BUYING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Choose capture card around your needs
Read the practical answer to a requirement, check the matching model reviews, or combine your own choices in the questionnaire.
Find my match →Start with one requirement
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI
- Source input: SDI
- Source input: Analog video
- Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps
- Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps
- Capture target: 1080p at 240 fps
- Capture target: 1080p at 360 fps
- Capture target: 1440p at 144 fps
- Capture target: 1440p at 240 fps
- Capture target: 4K at 60 fps
- Capture target: 4K at 120 fps
- Capture target: 4K at 144 fps
- Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately)
- Passthrough target: 1440p at up to 144 Hz
- Passthrough target: 1080p at up to 240 Hz
- Passthrough target: 4K at 120 Hz
- Passthrough target: 1440p at 240 Hz
- Passthrough target: 4K at 144 Hz
- Passthrough target: 4K at 240 Hz
- Passthrough target: 8K at 60 Hz
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models
- Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster
- Computer interface: Internal PCIe card
- Host platform: Windows PC
- Host platform: Mac
- Host platform: iPad with USB-C
- Capture software: Elgato Studio
- Capture software: OBS Studio
- Capture software: Elgato Capture for iPadOS
- HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p60 HDR on Windows
- HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p120 HDR on Windows
- HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Source input: SMPTE ST 2110 network video
- Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation)
- Computer interface: ExpressCard/34 laptop slot
- Capture software: AJA Control Room
Combine your requirements
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately)
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at 120 Hz; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at 144 Hz; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1440p at 144 fps; Passthrough target: 1440p at up to 144 Hz; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Host platform: iPad with USB-C; Capture software: Elgato Capture for iPadOS
- Host platform: iPad with USB-C; Capture software: Elgato Studio
- Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Mac
- Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps
- Source input: Analog video; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p60 HDR on Windows
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p120 HDR on Windows
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Analog video; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Analog video; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 144 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at 144 Hz; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 144 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at 144 Hz; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: Analog video; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: Analog video; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Host platform: Mac; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 120 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 120 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at 120 Hz; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately)
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately)
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SMPTE ST 2110 network video; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SMPTE ST 2110 network video; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Computer interface: ExpressCard/34 laptop slot; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: ExpressCard/34 laptop slot; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SDI; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Analog video; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: SMPTE ST 2110 network video
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SMPTE ST 2110 network video; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SMPTE ST 2110 network video; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room; HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p60 HDR on Windows
- Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p60 HDR on Windows
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: AJA Control Room; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: SDI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Mac; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1440p at 144 fps; Passthrough target: 1440p at up to 144 Hz; Computer interface: Internal PCIe card; Host platform: Windows PC
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Analog video; Host platform: Windows PC
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Analog video; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Host platform: Windows PC
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Analog video; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Host platform: Mac; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 120 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — up to 1080p60 HDR on Windows
- Model lifecycle: No — current manufacturer references only; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1080p at 240 fps; Passthrough target: 1080p at up to 240 Hz; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: External USB 3.0 or faster; Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 60 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Mac; Capture software: OBS Studio; HDR capture: Yes — HDR capture at 4K60
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 4K at 120 fps; Passthrough target: 4K at up to 60 Hz (check HDR separately); Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
- Model lifecycle: Yes — include earlier models; Source input: Unencrypted HDMI; Capture target: 1440p at 144 fps; Passthrough target: 1440p at up to 144 Hz; Computer interface: Thunderbolt host connection (check generation); Host platform: Windows PC; Capture software: OBS Studio
Buying guides and setup advice
- Start with the whole capture path
- Capture and passthrough are different promises
- Elgato 4K60 S+: standalone recording, host and limits
- Compare Elgato HD60 S and HD60 S+ by signal path
- Original Elgato Cam Link: check the camera-to-USB path
- Check the host port and capture software
- Read HDR, VRR and high-refresh specifications carefully
- A pre-purchase capture-chain checklist
- Compare capture devices by signal path, not headline number
- Compare AJA Corvid capture boards by signal path and host
- Compare AJA legacy I/O by signal, host and software
- Choose between AJA Corvid 44, 44 BNC and 12G cards
- Choose an AJA mobile I/O capture path
- Elgato Game Capture HD: analog input, 1080p30 and legacy limits
- Elgato Game Capture HD60: HDMI 1080p60 and USB 2.0
- Elgato HD60 Pro: the legacy PCIe path and its limits
- Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro: original board, SDR capture and HDR limits
- Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2: HDR, high refresh and legacy limits