Top positive review
5 people found this helpful
A great option for older computers that lack USB 3.0
By klaberte on Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2020
I have used several of these type of HDMI capture devices. Many here at Amazon have free returns, so I was able to order a few and then do a comparison. This is one of the devices I am keeping. Most computers have HDMI *out*, in order to connect the device to a monitor. However, if you want your computer to capture video, e.g. you want to digitize some videotapes, or you want to capture your game console to record your gaming (either for yourself, or if you want to have your own YouTube channel), then you need an HDMI *in*, which this is. This captures the incoming video, compresses it (without using the computer's CPU), and presents to the computer as a video in device, much like a webcam (although likely much better video quality). From their, your computer can record the video directly to your hard-drive (no worries about running out of space), or stream it via Zoom, Teams, Skype, or other video chat programs. Now, what makes this device unique among its competition, is that it works fine on USB 2.0 ports. Most of its competitors being sold today require USB 3.0. If your computer has USB 3.0, there are lots of choices to consider. But if you have an older computer without USB 3.0, then you probably want this. It can work with USB 2.0 because it converts video to a smaller bitrate, one that can be carried by the slower USB 2.0. I found the quality of recordings made with this device to be very good, certainly "good enough" for most purposes. I have successfully paired it with an older camcorder via its HDMI port, as a much upgraded webcam replacement for video conferences. Even if you have USB 3.0 on your computer, but the price, or delivery time, of other devices makes this attractive, I would recommend you give this consideration. (COVID19 has made devices like this scarce, with widely fluctuating prices to match.) I haven't used this devices other capabilities. I believe that most of the complaints here of the computer-free recording has to do with the quality of the SD card used, but haven't actually tried it myself. Same with the audio features, likely user error. If you are having difficulty with those, make sure you seek tech support before giving up on the hardware. AVerMedia has been in this space for a while, and generally have a good reputation.
Top critical review
Intense lag
By Cloudstar on Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
Purchased this to use a Nintendo switch with a laptop (to play using the laptop’s display). Setup was easy in terms of the cables included in the box. But software was a headache to try and understand. Avermedia has their own software, which has a UI reminiscent of 2003 and is horrribly unintuitive. I tried OBS instead, which has a better UI. Unfortunately the lag is so intense it makes games unplayable. It’s about .5 seconds of lag, which matters a lot. Basically you are setting yourself up to lose with any game you play. It was super frustrating. I got in touch with Avermedia customer service and they basically said it’s not possible to fix the lag. They suggested using an external display + HDMI instead. But in that scenario then why would I use the capture card. The entire point was to use it with a laptop as the display. (Context: I have an LG display that utilizes a USB-C connection, so cannot use it as an external display for the Switch). So for anyone in this same scenario, looking to use it for this purpose, then look elsewhere for a solution. I ended up getting a cheap 21” external display and hooking up directly to the Switch. Annoying, but far better, and more affordable. This product is a waste of money. I wish they were upfront about the lag.
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