Do I need a capture card?

Overview

If you’re reading this, you might be wondering if you need a capture card for PC, OBS studio, streaming or maybe even gaming. Whatever the case may be, we’re going to help you figure out if a capture card is necessary for you. 

What is a capture card and do I need one?

A capture card is a device designed to convert a video signal to USB for storing, editing, and/or streaming from a computer. Capture cards typically support HDMI or SDI signals but are also made for various other formats. If your camera or video device doesn’t have a USB video output, then you definitely need a capture card. 

How to use a capture card?

If you’re not sure how to use a capture card, understating what each port is for will clear things up. A capture card has a side to connect your input and a side for your output. The input ports are for the device that has your original content. The output ports are for the devices you want to send your original content to. For example, if you want to connect an HDMI source to your laptop for streaming or monitoring, a compatible capture card will convert your HDMI signal to a USB signal, so it can be plugged into your laptop. 

Different types of capture devices 

There are a variety of capture devices available, including but not limited to:  HDMI to USB-C, HDMI to IP, SDI to IP, HDMI to USB 3.0, and SDI to USB 3.0. After seeing this list, you might be wondering what the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is; and wondering why USB 3.0 seems to be the norm. It basically comes down to speed. USB 2.0 can transfer video data at a rate of 480mbps, while USB 3.0 can transfer video data at a rate of 4,800 mbps. When transferring large amounts of data, such as video data, your transfer rate is very important. 

Overall, if you need to convert a video signal to IP or USB, you probably need a capture card. To learn about BZBGEAR’s capture cards, visit: bzbgear.com.