Capture Cards

Who can use this feature

Anyone can use this

Supported features: Live Events, Live Stream Requirements

What is a capture card?

A capture card is a hardware device used to capture compatible HDMI video and audio signals that are not HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protected and send them to a software encoder.

Do I need a capture card?

That depends on your production needs. Your desktop or laptop computer will typically not have an HDMI input on them. Only an HDMI output that allows you to connect a secondary monitor to expand your workspace. Capture cards use a USB connection to a computer, so it can take an HDMI source (i.e. a digital camera, video game console, etc.) that has an HDMI output on the device, and send it to your laptop to be encoded by your software (i.e. Open Broadcast Software, vMix, etc.).

Common devices used with capture cards

  • Digital camcorders
  • DSLR cameras
  • Video game consoles
  • Other computers

Types of capture cards

External

The easiest to use, most readily available, portable, and cost efficient of the two, are external cards. Such as the Elgato HD60s+ (also available on Amazon).

How to set up an external capture card

  1. Plug an HDMI cord into the HDMI out on the device that you want to capture
  2. Plug that same HDMI cord into the HDMI in on your capture card
  3. Optional: If you would like to view what is being sent to your capture card, you can plug another HDMI cord into the HDMI out on the capture card, and plug the other end of that cord into a monitor. Which is called “passthrough”
  4. Plug the USB cord on your capture card into an open USB 3 port on your computer. 
    1. USB 3 ports are generally blue. If you don’t see a blue USB port then it's likely that the computer doesn’t have USB 3. Normal USB ports can work depending on what is being captured, but may experience lag or jitteriness as it can’t keep up with the amount of video data being sent through it 
    2. Note: most capture cards do not work properly if plugged into a USB hub. A direct connection from the capture card into a computer is recommended
  5. Check with your specific device manual to see if any software needs to be installed to control it, or to update the capture cards firmware
  6. You can now add your capture card as a “Video Input/Capture Device” into your live stream encoding software as a “source” or “input”

Internal

Internal capture cards can be much more expensive, and require an open PCIe port on the motherboard of the computer. An example of an internal capture card is the Elgato 4k60 Pro, and the DeckLink products.

How to set up an internal capture card

  1. Insert the capture card into an empty PCI-e slot on the computer’s motherboard
  2. Plug the first HDMI cable into the HDMI in port of the capture card
  3. Plug the other end of the first HDMI cable into the HDMI out port of the primary device (Camera, game console, another computer or laptop, etc.)
  4. Plug the second HDMI cable into the HDMI out of the capture card
  5. Plug the other end of the second HDMI cable into the HDMI in port of the primary display (TV or monitor)
  6. Check with your specific device manual to see if any software needs to be installed to control it, or to update the capture cards firmware
  7. You can now add your capture card as a “Video Input/Capture Device” into your live stream encoding software as a “source” or “input”

Most used capture cards

External

Internal

Conclusion

A capture card can be a very handy tool for bringing other elements into your live stream. Find out whether or not a capture card is necessary for your production needs, and which one is most useful for you and your team.

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