While many modern consoles and PCs have built-in software to capture gameplay footage and screenshots, having a capture card is a much better method as they can record with higher video quality without causing in-game lag.
One of the best capture cards we've ever found for gaming is the Elgato 4K S, which is currently having its $159.99 MSRP chopped by a modest 17% discount for $134.99 at Best Buy.
Why is Elgato 4K S our top pick for the best gaming capture device?
Jez Corden, one of our highly-regarded tech experts who's been using Elgato capture cards for years, gave the Elgato 4K S a perfect review with 5/5 stars, stating that, "The Elgato 4K S is the best capture card for anyone looking to record or stream gameplay from a video game console. The new software is far more streamlined than it was previously, and the captured footage is corruption-free and crisp every time."
It features a sleek design, it's easy to use and install, and its bundled Elgato Studio software app is very intuitive and responsive for editing and storing footage.
Of course, the biggest draw of the Elgato 4K S is its video recording capabilities. This little beauty can record gameplay footage flawlessly with 4K resolutions at 60fps, 1440p at 120fps, or 1080p at 120fps without any corruption or artifacting.
On top of that, the Elgato 4K S features full HDR10 and VRR pass-through to prevent your recorded footage from getting any screen-tearing while games are running in "balanced" graphics modes.
The only drawbacks of this device are that it doesn't allow PC microphones to record your voice onto the footage directly unless you use its 3.5mm port, and that it's so lightweight that it's extremely prone to accidentally sliding off a table easily and being damaged.
If you can ignore those issues, this is one of the best Xbox accessories you can have for recording gameplay footage for reviews or showing off your most epic boss kills in games like Elden Ring or Monster Hunter.
The Elgato 4K S is now available with a 17% early Black Friday Discount for $134.99 at Best Buy or $134.99 at Amazon if the first option runs out of stock.
FAQ
What are the mininum PC spec requirements for the Elgato 4K S?
To get this capture working on your PC, it must have the following minimum requirements: Windows 11 (64-bit) OS, an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU or an equivalent AMD Ryzen, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 10xx GPU, 8GB of RAM or higher, and a USB-C 3.0 port.
What devices is it compatible with?
It is compatible with Windows PC and laptops, maxOS laptops and computers, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iPhones, iPads, Steam Deck, Samsung Galaxy phones, and Google Pixel phones.
Is it possible to record from multiple consoles at once using a HDMI splitter?
No, it isn't, as the Elgato 4K S only has one HDMI input port to work with. While an HDMI splitter can let you switch sources, the capture card will only be able to record footage and screenshots from one console at a time.
Can it record footage without being hooked up to a PC?
No, it can't. It requires being connected to a PC or an iPad in order to record footage from consoles, as it doesn't feature standalone tech to record footage onto an SD card.
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