External Capture

Professional external video Capture Devices - Avacab

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External Capture Cards: Portability and Power for High-Quality Video

External capture cards are essential devices for audiovisual professionals and enthusiasts looking to record, stream, or edit high-quality video content. Unlike internal cards, they offer portability and compatibility with a wide range of equipment, from laptops to video game consoles.

Here, we detail what they are, their applications, and the key parameters for choosing the right one:

What Are External Capture Cards?

An external capture card is a hardware device that connects to your computer (generally via USB or Thunderbolt) and allows you to capture video and audio signals from external sources. These sources can be video game consoles, video cameras, Blu-ray players, etc. The card converts the analog or digital signal from the source into a format your computer can understand, process, and store. Essentially, they act as a bridge between your source device and your editing or streaming software.

Applications of External Capture Cards

External capture cards have a wide variety of applications, making them versatile tools for different user profiles:

  • Live Streaming: They are indispensable for video game streamers who want to broadcast their gameplay on platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, or Facebook Gaming with high quality. They capture the console signal and send it to the PC streaming software.
  • Content Creation for YouTube/Vloggers: Content creators use these cards to record high-quality footage from their DSLR/Mirrorless cameras, camcorders, or even to capture the screen of other devices for tutorials or reviews.
  • Professional Video Editing: They allow you to import video material from external cameras or recorders directly into editing software (like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro) with maximum fidelity, without relying on the camera's internal compression.
  • Digitization of Old Material: For those looking to preserve memories, capture cards are ideal for digitizing VHS, MiniDV tapes, or other analog formats into digital files.
  • Conferences and Presentations: In professional settings, they can be used to capture the video output of cameras at events, conferences, or presentations, facilitating real-time recording or transmission.
  • Education and Tutorials: Teachers and trainers can use these cards to record interactive lessons or demonstrations, capturing the output of external devices.

Key Parameters for Choosing Your External Capture Card

Choosing the right external capture card will largely depend on your specific needs and intended use. Here are the most important parameters to consider:
   

Connection Type to the Computer
  • USB 3.0/3.1/3.2: This is the most common and versatile connection. It offers enough bandwidth for most capture needs and is compatible with most computers.
  • Thunderbolt (3/4): Offers significantly higher bandwidth than USB, which is ideal for very high resolutions and frame rates (e.g., 4K at 60fps or more) and for professional users requiring ultra-low latency. It is more common on Macs and some high-end PCs.
      
Supported Video Inputs
  • SDI (SD/HD/3G/6G/12G-SDI): A professional standard for long-distance video transmission and studio environments. Essential for broadcast cameras and equipment.
  • HDMI: The most common input for consoles, modern cameras, Blu-ray players, etc. Ensure the card supports the HDMI version you need (e.g., HDMI 2.0 for 4K).
  • DisplayPort: Less common on capture cards, but relevant if your video source is a PC with DisplayPort output.
  • Analog Inputs (Component - YPbPr, Composite - RCA, S-Video): Crucial if you need to capture video from old analog sources (VCRs, retro consoles).
       
Resolution and Frame Rate (FPS) Supported
  • 1080p (Full HD) at 30/60fps: Sufficient for most streamers and content creators.
  • 4K (UHD) at 30/60fps: This is the current standard for high-quality content. If your video source is 4K, ensure the card can capture at that resolution and frame rate. Some models can even support 4K at 120fps.
  • Bypass (Passthrough): Allows the incoming video signal to pass through the card to an external display with zero latency. This is crucial for gamers who want to play on their monitor or TV with the lowest possible latency while the card captures the signal. Ensure the passthrough supports the same resolution and frame rate as your screen (and HDR if necessary).
      
Hardware vs. Software Encoding
  • Software Encoding: The card sends unprocessed video data to your CPU, which performs the encoding. Requires a more powerful PC but offers greater codec flexibility.
  • Hardware Encoding: The card has its own dedicated encoding chip. This reduces the load on your computer's CPU and is ideal for less powerful PCs or when you need very efficient encoding.
       
Latency

Latency is the delay between the action in the video source and its appearance on the computer screen. For streaming and gaming, low latency is essential. Cards with passthrough are critical to avoid latency while playing.
  

Audio Support

Ensure the capture card can capture audio along with the video. Some offer additional audio inputs (like line-in or microphone) for mixing audio from different sources.
  

Software Compatibility

Verify that the card is compatible with the capture, editing, or streaming software you plan to use (OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, XSplit, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, etc.).
  

Additional Features
  • HDR (High Dynamic Range): If you are capturing or streaming HDR content, ensure the card supports it.
  • Multiplatform Support: If you work with different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), check compatibility.
  • Power: Some cards are powered directly by the USB port, while others require an external power source.

By carefully considering these parameters, you will be able to select the external capture card from Avacab Audiovisuales that best suits your production needs, whether for gaming, content creation, professional editing, or digitization.

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