So i'm just now starting to learn a bit more about capture cards and I think I'm overthinking some of it.
So something like a PS4 or XB1 would have an HDMI output to send to a TV, but if you get a capture card, it goes there instead. This, presumably, can be viewed on the PC. But wouldn't that introduce a significant amount of latency? Unless somehow you could split the HDMI, sending one to the capture card and one to a TV. But then if you were streaming on Twitch or something, then you wouldn't be able to interact with viewers? It just seems like there are a lot of factors that don't really get talked about. And when someone has a bad experience with a capture card, they leave a comment or review that wards buyers off, but the opposite isn't usually true. So I'm reading reviews from people with bad experiences trying to figure out how to do this and use these cards.
Ultimately, I want to be able to have 2 inputs (even if that means two devices), one for a console or computer, one for a camera. But again, all the problems and horror stories have me worried (and probably overthinking).
Thoughts?
Hmm, I dabbled a little bit with using a capture card instead of direct capture a while back. In my setup, as you mentioned, I had an HDMI switcher, so that I could change between devices. The output of the switcher went to a splitter that sent to the capture card as well as a monitor. A dual-monitor setup would be optimal so that you can peek at the capture program as well as chat.
You're right about latency, I wouldn't try to play off of the captured feed as there was just enough delay to make it uncomfortable. That's why I split to a monitor as well.
In the case of the camera, I would honestly just find a solid USB webcam to use for a facecam/etc, rather than input from a DSLR or the like.
What I've tried:
- Elgato HD60
- Elgato HD60 Pro
- Happauge HD-PVR 2
The Elgato HD60 Pro is the best that I've tried by far. It has almost zero latency, where as the other cards have usually about half a second to a second. It plugs into a PCIe slot on your computer instead of using USB like most other capture devices use. I mainly only use it for recording though, so I couldn't tell you much about streaming on console. I've only streamed on PC and it didn't really last too long. I just don't have the privacy to devote to it.
The downside to any of these devices is your computer also has to be on to play your console (because your PC is what supplies power to the capture card), which isn't a huge deal, but it's kind of annoying when I just want to play some Halo, but I gotta have my PC on too so it creates more heat in the room and uses extra electricity.
The only downside to using PCIe instead of USB is it's not mobile at all, so if you plan on streaming while traveling (although I'd imagine this is a very niche crowd) it would be better to get something that uses USB. Personally I've never felt the need to take my capture card with me anywhere, so it's not an issue for me at all.
Basically, you won't see any latency through your primary screen no matter what card you're using. The only place you will see latency is through the capture software on your PC, but as I mentioned before if you go with the HD60 Pro there is almost no latency.
If there's anything you'd like me to explain better just let me know. I can try to make a video of it too. I'm a very visual person so it's hard to explain with words.
@ucrbuffalo you sound exactly like me. Every single time my son mentions wanting one and then I think about wanting one too I can't figure out if it is going to do all I need. I would want something that works with an Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and hell even an original Xbox and the Wii U if that can happen. Also when I read up on these things I always see the nightmare scenarios and the negatives about them.