If you are looking to start streaming or simply want to record gameplay, one of the most essential items you need is a capture card.
Whether discussing an external capture card or internal capture cards, one thing is certain: the success of your videos will depend on the quality of the footage you capture.
We will assist you in finding the best capture card available. Today, we will compare the AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K and Elgato game capture cards.
No matter if you are recording on a computer, next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, or older consoles such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, you will want to know the specifications of these capture cards.
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Avermedia Capture Card vs. Elgato – What’s the Difference?
When it comes to hardware, there are significant differences that may affect your decision to choose one capture card over another. The Avermedia Live Gamer 4K requires Thunderbolt 3 for operation, which is the most notable distinction from the Elgato HD60 capture card.
You cannot use the AVerMedia Live Gamer without Thunderbolt 3. This is not ideal, as most PC users do not have access to Thunderbolt 3; it is more commonly associated with Macs. Additionally, the AVerMedia Live Gamer is not compatible with AMD Radeon technology, specifically their Ryzen processors.
However, the 4K60S+ utilizes a standard USB 3.0 interface, making it more accessible for anyone with a modern PC. The 4K60S+ maintains a bitrate of up to 200 Mbps, which is quite good, but each device approaches encoding in its own way.
The Live Gamer Bolt requires minimal processing since it utilizes your PC’s GPU to encode video. In contrast, while the 4K60S+ employs the hardware encoder of the 4K60S+, it also features its own encoder.
A built-in SD card slot may be the most notable difference between the 4K60S+ and the 2160p 60fps. If you’re a gamer who often travels, perhaps for special events, you can still record high-quality video without needing a PC. Product Quality
Design
Our initial impression of the AVerMedia HDR capture card was that it had a more rectangular shape, featuring a sleek design on both the front and back. When you connect the capture card to the PC, the LED light in the top right corner turns blue, and when you begin recording, the light pulses red.
When you disconnect the game capture from your PC, the LED indicator in the top right corner will turn blue again.
To connect external devices, the Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra features multiple slots on the sides and a mesh on the top. While they may seem purely decorative in the screenshot, don’t be deceived: they are functional.
The built-in fan on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra circulates air to keep your game capture device cool while you record your gameplay.
Consequently, you can expect uninterrupted streaming or recording due to heat, a common issue with game capture hardware.
In contrast, the matte black body and rounded shape of the Elgato HD60 S create the impression that it is a simpler device than it actually is.
During the recording process, a red pulse is visible moving along the length of the LED indicator strip that extends across the game recording.
In comparison to the Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra, this model is more streamlined and lighter.
Software Integration
Both of these capture cards include their own bundled software. Avermedia includes RECentral, while Elgato comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
RECentral can capture HDR video and stream on multiple platforms simultaneously. If you enjoy streaming on both Twitch and YouTube, this is an excellent option for you. This demonstrates the strength and capability of this streaming software. RECentral is a fantastic tool because it can help you achieve your streaming goals.
Conversely, the Elgato Game Capture HD software enables you to broadcast and record your gaming sessions at a high frame rate, while also allowing for basic video editing tasks.
If you have been creating videos on YouTube for any length of time, you can appreciate the significance of the editing capabilities offered by capture cards.
Another aspect of Elgato’s streaming software is its clean and user-friendly interface, which is easy to navigate and manage, while RECentral can sometimes be somewhat frustrating to use.
Image Quality
If you examine the specs list more closely, you’ll notice a significant difference in the supported resolutions. The Live Gamer Ultra supports 2160p at 30fps for streaming and recording, while Elgato’s supported resolutions reach up to 1080p at 60fps.
If you are only looking to stream on Twitch or YouTube, the Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra is a good choice, as it offers many more options for the resolutions you can stream in.
This is where the editing capabilities of Elgato come into play. If you not only stream but also want to upload gameplay to YouTube, this is the sole reason to choose Elgato capture cards.
When examining the streaming performance of the two capture cards, we find that the Avermedia can output 1080p quality at a frame rate of up to 120fps, while the Elgato HD60 S can only reach a frame rate of 60fps.
If you are streaming Xbox games, you typically only need around 60 fps, as console gaming usually supports a maximum of 60 fps. However, if you are streaming on a PC and have a high refresh rate monitor, you might want to consider the Live Gamer Ultra, which can display your 120 fps gaming footage.
Latency
Now let’s examine how they compare in terms of latency. The Avermedia Live Gamer features Ultra-Low Latency technology, enabling you to play uncompressed video on your PC monitor with virtually no delay.
This is largely due to the Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, which enables video recording and playback at up to 2160p and 60 frames per second. With a bitrate of up to 240 Mbps, latency will be negligible for most users.
Meanwhile, the HD60 S includes a feature called Instant Gameview, which offers extremely low latency for streaming and capturing while in use. Unfortunately, Elgato is not as quick in this regard as Thunderbolt, which is nearly five times faster than Lightning.
In this regard, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra and the Elgato HD60 are similar; however, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra offers significantly lower latency overall.
Summary
Choosing between these two capture cards will depend on a few minor differences. What level of performance do you expect in the games you are streaming: is it 60 fps or below 60 fps?
If you are streaming console games from Xbox, PlayStation, or the Switch on Twitch or YouTube, a lower FPS is acceptable, so you would be better off using Elgato. However, if you are streaming on PC, the Live Gamer Ultra is the better choice.
Additionally, the resolution in which you intend to stream will also be a deciding factor. If you do not plan on streaming at a resolution higher than 1080p, which is the standard today, choosing the Elgato will be sufficient. Any resolution beyond that is excessive.
The Live Gamer Ultra has lower latency than Elgato, but this difference is not noticeable when streaming on Twitch. While it may become apparent in the future, for now, you can continue using Elgato.
FAQ
What Are Capture Cards Used For?
Video and audio input can be streamed to a computer or saved to an SD card using capture cards, which are electrical devices. HDMI input is common on modern capture cards, whereas composite cables were used on older equipment.Video game consoles and cameras can be used as sources of footage, and to be able to make high-definition videos out of that footage, a capture card can be employed to make the whole process easier and quicker.
What Are Internal and External Capture Cards?
Capture cards can be classified as either internal or external depending on their location. The motherboard of a PC connects an internal capture card directly to the PC and provides feed to the computer in this manner.A computer’s hard drive can be used to store film on external cards, and an SD card or USB drive can be used to stream data to a PC via an SD card or USB drive.
u003cstrongu003eWhich Capture Card Is Easier to Use?u003c/strongu003e
Elgato is much easier for setup and use. And while Elgato is limited when it comes to features, settings, picture quality, and other little things, if you are looking to start streaming your gameplay as soon as possible, Elgato will have you up and running as soon as the setup is over.
u003cstrongu003eWhat Features Are Most Important With Capture Cards?u003c/strongu003e
The most important feature of any capture car is the ability to capture high-quality gameplay footage. But you need to be aware that more is not always better.There is an industry standard, in this case, that is 1080p 60fps when it comes to streams, and the same is true for making gaming content for a youtube channel.Going above that, all you get is diminished returns.
Are Capture Cards Necessary to Stream on PC?
No, capture cards are not necessary for streaming but if you want to take this profession seriously, or if you want to make money doing this, it is strongly advised to get a capture card because it will drastically improve the quality of the footage that you present for people to watch.
