Whether you're conducting video calls for working, dialing into family gatherings or making a career out of web streaming, you need a high-quality webcam and chances are that the one in your laptop won't cut it. Since the pandemic made remote work even more common, the market for external webcams has exploded, because we all want to look our best.
If you're on a budget, you can get one of the best webcams with a 1080p resolution for less than $70. But you can kick your cam game up a notch with models that have superior low-light performance, wide fields of view, 2K or even 4K resolution.
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The Logitech C920s Pro is the latest iteration of the classic Logitech C920, which originally launched in 2013. (The only difference between the original C920 and the C920s Pro is that the latter comes with an optional flip-up privacy cover.) Despite being almost 10 years old, the Logitech C920s Pro is a solid, consistent webcam that captures video at 1080p/30fps and has a 78-degree field of view.
The StreamCam is a special contender on our list in that it supports all resolutions from 240p to 1080p, and is able to stream or record each at any frame rate from 5 to 60. Though most will, of course, want to use the highest setting of 1080 60 fps, this lets those with low bandwidth customize their usage to their liking.
It also comes with a built-in omnidirectional microphone, complete with a small noise filter, as well as a white indicator LED, a standard tripod mount (in addition to a monitor mount), auto-focus and exposure, USB-C connectivity, and streaming software for fine-tuning filtering and other capture details. Those who prefer vertical video can also remove the camera from its mount and physically rotate it to shoot with full HD 9:16 video.
This camera produced bright footage with accurate colors when we reviewed it, in part thanks to its ability to capture at 1440p. If you prefer to shoot at 1080p, you can also capture footage at 60 fps with this device, which will be useful for game streamers. HDR is another feature here, and in a nice touch, this camera comes with a tripod and can also rotate 360 degrees. Its tilt is a bit more limited, ranging from 180 degrees when pointing down to 30 degrees when pointing up.
OBS and other third-party capture and streaming software are great, but there are limitations, let's say you want to stream gameplay from a game console or use an HDMI camera instead of a webcam; the easiest way to get them to work your PC without an external or internal capture card.\n\nWith software like OBS, you are entirely reliant on your system resources, such as your CPU or GPU, when it comes to capturing video inputs. That can be a drain if you're capturing at a high bit rate and trying to play a game simultaneously. Modern CPUs have gotten good at the necessary multi-tasking, but a dedicated capture card can help lighten the load.
We recommend most people focus on a 1080p target resolution and at least 30fps with any potential capture card purchase. 60fps is great if your PC can handle the extra load, but play it safe if you're starting out. There are good 4K capture cards out there, but they're also expensive, and those files' storage needs are harsh. Plus, the bandwidth requirements often mean 4K is not worth the hassle for most streamers.
Elgato's latest capture card, the HD60 X, aims to make streaming and recording a little more amenable to gamers with a modern, half-decent gaming monitor. With the option of 4K passthrough, there's a little more this device can offer gamers with high pixel count screens. Though it's also pretty handy if you use G-Sync of FreeSync technologies, which also receive timely support on the new HD60 X.As with any capture card the speeds and feeds can be a lot to chew through. So let's break it down to basics for this $200 (opens in new tab)/190 (opens in new tab) option. With the HD60 X you're essentially looking at three key capture resolutions: 4K at 30fps, 1440p at 60fps, and 1080p at 60fps. Then for your passthrough resolution it's possible to run up 4K at 60fps or 1440p at 120fps, and there's support for Variable Refresh Rate technologies (VRR), such as G-Sync and FreeSync, and HDR (only on Windows).
To save bandwidth on the HD60 X, it offers 4:2:0 by default. Corsair tells me 4:2:2 is available via non-default codecs and will work at 1080p at 60fps or 1440p at 30fps, but don't expect that out of the box.
Ultimately, a PCIe add-in capture card tends to get you more bang for your buck at 4K, and comes with heaps of benefits in other ways to make up for its lack of portability. So the flexibility of how you wish to set up your streaming setup is something to weigh up before hitting purchase on an external unit like this HD60 X.As a user of the original Elgato Game Capture HD and then the HD60 S, I'll admit the HD60X doesn't feel like a revelatory new product. I'm yet to find any external capture card that makes capturing gameplay as much of a doddle as I'd like to think it to be. That said, there are some things I probably couldn't go without now that I have used the HD60 X. Adroit 1080p at 60fps recording, yes, though more so the low latency passthrough, VRR, and HDR support. All of which makes it so I don't have to sacrifice my own gaming experience to record it for others.
The XR1 records and streams at 1080p/60fps and supports advanced Pass-Through of 1440p/120fps and 4K/60fps signals. This means the XR1 will take those native signals and spit them out at 1080p/60fps for your stream without needing to change any of your display settings while you game. The capture does a good job, although we did notice the colors were a little washed out; nothing a little tweaking in OBS couldn't handle, though.
OBS and other third-party capture and streaming software are great, but there are limitations, let's say you want to stream gameplay from a game console or use an HDMI camera instead of a webcam; the easiest way to get them to work your PC without an external or internal capture card.With software like OBS, you are entirely reliant on your system resources, such as your CPU or GPU, when it comes to capturing video inputs. That can be a drain if you're capturing at a high bit rate and trying to play a game simultaneously. Modern CPUs have gotten good at the necessary multi-tasking, but a dedicated capture card can help lighten the load.
The NetVIDxs Network>SDI decoder is a member of the ITS complete line of network video JPEGxs products; NetVIDxs. The NetVIDxs Decoder (NVD1000) receives an Ethernet real-time protocol (RTP) data stream via 100/1000 RJ45 LAN input or an SPF 10G fiber input. The NVD1000 will decode 1 4K video stream at 30 or 60 fps (12G), four 1080p video streams at 30 or 60 fps (3G), four 720p/60 video streams, or a 720/1080 high-speed video stream frame rates up to 240 fps. The nature of the output is determined by the configuration and video inputs of the companion NVE1000. The NVD1000 recreates and outputs the SDI signals received by the encoder including restoration of the Microsecond Timestamps, AES audio packets, payload packets, and SMPTE 291M KLV packets located in the HANC and VANC space of each frame. These packets of data are restored to the frames in which they originated.
We've rounded up all the latest and most coveted capture cards, although, one of the most popular brands in the content creator scene is Elgato. Through the original Game Capture HD, through to the likes of the HD60 S and HD60 X, Elgato has proven to be one of the go-to brands for streaming and video game content creation. That's not to count out the likes of AverMedia, who has been involved in the scene for arguably just as long. Razer and EVGA are viable brands, too.
Without one of the best capture cards, your ambitions for a live streaming career won't get far. Whether you're interested in Twitch streams, or making videos for YouTube, a good capture card is one of the most essential pieces of kit you'll need. The best options we can recommend will offer you superior capture quality, video storage, and versatile software that makes the whole creative process easier for you.
For PC gamers, one of the best capture cards may not be as necessary, but will really take the strain off of hardware components. On a console, capture cards will give you a wider array of features and recording options than on-board console software will. In 2023, some of the best capture cards on the market can natively record in 4K, at 60fps. While passthrough in this resolution and frame rate has been available for several years now, we're now seeing capture devices that can keep up with the visuals of the Xbox Series X and PS5, even with HDR support. Just keep in mind that Twitch still doesn't allow for streams in 4K, so this is only really a bonus for making videos.
If you're new to the world of video game content creation, it might be helpful to check out how to get started. Annoyingly, there's a lot to think about, and our streaming for gamers guide has everything you need to know. That guide covers it all - from budget kit to the best ring lights, webcams, and microphones. For now, let's tell you about some of the best capture cards on the market.
Chances are, you're not going to find a true 4K capture card for as low of a price as the Razer Ripsaw HD, a capture card that does 4K passthrough while streaming games in 1080p. Whether you have a PS4 Pro, an Xbox One X, or you plan on buying the inevitable 4K Nintendo Switch refresh upon its release, the Razer Ripsaw HD just might scratch that high-res streaming itch. Not only that, but this capture card eliminates the hurdle of software-based audio mixing. You can mix audio, "hassle free," using the hardwired mic and headphone jacks.
Similar to models made by Elgato and Avermedia before it, the EVGA XR1 is an ultra-portable capture card that records footage in up to 1080p60 with a myriad of passthrough options supporting up to 4K60 or 1440p 120 FPS. 2ff7e9595c
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