Wired via USB-C 3.2 Gen1 to host computer; HDMI passthrough to display (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)
Windows, macOS, iPadOS (via iPad USB-C)
112 x 72 x 19 mm
A capture card is an essential device if you want to stream games from a console (PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), capture footage from a DSLR/mirrorless camera, convert HDMI signals to USB for your computer, or make tutorial videos. It takes an HDMI input signal, processes it, and sends it over USB or Thunderbolt to your computer for streaming or recording.
The capture card market ranges from a few hundred thousand VND to over 10 million — from USB 2.0 1080p30 to Thunderbolt 4K60 HDR. This article will help you understand the specs and choose the right capture card for your needs.
What to Look for in a Capture Card
Four main factors: resolution and frame rate, latency, connectivity (USB/Thunderbolt/PCIe), and special features (HDR, VRR, passthrough).
Resolution and frame rate: The most important factor. You need a capture card that supports the resolution and frame rate you want to stream/record. Streaming 1080p60 (most common) — almost all cards can do it. Streaming 4K60 — needs a high-end card (Elgato 4K60 Pro, AverMedia Live Gamer 4K). Important: distinguish between capture resolution (input) and passthrough resolution (output to TV). A 1080p60 card can capture 1080p but passthrough 4K60 — you still game in 4K on your TV.
Latency: The delay between input and output signal. USB 3.0 cards (Elgato HD60 X) have very low latency (<1 frame). USB 2.0 cards have higher latency. If you game through the preview (no passthrough), low latency is essential. If you have passthrough to a TV/monitor, latency doesn't matter — you play on the TV, not through the preview.
Connectivity: USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 — the common standard for external capture cards, compatible with any computer. Thunderbolt 3/4 — for 4K60 HDR, higher bandwidth, used with MacBooks. PCIe (internal) — lowest latency, highest bandwidth, needs a free PCIe slot. USB 2.0 — only suitable for 1080p30, not recommended.
Key Specifications to Consider
Spec
Description
Recommended Level
Capture Resolution
Maximum recording resolution
1080p60 (minimum), 4K60 (ideal)
Passthrough Resolution
HDMI output resolution bypassing the PC
4K60 HDR (for lag-free gaming)
Frame Rate (FPS)
Frames per second captured
60fps is standard, 120fps for gamers
Connectivity
USB 2.0/3.0/3.1, Thunderbolt, PCIe
USB 3.0 (USB-C) or Thunderbolt
HDR
HDR10/HLG support for capture
Recommended for HDR streaming/content
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
G-Sync/FreeSync passthrough support
Yes (important for PC gamers)
Latency
Delay over USB (through preview)
<1 frame (30-50ms) is good
Microphone Input
3.5mm mic jack on the card (audio mixing)
Nice to have (handy for streaming without a mixer)
Types of Capture Cards
External USB Capture Card — Elgato HD60 X, AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
The most popular type — external via USB 3.0, portable, easy to set up. Connection: console → capture card (HDMI in) → PC (USB) → TV/monitor (HDMI out passthrough). Suitable for streamers, console gamers, and anyone wanting a plug-and-play solution. The Elgato HD60 X (1080p60 capture, 4K60 HDR passthrough) is the number one choice for 1080p streamers.
Installed in a PCIe slot on a desktop PC. High bandwidth, lowest latency, supports 4K60 HDR capture. Requires a desktop PC with a free PCIe slot. Suitable for professional streamers and 4K content creators. Expensive and not portable.
Thunderbolt Capture Card — Elgato Game Capture Neo, Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K+
Uses Thunderbolt 3/4 ports on MacBooks or high-end PCs. Highest bandwidth, suitable for 4K60 HDR. Ideal for MacBook users (MacBooks don't have good USB 3.0 controllers for standard capture cards). The Elgato Game Capture Neo is a popular choice for Mac.
HDMI 2.1 Capture Card — Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2, AverMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1
Supports HDMI 2.1 — 4K120 or 8K60 capture. For PS5/Xbox Series X gamers who want to stream 4K120. Very expensive ($200-400). Only buy if you really need 4K120.
Budget Capture Card — MiraBox, USB 2.0 Cards
USB 2.0 or unbranded chip cards. Cheap ($10-40), low quality, high latency, typically only 1080p30. Prone to interference, dropped frames, signal loss. Not recommended for streaming — only for Zoom calls or basic online teaching.
Pricing Tiers
Tier
Price (VND)
Features
Examples
Basic
300K - 1M
USB 2.0, 1080p30, high latency, no HDR, poor passthrough
MiraBox, cheap USB 2.0 HDMI capture
Mid-range
1 - 3M
USB 3.0, 1080p60 capture, 4K60 passthrough, HDR
Elgato HD60 X, AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2+
Premium
3 - 7M
USB 3.0/PCIe, 4K30/60 capture, HDR, VRR, low latency
Ripsaw — capture cards for streamers, gaming design, built-in mic support
Mid-range - Premium
Comparison with Other Options
Capture Card vs Share Play / Remote Play (PS5, Xbox)
Share Play (PS5) and Remote Play (Xbox) let you stream over the network without a capture card — free. But quality is low (compressed 720p/1080p), latency is high, and it depends on your internet. A capture card delivers original HDMI quality — uncompressed, no network latency. Share Play is only for casual friend streaming, not professional content creation.
Capture Card vs OBS + Game Capture (PC)
If you game on PC, you don't need a capture card — OBS can capture your screen directly (game capture, display capture). A capture card is needed when: (1) you stream from a console, (2) you have a dual-PC streaming setup, (3) you use an external camera (DSLR) as a webcam. Dual-PC setup: the gaming PC sends HDMI through the capture card to the streaming PC — no performance impact on the gaming PC.
USB 3.0 vs Thunderbolt Capture Card
USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) is sufficient for 4K30 HDR or 1080p60. Thunderbolt 3/4 (40 Gbps) handles 4K60 HDR and 4K120. On Windows, USB 3.0 is enough and cheaper. On MacBooks, Thunderbolt is more stable — Mac USB controllers sometimes cause issues with USB capture cards. Check Mac compatibility before buying.
Common Buying Mistakes
Buying a USB 2.0 capture card — USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) doesn't have enough bandwidth for 1080p60. You'll get dropped frames, low quality, and high latency. Always choose USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) for any capture above 720p.
Confusing capture resolution with passthrough resolution — A card may capture 1080p60 but passthrough 4K60 HDR. You game at 4K60 on your TV (passthrough) while streaming/recording at 1080p60. This is a common and perfectly normal setup.
Buying a card without HDR passthrough — If you play HDR games (PS5, Xbox Series X), passthrough without HDR will lose HDR. Choose a card with HDR passthrough (Elgato HD60 X, AverMedia Live Gamer 4K).
Not checking Mac compatibility — Many capture cards only have Windows software. Elgato supports Mac through OBS, but some AverMedia models lack good Mac drivers. If using a Mac, choose Elgato or Magewell.
Buying a card without VRR passthrough for PC gamers — If you game on PC through a capture card, VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) passthrough is critical to avoid screen tearing. USB cards often don't handle VRR well.
Buying a cheap no-name 4K60 card — 4K60 capture requires high bandwidth and complex processing. Cheap cards may not deliver quality, drop frames, or cause errors. Invest in Elgato/AverMedia for 4K capture.
Forgetting about audio support — If you stream from a console, you need a capture card with audio mixing or a mic input. Otherwise, you'll need a separate mixer to combine voice chat and game audio.
Conclusion
A capture card is your gateway to bringing console, camera, or second-PC content into your stream or video. For most users — console streamers (PS5, Switch) — the Elgato HD60 X ($100-140) is the best choice: 1080p60 capture, 4K60 HDR passthrough, USB 3.0, low latency, supports both Windows and Mac.
If you want to stream in 4K and have a larger budget, the Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 ($160-200) or AverMedia Live Gamer 4K ($120-160) are worth considering. If you only need a cheap card for Zoom calls or recording lectures, a basic USB 2.0 card ($10-20) can work in a pinch — but don't expect high quality.