In today’s digital age, it is no longer a novelty to find famous video gamers online who share their games live or famous YouTubers who bring the latest video games to their YouTube channels.

Whether they are professionals or simple enthusiasts, many use video capture cards, both to broadcast live and to share their games. These devices are extremely versatile.

They allow you not only to record and analyze games but also to make backups of the episodes of your favorite series and to improve your own broadcasts, whether they are live or delayed. For this reason, it is essential to choose the right model for your needs.

Right here we have listed the Best Video Capture Devices. These devices can be very great for saving your memories.

RANK NO. 1
Elgato Video Capture - Digitize Video for Mac, PC or iPad (USB 2.0)
  • Transfer video from a VCR or other analog video source to your Mac or PC
  • Put family memories and family videos on your computer
  • Easy-to-use software guides you through every step and turns your analog into digital
  • Captures video in the universal H.264 digital format – ready for iPad, iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, and YouTube
  • World-ready; handles NTSC, SECAM, PAL and PAL/60 video
SaleRANK NO. 2
Rybozen 4K Audio Video Capture Card, USB 3.0 HDMI Video Capture Device, Full HD...
  • 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p for video source and it is ideal for all HDMI devices such as PS4, PS3,...
  • 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply required, true PnP. Once plugged in, the device is identified automatically...
  • 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac OS. High speed USB 3.0 technology and superior low latency...
  • 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no...
  • 【Support Mic-in for Commentary】Kedok capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when...
RANK NO. 3
ClearClick HD Video Capture Box Ultimate - Capture and Stream Video from HDMI,...
  • Capture HD Video (with Audio) Up To 720P/1080P From HDMI Video Sources - Or Live Stream Using PC & OBS (Mac/XSplit Not Supported)
  • [IMPORTANT: Does NOT display, record, live stream, or pass through HDMI video sources that are copyrighted or content-protected....
  • Capture SD Video 720x480 (with Audio) From RCA, VHS, VCR, DVD, Camcorders, Hi8 - Or Live Stream Via USB Using PC & OBS (Windows...
  • No Computer Required - See Your Video On 3.5" Preview LCD - Records Videos In MP4 Format On microSD Card (Up To 128 GB), USB Flash...
  • 1-Year Warranty & Tech Support From ClearClick, a USA-Based Small Business
RANK NO. 4
ClearClick HD Video Capture Box Ultimate (4K Edition) - Record and Stream Video...
  • Capture HD Video Up To 4K30 or 1080P60 (With Audio) At Up To 4K30 Recording Quality (4K60 Not Supported) - Or Live Stream Via USB...
  • IMPORTANT: Does NOT display, record, or live stream HDMI video sources that are copyrighted or content-protected. The device will...
  • Capture SD Video 720x480 (with Audio) From RCA, VHS, VCR, DVD, Camcorders, Hi8 - Or Live Stream Via USB Using PC & OBS (Windows...
  • No Computer Required - See Your Video On 3.5" Preview LCD - Records Videos In MP4 Format On microSD Card, USB Flash Drive, or USB...
  • 1-Year Warranty & Tech Support From ClearClick, a USA-Based Small Business
RANK NO. 5
Dual USB Camera Mixer to USB 3.0 Multi I/O Professional Video and Audio Capture...
  • MAIN FEATURE: Hardware mixer to embed up to 3 video sources (2 USB 2.0 cameras and 1 HDMI capture) to a single USB 3.0/HDMI...
  • VIDEO AND AUDIO SUPPORT: USB 2.0 cameras and HDMI capture. HDMI and/or USB 3.0 output. Line level stereo audio support. Digital...
  • COMPATIBILITY: Plug’n Go. Easy to connect. No software installation and drivers required. Compatible with Windows, Mac OSX, and...
  • 120-240 VAC 50/60Hz to 12V/1.2A DC. International adapters included in the box. Eligible for Inogeni's limited 2-year warranty on...
  • Designed for HyFlex Classroom or videoconference presentation, small conference room and lecture room. Engineered, Professionally...
SaleRANK NO. 6
4K HDMI Video Capture Card, Cam Link Card Game Capture Card Audio Capture...
  • 【4K Upgraded Version High Speed & Full HD】The Audio Capture Card is up to 4K@60HZ High Definition Input,Output max resolution...
  • 【Real-time Preview & Screen Sharing】The Audio Video Capture Card can capture both HDMI video & audio simultaneously and...
  • 【Plug and Play & Easy to Use】As a portable plug and play streaming capture card, it does not need to install any driver and...
  • 【Benifits & Satisfaction Guarantee】The 4k Capture Card makes you have real-time streaming and fun with your friends when you...
  • 【Wide Compatibility】HDMI Video Capture adopted an advanced chip with wide compatibility. It supports most acquisition...
SaleRANK NO. 7
StarTech.com HDMI Video Capture Device - 1080p - 60fps Capture Card - USB Video...
  • STUNNING QUALITY: Using USB 3.0 bandwidth, this HDMI video capture card enables you to record lossless 1080p video at 60fps
  • VERSATILE APPLICATIONS: This HDMI video capture device has H.264 video encoding for wide compatibility-even streaming live video...
  • LEGACY TO LATEST: Using USB 3.0 bandwidth, record up to 1080p at 60fps from virtually any device using this video game recorder...
  • WIDE COMPATIBILITY: This device works specifically with USB 3.0 Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, XP, is DirectShow compatible, and is...
SaleRANK NO. 8
StarTech.com PCIe Video Capture Card - 1080P at 60 FPS - HDMI / VGA / DVI /...
  • Use this dual-profile internal capture card to record 1080p video at 60 frames per second
  • H.264 encoding ensures wide device compatibility with exported video files
  • Compatible with a variety of operating systems / PCIe video capture card / HDMI capture card / HD capture card / PC capture card /...
  • Video input card / PCI express capture card / Capture card / Video capture card / HDMI video capture / HDMI Capture / HD Video...
  • Supports 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio and 2-channel stereo audio (HDMI / RCA)
RANK NO. 9
Mirabox USB3.0 4K HDMI Video Capture Card, 1080P 60FPS HD Game Capture Device...
  • 【4K@30Hz Input and 4K@30Hz Passthrough, 1080p@60fps Capture Card】Loopout resolution up to 1080/60Hz, capture resolution up to...
  • 【Stronger Compatibility】Gaming capture card can be compatible with all 1080P 720P hdmi device such as Wii U, PS4, PS3, Xbox...
  • 【ZERO Latency HDMI Pass-through】There is ZERO latency when you use the hdmi pass-through port, the hdmi pass-through port is...
  • 【Plug and Play, No Need to Install Drivers】Well Suited For Beginners, This game video capture device is stylish, compact and...
  • 【Live Stream Capture Wide Applicability】the HDMI capture card suitable for Online classes , TVMeeting ,Outdoor camera live...
RANK NO. 10
ClearClick Video to USB 1080P USB Audio Video Capture & Live Streaming Device -...
  • [HDMI Capture] Record or Live Stream Audio & Video at up to 1080P from HDMI Sources up to 4K 30 FPS (NOTE: Does NOT Support HDMI...
  • [AV & S-Video Capture] Record or Live Stream from Analog Video Sources Such As VCR, VHS, Camcorders, Video8, Hi8, DVD, Gaming...
  • [USB-C Plug & Play] Modern USB-C Plug and Play Interface (Works with Laptops and Desktops - Full Size USB-A Adapter Included)
  • [Software Included] Video Capture & Live Streaming Software & Step By-Step Instructions Included
  • [Compatible with PC, Mac, & Linux] Works with Windows 11/10/8/7, OS X 10.10 or higher, and Ubuntu 14.04 or higher

Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Video Capture Device

If you are thinking of purchasing a video capture card, you need to consider a number of factors, which are fundamental to making sure that you are making a good investment.

Today there are many models, and not all offer the same performance: for this reason, in this section we will clarify all the doubts that may have arisen.

What Exactly Are Video Capture Devices?

Video capture cards are electronic devices that must be connected to a computer or a console for recording in the highest quality of the video signal using the connection via HDMI cable. Thanks to this device, it is also possible to stream high-quality games.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Capture Devices?

Today’s video capture cards are very easy to use devices, which allow you to broadcast live games without any type of latency and with high-quality videos, even with resolutions in 4K at 60 FPS. Furthermore, it is also possible to process and edit the video before sharing it.

However, these are devices that constitute a fairly high investment; many cards also have an HDMI splitter that allows you to record and share protected content. In any case, it is clear that video capture cards have more advantages than disadvantages

Who Should Buy a Video Capture Card?

If you want to broadcast your games in high quality, video capture cards are a fundamental device, especially as far as consoles are concerned: some of them, in fact, do not allow you to record videos through software, as happens in PCs.

Also, you may be interested in converting your videos from analog format to digital format; Also interesting is the use in security systems, because they allow you to connect several cameras to a single PC.

Finally, video capture cards are a useful tool for sports analysts who want to make an analysis of the evolution of the game while it is still taking place.

What Is the Hdmi Splitter Required by Some Video Capture Cards?

Some digital content is protected by HCDP: this happens with some video games, with the PS3 console and with the Netflix streaming site. Some video capture cards fail to bypass this protection, so they cannot directly record certain content. To solve this problem, HDMI splitters come into play.

An HDMI splitter is nothing more than an electronic interconnection device that allows you to divide the HDMI signal into various identical signals. In this way, you can divert the signal to a computer and record it using the recording software on the video capture card you have. Some manufacturers include the splitter in the card package.

Purchase Criteria

If you are sure to buy a video capture card, you must absolutely consider a series of purchase criteria: in this way, not only will you be able to make a sensible investment in line with your needs, but you will also be able to better distinguish the various models present on the market. Let’s begin!

  1. Using the Video Capture Card
  2. Image Resolution
  3. Need for A (second) Pc
  4. Connectivity
  5. Processing Power
  6. Weight and Size

Using the Video Capture Card

Obviously, the first thing to watch out for when choosing a video capture card is the use it will go for. Likewise, you need to make sure that it is compatible with the PC or console you own. Furthermore, a card to record games will not be the same as one specifically designed to stream high quality.

In this sense, you will not need the same card to see on the computer what you are recording and to transmit live and in high quality directly from your video camera: if you will use the video capture card in a closed-circuit surveillance, you will need a model equipped with various ports of the same type to connect it to various video cameras.

Image Resolution

The technology has reached a point where you cannot buy a video capture card that does not have at least Full HD quality: there are in fact models that even reach 4K resolution.

At the end of the day, this is a standard that is becoming increasingly popular on the market but, obviously, at a slightly higher cost. Furthermore, it is essential to be able to record and transmit with a good update frequency.

At a minimum, it should start at 30 FPS (frames per second), but the ideal would be 60 FPS. In this way, a much smoother image can be obtained. In fact, today there are video capture cards that allow you to transmit both in 4K and at 60 FPS.

Need for A (second) Pc

If you are going to use the video capture card to record content or stream from your personal computer, it is important to know well whether it needs a second computer or not to perform its task.

The advantage of using a second computer is that you don’t have to sacrifice performance and quality when recording. The disadvantages are the fact that you need two PCs and, consequently, even more space in which to place them. If you have limited space in your room,

it may be much more convenient to record using software; in the case instead of a console or a digital camera, in almost every case you may need a computer besides them.

Connectivity

Since video capture cards are intermediary devices, it is important to consider the various connectivity options, both incoming and outgoing. Some cards have a USB 2.0 connection, while others have USB 3.0 or higher: in this way, it is possible to transmit at a higher data transfer speed.

Video capture cards that support high definition connect via the HDMI port, but you can find others that also connect via RCA and VGA. In the same way, it is necessary to consider the audio inputs and the possible presence of a MicroSD or SD card slot to record directly and without the aid of a computer.

Processing Power

The processing power of the capture card is essential not only for recording high-quality images, but also for transmitting live video and carrying out image processing. To evaluate the processing capacity, it is important to consider the processor integrated by the product.

Today, it is possible to find devices equipped with really powerful processors, among which we find the Intel i5, i7 and the like. In the same way, you must also consider the RAM memory that the device is equipped with, both the quantity and the type. At a minimum, it should be DDR3, but even better if it is a DDR4.

Weight and Size

If you need to transport the video capture card with some frequency, it is important to choose a model with a small size and light enough. In this way, it will be easier for you to carry the card, and you will be able to record your games in any place. In addition, you can use it even if you participate in a tournament.

Conclusions

Video capture cards are extremely versatile devices that allow you to stream content on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch. These are very popular devices among video gamers, also because they transmit videos in high definition and, above all, with a really low latency.

Today, there are many models and with various performances: for this reason, it is essential to choose the most suitable for the use you are going to make of it. The resolution offered is also important, preferably Full HD or 4K, and with a good refresh rate. Don’t forget the processing power!

Like this article? Share with your friends!

Read also:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed