Capture card master list (Retro focused)
Updated: Oct 23, 2022
Exploring Retro Gaming Capture Cards: A Comprehensive Overview
What is this list?
- Compilation of consumer capture cards compatible with retro games.
- Emphasis on cards that support analog input alongside HDMI.
- Encouraging reader input to enhance compatibility and provide additional details.
What does it cover?
- Effort to include a wide range of capture cards in the list.
- Acknowledging the existence of numerous clones, replicas, and rebranded versions.
- Focus on including the base card names for better clarity and understanding.
The focus is on you!
- Seeking reader experiences and notes to improve the list’s accuracy.
- Inviting individuals with knowledge of compatibility and other important details to collaborate.
- Emphasizing the importance of reader engagement to create a comprehensive resource.
The list aims to encompass the majority of consumer capture cards suitable for retro gaming, whether they utilize HDMI or analog connections. While analog options are available, the focus remains on providing an extensive selection that caters to various needs and preferences.
To ensure accuracy and completeness, the list welcomes reader contributions. If you possess experience or valuable notes about specific capture cards, please reach out to provide essential details. By working together, we can enhance the resource and make it more informative for retro gaming enthusiasts.
In conclusion, this compilation aims to offer a comprehensive overview of retro gaming capture cards, including both HDMI-based and analog options. It emphasizes reader participation in enhancing compatibility information and expanding the available details. Let’s collaborate to create an invaluable resource for individuals seeking the most suitable capture card for their retro gaming endeavors.
*ALL USER SUBMITTED CARDS ARE BELOW THE FIRST TWO LISTS*
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Capture Card
Internal or External (In/Ex)
Input details
Notes - Notes-Compatibility
Links - Sellers
Asus TUF CU4K30
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480p - lowest res)
I think discontinued
AverMedia Live Gamer 4K
In
Current (HDMI, 480p - lowest res)
AverMedia Live Gamer Bolt
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480p - lowest res)
AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480p - lowest res)
Avermedia Live Portable
In
Retro and current (HDMI, AV 480i lowest res)
Replaced by Portable plus 2
Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro 4K
In
Retro and Current (DVI, HDMI) SD Video Standards 525i 59.94 NTSC, 625i 50 PAL
Datapath VisionRGB-E1S
In
Retro and Current (DVI*)
Hard to find - These look awesome
DIGITNOW USB 2.0 Video Capture Card
Ex
Retro (Composite and S-video)
Easycap
Ex
Retro (Composite and S-video)
WTF:
A TON of knockoff, off brands and wierd cards. I used a card that would flash when changing menu screens in Goldeneye, but the gameplay was proof worthy.
Elgato 4K60 S+
In
Current (HDMI)
Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
In
Current (HDMI)
Elgato Game Capture HD
Ex
Retro and current (S-Video and HDMI)
Works very well for PS2, but bloatware needed. For PS3 you will need the special cable OR a splitter that will go around HDCP. The link below has a splitter that works confirmed by WTF: HDMI Splitter - Amazon
This does also work for N64, however it's not the eaiest to use as lots of tech issues.
Elgato Game Capture HD60 Pro
In
Current (HDMI, 480p - lowest res)
Elgato Game Capture HD60S
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480p)
Epiphan dvi2usb 3.0
Ex
Retro and Current (DVI*)
Hard to find, a lot of US sellers
Epiphan Systems Inc. AV.io 4K
Ex
Current and retro (HDMI, however supports tons of formats)
EVGA XR1
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480p - lowest res)
Genki Shadowcast
Ex
Current (HDMI)
Hauppauge - HD PVR 2 Gaming Edition
Ex
Current (HDMI, PS3 AV in, up to 1080i)
I o Data GV-USB2
Ex
Retro (Composite and S-video)
WTF:
Great capture card for the N64 and sure works well on other retro consoles.
I will say however, DO NOT LEAVE THIS PLUGGED INTO USB FOR LONG PERIODS.
Users have reported the sound starting to go and in other cases the video also starting to lose quality over time. It suspected that as the device is USB2 in mostly used USB3 slots, the interatration between these slots, old drivers on new hardware is cause power fluctuations in the device.
IPXOZO 4K HDMI Video Capture Card
Ex
Current (HDMI)
Magewell Pro Capture Quad HDMI
In
Current (HDMI)
Micomsoft SC-512N1-L/DVI
In
Retro (Dvi S-video)
(DISCONTINUED*)
Mirabox USB3.0 4K HDMI Video Capture Card
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480i - lowest res)
MYPIN HDMI Capture card (USB 3.0)
Ex
Current (HDMI)
(DISCONTINUED*)
Razer Ripsaw HD
Ex
Current (HDMI, 480p)
Alex M:
Also it was quiet. just check if it's just not quiet compared to not working Boost it up in obs when you're testing/troubleshooting audio
Startech Composite & S-Video to USB 2.0 Video Capture Cable
Ex
Retro (Composite and S-video)
WTF:
Whiteted uses this capture card.
Startech PCI-E 1080p/60fps, no HDMI Pass-thru
Ex
Retro and Current (DVI, S-Video)
Capture Card
Internal/External (In/Ex)
Input Details
Notes - Compatibility
Links - Sellers
Startech USB 3.0, no HDMI Pass-thru
In
Retro and Current (DVI, S-Video and HDMI)
Taktoppy Video HDMI Capture Card
Ex
Current (HDMI)
XCAPTURE 1
Ex
Retro and Current (DVI, S-Video, VGA, HDMI, RCA)
VGB August 100/300/350
Ex
Retro (Composite and S-video)
- N64 NTSC/PAL
VGB August 500
Ex
Current (HDMI)
NOWBOTUCH (Generic card)
Ex
Game capture card support max resolution 1080p/60fps for USB3.0 output, 4k/60hz for hdmi input and output,
Notes from Griffin:
I think it might drop the last line of pixels if you have simulated scan lines, but otherwise it is near enough to perfect No lag that I can see on 1080p signals It presents itself to the computer as a USB webcamIt also allows you to mix sound into/out of the signal with the 3.5mm jacks, which comes in handy for listening to just game audio
I ran game audio to the speakers and into discord, and discord to my headset. Rather, it outputs just game audio on the 3.5mm out (to speakers in my case), and it mixes the 3.5mm in into game audio before sending it over USB into the PC (I used it to mix my mic into the stream, so that my computer only sees one sound device). It is almost all of a stream setup in a box
AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra GC553
Ex
Current (HDMI, 4k to 480p 120hz