EVGA Xr1 Capture Device, Certified For Obs, Usb 3.0, 4K Pass Through, Argb, Audio Mixer

Product Information

The Elgato 4K60 S+ is the capture card of the future... that we aren’t quite ready for yet. It provides some of the best-looking screenshots and videos around, assuming you have the hardware that can handle your high-quality media. Still, the capture market is yet to catch up to the fidelity the 4K60 S+ can deliver. Best capture card FAQ Why do I need a capture card if I just use OBS? With the hardware encoder, you can get by with a less powerful computer. AverMedia recommends a third-gen Intel Core i5 with a GTX 650 or better and 4GB of RAM on Windows, and a quad-core i5 with a GT 750M or better on Mac. It’s important to note that the system requirements are for streaming. If you’re just recording gameplay, you can use almost any Windows computer. That doesn’t mean it needs to cost you a lot of money. The Switch isn’t very powerful, so you don’t need to worry too much about resolution and frame rate like you do with PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Even our cheapest recommendation, the AverMedia Live Gamer Mini, provides enough power for the Switch’s resolution and frame rate. It's also worth noting that when the XR1 first launched there were reports of setting up in OBS being a convoluted process that involved separate audio sources that needed to be added. In the months since I don't know if EVGA changed something or OBS did, but that's not an issue. Hooking up is the same as any other capture card, with the audio coming along with the video feed.

Though only a few of these 4K cards are standalone units, most being PCIe add-in when you get down to near the price of the HD60 X. Some of the flexibility is removed when you ditch the external connection from your capture card: Not only will you have to make space inside your PC, but you're removing the ability to run your stream or recording off a laptop close-by. You also lose the option to easily travel around with your capture card, though let's be honest I can't imagine that's of massive importance for many.

Awards of the EVGA XR1 Pro Capture Card, 1440p/4K HDR Capture/Pass Through, Certified for OBS, USB 3.1, ARGB, Audio Mixer (144-U1-CB21-LR)

There's also the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra, a capture card that doesn't hide behind misleading marketing when it comes to its pass-through capabilities. As an added bonus, the Live Gamer Ultra can capture in 4K as well as pass the video through, and it isn't a million miles away from the XR1 on price.

As much as not having HDR or VRR support is a letdown, the Signal HD60 is a reliable capture card, which is more important than anything else. Turn your console on and boot up your streaming software, and you should see your capture card as a video source. Add it, plus a webcam or any other elements you want on your stream, and you’re all set. Is it worth it to buy a capture card for the Nintendo Switch?

Specs

Beginning with the original XR1 (the subject of this review), this USB 3.0 device is capable of 1080/60 capture, 4K/60 passthrough, and, of some interest, an “advanced pass through mode” supporting high refresh rate displays.

The USB-C cable connects the XR1 to your computer, which is great for laptops with limited connectivity. EVGA doesn’t list any strict system requirements, but it should work fine on most PCs from the last few years (a dedicated graphics card is best). Whether you're going to use the audio features is another matter, but you're well catered for if you want it.

Features

EVGA touts the XR1 as the first "OBS Certified" capture device on the market for extra compatibility peace of mind, though we have not personally experienced any issues with other cards in OBS. The passthrough functionality of the HD60 X is, however, fully capable of running at 4:4:4, or in other words, uncompressed. So while your recording may lose some of that information, you don't have to suffer through a low picture quality while you're recording. Of course, it’s not without sacrifice. If you want to be able to record in 4K or higher than 60 fps this quite simply isn’t the device. What you get with AVerMedia’s Live Gamer Duo is a single one-time set-up unit that’s largely plug and play. It has especially made streaming easier by having a setup that simply works, and one which I can mostly leave in place. For anyone looking to include multiple sources for minimal hassle, AVerMedia’s Live Gamer Duo is a really smart choice that lives up to all its promises. The EVGA XR1 Capture Device allows you to share the world and stream with 4K Pass Through Mode – Record at 1080P/60FPS while you game at 4K/60FPS. Also features an Advanced Pass Through Mode that allows you to switch to 144Hz refresh rate + HDR with the press of a button. No need to disconnect or disable to get the full capabilities of your display!”