Webcam: Current Price: Resolution: Pros: Cons: Elgato HD60S 1080p 60fps Zero latency for real-time display. Easy to set up. System requirements on the higher side. Elgato HD60 1080p 60fps Create uncompressed master copies of your recordings. USB 2.0 interface creates delay between webcams and in-game footage.
AVerMedia AVerCapture HD 1080p 30fps Produces clear picture quality for a lower price. Only capable of streaming at 30 frames-per-second. Magewell Video Capture 1080p 60fps No extra software needed - super easy to use. Can get hot when using over long periods of time. Elgato upgraded the USB connection for this newest generation of, using a USB 3.0 connection to eliminate the latency issues that cause a delay between your webcam and in-game footage. So the HD60 S is a great option for those looking to include a webcam frame in their stream. The system requirements for the Game Capture HD60 S are a tad on the high side and there is no support for older operating systems like Windows 8.
Also, most users recommend using third party software such as OBS if you’re streaming on a Mac because the functionality of the included Elgato MacOS software isn’t as good as it’s PC counterpart. So, if you’re streaming from an older computer or a Mac, make sure your system meets the requirements of the HD60 S. Even though the AverCapture HD packs a lot of performance for a card at this price, the included software from AverMedia and the drivers aren’t as user-friendly as some of the other cards in this review. The is compatible with the most common third-party broadcasting software like OBS and XSplit, so there are options available if the AverMedia software doesn’t quite suit your taste.
An additional note, for Mac users, OBS or Xsplit is a must, since the included program doesn’t support streaming on Mac, only recording. The has the highest rating on Amazon of any capture card in this post, and more than a few reviewers say, “it just works.” (Sound familiar Apple lovers/haters?) The USB 3.0 also has impressive compatibility, with equal support for PC, Mac, and Linux. Pg music band-in-a-box 22 for mac. For Linux users, this card is the way to go. No other capture card manufacturer offers the seamless Linux compatibility that Magewell does. Likewise for Mac users, the USB 3.0 provides the fullest functionality.
On the flipside, the compatibility, ease-of-use, and reliability of the Magewell 3.0 comes with weighing in as one of the most expensive capture cards marketed to gamers. Also, since this card is truly plug-and-play, there are no customization options within the encoding codec itself. You’ll need to be familiar with OBS, Xsplit, or other third party streaming software if you want to produce a custom stream with the Magewell USB 3.0. Lastly, the USB 3.0 won’t work with a USB 2.0 chipset. Some USB 3.0 capture cards will still function with a USB 2.0 connection, just much slower. The Magewell 3.0 simply doesn’t work if it’s connected to a USB 2.0 connection. For console gamers, this card will require a streaming PC to record and stream live footage.
The primary difference between the more expensive and the less expensive cards is ease-of-use. In terms of specifications and capabilities, the top capture cards are essentially the same. But, a higher price tends to buy a more streamlined user experience. If you’re streaming a lot and would like to use your stream to create some revenue, it might be worth it to shell out a few extra bucks for a higher end card.
For a streamer, time is literally money, so simplifying your setup process could be a legitimate benefit in the long run. So our top pick for the best capture card for streaming is the.