturing component to record the last hour of your gameplay. The included proprietary software features transitions, picture-in-picture boxes, soundtracks, and text to make your content look professional. It streams directly to YouTube or Twitch.

The Roxio Game Capture HD Pro includes a built-in H.264 encoder so your PC does significantly less work. It includes HDMI and Component connectors, allowing you to capture essentially any device up to 1080p at 30 fps. The only drawback here is that you can’t connect a PlayStation 3 to its HDMI input due to HDCP reasons. It also doesn’t include HDMI or Component cables.

Unfortunately, the Roxio Game Capture HD Pro is not compatible with Mac, so you must choose one of our other options. It also uses USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.1, which could cause latency issues during streaming. Some users report issues with reliability, but you get what you pay for!

The system requirements are minimal at best. Your PC needs at least an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU at 1.8GHz or an AMD Athlon x2 64 chip at 2.0GHz. You’ll also need DirectX 9.0c-compatible graphics and sound and 2GB of system memory. This device ships with a USB cable.

Elgato 4K60 Pro

The best capture card for PC

Pros: HDR support, 4K recording at 60 fps, multi-app support

Cons: Expensive, PCIe only, high system requirements

The Elgato 4K60 Pro is a capture card to end all capture cards, and it comes with a price tag to match. As the only internal card on our list, the 4K60 Pro benefits from much larger bandwidth thanks to its PCIe x4 interface, outracing USB 3.0 in every circumstance, and making USB 2.0 look like a relic.

Of course, the standout feature for the 4K60 Pro is that it can record at 2160p at 60 fps. It also supports 1080p60, as well as HDR10.

This is a PC gamer’s capture card, though. Although slotting a PCIe card into your computer is no tough task, simply opening the side panel may be too much. If you fit in that camp but still want the best in quality, our next pick is perfect for you.

The 4K60 Pro is not only a PC gamer’s capture card because it’s internal, but also because it demands some pretty hefty system requirements. You’ll need an Nvidia 10-series GPU, at least, as well as a 6th Gen Core i7 or Ryzen 7. It only supports Windows, too.

Thankfully, the 4K60 Pro is worth the hassle. It includes the same excellent features seen on the HD60 S, including Flashback Recording, as well as passthrough at up to 1080p240 or 1440p144.

Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+

The best high-end external capture card

Pros: Hardware H.264/H.265 encoding, built-in SD card reader, HDR support, 4K recording at 60 fps

Cons: Very expensive, no high-resolution passthrough

The Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+ is, basically, a 4K60 Pro in a box. Nearly twice the price on the PCIe variant, the 4k60 S+ clocks in at a staggering $400. It does, however, have some perks over the base 4K60 Pro.

Namely, the S+ comes with a H.264/H.265 hardware encoder built in. You don’t need a supercomputer to use it, as all of the processing takes place on the card itself, but you’ll still need a decent rig. Like the 4K60 Pro, you’ll need a machine with 8GB of RAM and a 10-series or better Nvidia GPU. The CPU requirements are less strict, requiring either a Ryzen 7 or 6th Gen Core i5 or better.

With the encoder on board, you don’t even need a PC to use the 4K60 S+. With the built-in SD card reader, you can easily capture gameplay free of a PC, all at 4K60. Plus, the 4K60 S+ supports HDR in case you want to show off your Xbox One X or PS4 Pro.

There are some cons to going external, though. The 4K60 S+ doesn’t support high-resolution/frame-rate passthrough like the PCIe version, and “Instant Gameview,” a feature we’ll touch on in a moment, is delayed by 250 milliseconds. Still, the 4K60 S+ is an absolute house when it comes to capturing your gameplay at the highest resolutions and frame rates.

How do capture cards work?

The term “capture card” is somewhat nebulous, as it technically refers to a peripheral slotted into a PC that allows you to capture gameplay footage.

Capture cards can work a few different ways depending on the model, but they all act as passthrough devices between your game console or PC and your display. Instead of linking your HDMI or VGA cable from your console to your television, you instead link the console to the capture card. A second cable links the capture card to your television. Lastly, a USB cable or PCI connection connects the capture card to your PC so it can transmit data as you record footage.

Some capture cards include a built-in H.264 encoder, which handles most of the processing power required to record video game footage. Those that do not may require a more powerful PC to handle the processing bulk, so be aware of your device’s features before making a purchase.

Also keep in mind that although we listed separate capture cards for each console based on specific features tailored to that system, you can use the same card for all three. If a specific model suits your fancy but isn’t marked as the “best” for your console, use it anyway!

Final Note: Elgato Game Capture HD60 vs. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S

The Elgato Game Capture HD60 S serves as the replacement for the Game Capture HD60, and while it’s superior in several ways, it also features a few differences that could make its predecessor a better fit for you.

The Elgato Game Capture HD60 uses H.264 for encoding that doesn’t make use of your PC’s resources. The HD60 S, however, does not have an H.264 encoder, requiring your PC to do more work. The “Master Copy” feature on the older device also gives you higher quality recording in comparison to the “Stream Copy” recording on the HD60 S.

However, the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S comes equipped with “Instant Gameview,” so you can see your content and even your webcam footage in real time as you play. It also supports USB 3.1 for a lower-latency gaming experience.

Both capture devices support all the current systems, as does the original Game Capture HD device. The only one still in production is the HD60 S, though, so you’ll pay far more than MSRP for the older HD60.

Editors' Recommendations

The best capture cards for streaming is a hotly debated topic. Elgato, Avermedia and Razer have all been competing for the same market share of gamers and streamers alike. Today, with minimal understanding and technical ability, you can purchase a capture card, install the drivers and can be streaming your gameplay within minutes.

Related: The Best Audio Mixers for Streaming

Why You Need a Capture Card for Streaming on Twitch

Including an internal or external capture card to your streaming setup allows you to improve the quality of your stream tremendously. Increased bitrates, higher resolutions and multiple inputs for all of your gaming peripherals makes it a no-brainer for the casual gamer or a professional looking to improve the quality of their stream.

Major brands like Elgato, Avermedia and Razer have all been competing for dominance in this space and thankfully, their competition has brought upon us, higher quality, more affordable products. These all add to a growing list of live streaming equipment like a green screen and a webcam that will greatly add to your streaming experience.

Regardless of which capture card you choose, all of the most popular streaming software solutions can leverage the features of even the newest, most modern capture card. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the best capture cards for streaming in 2020:

Elgato HD 60s – Best Capture Card for PS4

The most popular capture card currently on the market, the Elgato HD 60s has long proven itself as a capable performer. The simplicity and ease of use of an external capture card make this a perfect option for those wanting to stream to Twitch or YouTube with a Sony Playstation 4.

Capable of 1080p 60fps streaming, the Elgato HD 60s provides USB 3.0 support and HDMI input and output ports. Additionally, this capture card does not come with an H.264 encoder; something that you’ll often find in more expensive capture cards and professional video capture devices. However, with the PS4 most likely to produce a 1080p 30fps output, this capture card can more than handle any gaming console of this resolution and playback.

The Elgato HD 60s capture card comes with their own Game Capture Software designed specifically for use with their internal and external capture cards. Boasting the ability to plug and play, their software can get you streaming to Twitch and YouTube in seconds of getting your capture card installed. This is especially useful if you aren’t interested in setting up OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS or Xsplit in order to stream your gaming sessions.

Along with their “Instant Streaming” software, they also provide a feature called “Flashback Recording”, allowing you to retroactively save your game footage. This is a great feature if you’re interested in making YouTube montages of your favorite game and don’t want to scrub through hours of streaming footage inorder to do so. 

Razer Ripsaw HD – Best Capture Card for Xbox One

Razer has been producing gaming peripherals for years and among their catalog of products now sit capture cards. The Razer Ripsaw HD is a rebrand of the Avermedia Live Gamer Extreme 2 with a couple of notable differences. 

This generation of Razer capture cards now support new and improved software through Razer Synapse. Previous generations of Razer software has long since been an issue and even in various Amazon reviews denotes spotty software support. However, this is no longer the case with the Razer Ripsaw HD. In addition to better software support, this capture card also comes with a separate audio and microphone inputs. This allows you to independently adjust and mix the audio coming from either input through streaming software and mixing software alike.

This capture card is capable of 4k 60fps passthrough, however it can only capture 1080p 60hz. This is a great option for those with newer, more powerful gaming consoles like the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X as the added horsepower won’t be wasted unless you purchased a cheaper, less feature rich capture card. 

The Razer Ripsaw HD is designed for ease of use and a plug and play like experience with any streaming software and streaming platform like Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Live. In the specs you’ll also see that this capture card supports YUY2, which is 4:2:2 and is an uncompressed data stream. This is the most common format, however it requires more USB bandwidth but will result in lower latency. The other capable format is MJPEG, which is a compressed data stream that relieves the additional bandwidth of USB but at an increased CPU cost on your streaming PC and increased latency. In large part, you should always default to YUY2 in OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.

Avermedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus – Best Capture Card for Nintendo Switch

Avermedia has long been a manufacturer of capture cards and have been fiercely competitive with brands like Elgato and Magewell. Always looking to innovate and improve functionality, the Avermedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus is another step in that very same direction.

This is an external capture card that is quite small and as stated, very portable. The distinctive feature with this capture card is the SD card slot. This allows you to record and capture your gameplay sessions without requiring an additional PC and therefore makes it a great option for those with a portable console like the Nintendo Switch.

This capture card can handle 4k 60fps passthrough to a television while recording and capturing 1080p 60hz to the streaming platform of your choice. Looking at the front of the device, you’ll also notice a headphone and microphone jack. This is great for capturing your live commentary while recording and does not require additional hardware like an audio splitter.

The optimal preset has the bitrate set to 30 Mbps and the streaming software provided by Avermedia is not nearly as fully featured or user friendly as OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS. However, the Avermedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus was designed to be very easy to use with a plug and play design, therefore you can get up and streaming within minutes of unboxing.

Elgato HD 60 Pro – Best Capture Card for PC Streaming

As expected, the Elgato HD 60 Pro is the most popular capture card for PC streaming. Elgato has been going toe-to-toe with Avermedia over the past few generations of capture cards attempting to one up each other with features and price. However, the majority of the consumer capture card marketplace is dominated by Elgato and for good reason, they make high quality products.

The Elgato HD 60 Pro comes with a built-in H.264 hardware encoder, alleviating additional CPU overhead caused by other capture cards without hardware acceleration. There is a secondary benefit to a dedicated hardware encoder and it’s reduced latency. The Elgato HD 60 Pro is widely regarded as one of the lowest latency, highest performing, affordable capture cards on the market.

Additionally, this capture card is capable of 60 Mbps bitrate, which is upwards of double most other capture cards and removes any bottleneck that you might encounter with your PC streaming setup. As with their previous generation of products, Elgato capture cards work well with any streaming software, whether its OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.

Best Internal Capture Card for PC Streaming

When you’re considering which high end internal capture card for PC streaming there are only two popular options. The Avermedia Live Gamer 4k and the Elgato 4k60 Pro MK2. Both are at the high end of the consumer capture card space and can easily compete for the title of the best internal capture card for PC streaming.

What we need to do next is break down the specs of each and find out where they differ. Other than checking your favorite online marketplaces and sorting by price, we need to know how these two competitive capture cards stack up against one another.

Let’s find out which is the best internal capture card for PC streaming:

The Avermedia Live Gamer 4k is capable of a 4k 60fps passthrough and has multiple recording and capturing resolutions: 4k 60hz, 1440p 144hz, 1080p 240hz.

This capture card supports recording format MPEG 4 (H.264 + AAC) or (H.265 + AAC). However the H.265 + AAC format is only supported with the Avermedia  RECentral streaming software. Along with an internal PC connection of PCIe Gen 2 x4, this is capable of recording and capturing high frame rate gameplay sessions with minimal to no latency.

Looking at the IO side of the Avermedia Live Gamer 4k capture card you’ll notice 2x HDMI 2.0 inputs. Additionally, with the RECentral software and the H.265 + AAC format, this capture card can record HDR gameplay sessions for those with high end PC monitors.

All told, this is a very capable and definitely one of the best internal capture cards currently on the market, however, there is some competition.

Not unlike the aforementioned capture card, the Elgato 4k60 Pro MK2 is a new, compact design. This is aimed at professional Twitch, Facebook Live and YouTube streamers and as such is guaranteed to plug and play work with any popular streaming software.

This is a relatively new capture card on the market and has made many professional quality hardware acceleration features common to the everyday user. This is capable of 4k 60 passthrough along with recording and capture resolutions of 4k 60hz, 1440p 144hz, 1080p 240hz or 1080p 120hz.

In order to attain these resolutions it also requires a PCIe Gen 2 x4 internal PC connection. But with the added bandwidth of PCIe, you also have the added HDR 10-bit capture option at your disposal. With a maximum bitrate of 140 Mbps, there really isn’t much that the Elgato 4k60 Pro MK2 can’t do. 

Whether you’re a professional streamer with a dual PC streaming setup or a casual streamer learning the ropes, you cannot go wrong with either internal capture card. However minor the differences between them, it appears that more often the Elgato 4k60 Pro MK2 is slightly cheaper than the Avermedia Live Gamer 4k.

Related: 5 Best Webcams for Streaming in 2020

What is the Best Budget Capture Card for Twitch Streaming?

The majority of consumers don’t need the best of the best when it comes to capture cards and are only interested in what budget capture cards are good for streaming. Whether you’re streaming your gameplay sessions to Twitch or YouTube, both of these platforms are more than capable of streaming good quality content even at 720p 60fps or 1080p 30fps.

Out of the three most popular brands of capture cards, Elgato, Avermedia, and Razer; only one of them seems to have any decent products in the $50 and $100 price ranges. 

Unless you’re dredging the internet for used or refurbished capture cards, which is something that I do not recommend, the encoding hardware that allows acceleration to occur makes it difficult to have good, reliable streaming capabilities in a super cheap format.

Therefore, let’s take a look at two of the best budget capture cards for streaming:

Best Budget Capture Card Under $50 – Avermedia AverCapture HD

This is the most difficult selection to recommend and for good reason. The majority of capture cards in this price bracket of under $50 are absolute garbage. You’re either beset with no name brands or ultra cheap, too good to be true specs with a price that would warrant a raised eyebrow.

However, the only reputable brand with a good product near the $50 price tag is the Avermedia AverCapture HD capture card. This is an external capture card that is great for use with any modern gaming console along with any relatively modern gaming PC.

Capable of capturing full HD, 1080p with an H.264 hardware encoder makes it possible to have a really good quality Twitch or YouTube stream with full hardware acceleration that provides a  low latency stream. The recording format is much the same as the other Avermedia capture card options, MPEG 4 (H.264 + AAC), however you won’t find HDR or H.265 options within this price range.

Overall, if you’re casually streaming your long gameplay sessions and just want a capture card that works, then you cannot go wrong with the Avermedia AverCapture HD. Affordable, reliable and most importantly, from a reputable company with a history of producing high quality products.

If you’re looking for something a little more feature rich, then let’s bump up to the next price target and find out what is the best budget capture card under $100:

Best Budget Capture Card Under $100 – Avermedia Live Gamer Mini

The Avermedia Live Gamer Mini is a sturdy and well built portable external capture card. It’s designed to be used in several different environments and wouldn’t break a sweat if you should choose to keep it on a gaming PC desk for your long gameplay sessions.

The connections available on this external capture card are a USB-micro(2.0) and two HDMI inputs. This also boasts a maximum passthrough resolution of 1080p 60fps while the ability to record and capture at 1080p 60hz. However, it also supports multiple resolutions, like: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 480p and 480i.

Avermedia Live Gamer Mini uses MPEG 4(H.264 + AAC) format and is capable of handling any modern gaming console and streaming the gameplay to Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Live with any streaming software of your choice. Should you prefer to use Avermedia’s RECentral streaming software, it will provide a simple, yet easy to use software streaming solution, but isn’t as feature rich as OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBS.

Related: The Best Microphones for Streaming in 2020

What is Better? Internal vs External Capture Card

In order to determine which is better for you, we need to understand the differences between an internal capture card vs an external capture card.

An internal capture card will utilize the PCIe slot on your PC motherboard for a connection, while an external capture card will most often use a USB connection. The vast majority of capture cards produced fall into either one of these categories, PCIe or USB.

PCIe vs USB capture cards

The more powerful capture cards might require additional power and bandwidth from the PCIe slot of a PC motherboard but you will have lower latency as a result.  Although the most powerful live streaming computers will use an internal capture card, the additional processing power comes at a cost and that cost is system flexibility.

A USB capture card, while not as powerful or even as feature rich as a high end PCIe capture card; is a far more plug and play device. You can quickly and easily swap between PCs or gaming consoles should you require this. Can pack it up into a backpack and take it with you on the road.

Technically, the more powerful capture cards will almost always require the PCIe slot, as a PCIe x4 can provide a throughput of roughly 16 Gb/s. Whereas, a USB 3 connection spec sheet says it’s capable of 5 Gb/s or maximum use case of 625 MB/s.

What is the Best Capture Card for Dual PC Streaming?

The very best capture card for a 2 PC streaming setup is going to be a PCIe capture card or also known as an internal capture card.

Leveraging the power of the PCie x4 slot on a PC motherboard will afford you a 4k capture or much higher frame rates should you prefer it. The most powerful capture cards can produce 60 fps, 120 fps or 144 hz captures now and they require the bandwidth afforded to it by the PCIe x4 slot.

The aforementioned section Best Internal Capture Card for PC Streaming is more than capable of handling any dual PC streaming setup with ease and is designed to work seamlessly with Streamlabs OBS or OBS Studio.

Which Capture Cards are Compatible with OBS?

The majority of capture cards on the market are compatible with OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS streaming software. If they weren’t, they would probably be out of business.

Any of the aforementioned internal and external capture cards from Elgato, Avermedia and Razer have been designed to work specifically with the most popular streaming software. Most of these capture card brands also provide their own streaming software in an effort to simplify and drive home the plug and play nature of their devices. However, whether you choose to use their software or not, once you install the drivers on your operating system, OBS Studio and Streamlabs OBS or Xsplit can see the device and can immediately begin to leverage its benefits.

How to Use a Capture Card with Streamlabs OBS and OBS Studio

Streamlabs OBS and OBS Studio are the premier live streaming software packages currently used. It’s simple and easy to use; setting it up for use with a capture card is only a handful of steps.

Download and Install Streamlabs OBS or OBS Studio, then follow these steps:

1. Open Streamlabs OBS/OBS Studio and find Sources, click on the + sign
2. Select add a Video Capture Device
3. Name your new Video Capture Device – in the event you expand your live streaming setup with more devices in the future
4. Select your Video Capture Device, aka capture card from the drop down menu
5. Resize your Capture Window to fit your screen – sometimes this needs to be adjusted with a brand new install/setup

Once you’ve completed these steps you’re ready to use your brand new capture card with any PC gaming setup. However, if you’re looking for a step  by step guide for gaming consoles like the Xbox One, PS4 or the Nintendo Switch, feel free to scroll down.

How to Use a Capture Card for Xbox One

You can connect your Xbox One to any capture card and leverage the power of Streamlabs OBS and OBS Studio in a handful of simple to follow steps. 

Streamlabs OBS is built off of OBS Studio, which is free and open source software. As such, it does not require much change between either live streaming software.

Here’s how to use your capture card with an Xbox One:

1. Connect your Xbox One to the HDMI IN of your capture card
2. Connect the HDMI OUT of the same cable to your TV/Monitor
3. Connect your capture card to your PC/laptop via the USB cable

Once the physical connections are setup, we can move onto setting up the software:

1. Open Streamlabs OBS/OBS Studio
2. Find the Sources section and click on the + sign
3. Select the Add Video Capture Device
4. Name your Video Capture Device
5. Select your Video Capture Device from the drop down list

How to Use a Capture Card for PS4

You can also use any capture card for streaming with a PS4 along with Streamlabs OBS or OBS Studio. If that is the live streaming software that you prefer, then the aforementioned steps will be the exact same for the PS4 as the steps are independent of any game console 

One of the more popular options is to leverage the Elgato Game Capture software if you’re using an Elgato capture card.

Here are the steps to set up your PS4 with Elgato Game Capture:

1. Download and Install the new version of Elgato Game Capture software
2. Disable HDCP on your Sony Playstation 4
3. Make sure to connect all necessary cables between the PS4 and your PC and/or monitor –  HDMI and USB cables that are provided with an Elgato capture card
4. Open up the Elgato Game Capture software
5. Select your Elgato capture card from the Devices list
6. Now you’re ready to play, record and stream from your PS4 to any live streaming platform

How to Use a Capture Card for the Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is unique in that it’s a portable/handheld gaming console. However, in order to stream to Twitch, Facebook Live or YouTube, it must be connected to the Nintendo Switch Dock.

Here are the easy to follow steps for connecting your Nintendo Switch to a capture card:

1. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into HDMI OUT of the Nintendo Switch dock
2. Plug the other end of the same HDMI cable into the HDMI IN of your capture card
3. Plug in your other HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT of your capture card
4. Plug the other end of the second HDMI cable into the HDMI IN of your TV/Monitor
5. Insert your Nintendo Switch into the Nintendo Switch Dock
6. Connect your capture card with the USB cable to your laptop or computer
7. Open your Streamlabs OBS/OBS Studio or other capture card software and select your capture card device

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Capture Cards for Streaming

Related: The Best Audio Interfaces for Streaming in 2020

What are the Best Capture Cards for Twitch Streaming?

Today you can easily purchase a reliable and reputable capture card from a handful of companies. With streaming platforms like Twitch, Facebook Live and YouTube including better services and easier to use interfaces, it’s only a matter of time before more people try live streaming.

Whether you need 4k 60fps passthrough while capturing 1080p 60hz or need a portable capture card with a built-in SD card slot, the products in the marketplace today are designed to meet your every need.