And if you’re streaming on platforms that don’t have 4K yet (all of them except YouTube), then you can stream in 1080p at 240 fps - not too bad. The AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K is one of the most affordable capture cards that allows you to capture footage in 4K.
Look for cards that come with user-friendly, robust software that’s packed with tons of features like adding overlays or incorporating your webcam.
These options work well for beginners, but they have limitations - your PC might not be powerful enough for screencasting, and your console may not let your streaming session last for very long.Ĭapture cards give you more control over the quality of your live stream. If you want to stream gameplay from a console to Twitch or another streaming platform, do you absolutely need a video capture card? No, you can use screencasting software or steam from the Twitch app on your console.
Capture cards are also good for getting gameplay footage that you can edit into a VOD for later. Gamers use capture cards to connect their consoles to PCs or capture footage on their PCs, so they can broadcast their gameplay live on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
? What is a capture card and why do you need it?Ī capture card is a device that lets you capture footage from a wide range of sources, specifically PCs and gaming consoles. If you want to grow your channel and reach more viewers, then a video capture card should be part of your live streaming setup. Using a capture card lets you produce a more professional stream and gives you more control over the video.
If you want to stream gameplay online or just capture footage and post the video later, you might need a capture card. Thanks to Twitch, YouTube, and other live streaming platforms, broadcasting video games has become a popular online activity.