AVerMedia 4K HDMI Capture Card for Gaming

I have been testing different capture cards for the Nintendo Switch for a while now & all have been disappointing.
I was very skeptical because this was the only capture card on the market with the ability to record to Micro SD. This was so shockingly easy to set up & use I felt silly for not buying it sooner.
If all you want to do is capture your gameplay, this is PERFECT. I don’t know about streaming, I won’t use it for that. All you do is connect it, plug in your Micro SD card & press the big AveR logo & it records. Press it again to stop recording. It really is that simple.
It records in 1080p, beautiful color & you can also plug in a headset to record your audio.
I wish they made a new version that captured in 4K to get a smoother image, but it’s fine for now.

As an avid gamer, I can confidently say that the AVerMedia GC551G2 Game Capture Card is a reliable companion for next-gen console enthusiasts who want to capture and stream their gameplay effortlessly. The 4K HDR pass-through feature ensures that the visual quality of my games remains stunning, even when I’m recording or streaming at a lower resolution. It’s a game-changer for content creators like me.

One aspect that impressed me the most is the high frame rate (HFR) support. It delivers incredibly smooth and fluid motion during recordings and streams, making the gameplay look incredibly immersive. There’s no jarring or stuttering, even during fast-paced action scenes. It truly elevates the viewing experience for my audience.

Setting up the GC551G2 was a breeze. With its multiple input options, including HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0, connecting it to my Xbox Series X was quick and hassle-free. The user-friendly software provided by AVerMedia made the entire process straightforward, and I was able to start recording and streaming in no time. The software’s compatibility with popular streaming platforms allowed me to effortlessly share my gaming adventures with my audience.

Another great feature of the GC551G2 is its audio mixing capabilities. Being able to balance the game audio and my microphone input right within the capture card itself was a huge convenience. It gave me more control over my streams and recordings, ensuring that my voice was clear and balanced with the game sounds.

What truly sets the AVerMedia GC551G2 apart is its competitive price. It offers excellent value for gamers on a budget who still want a reliable and feature-packed capture card. The performance and features it provides easily rival some of the higher-priced options on the market.

Lastly, I must mention the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support. This feature synchronizes the refresh rate of my captured footage with the frame rate of the game, resulting in tear-free recordings and streams. The smoothness it brings to the table is impressive, enhancing the overall quality of my content.

In conclusion, the AVerMedia GC551G2 Game Capture Card is a dependable choice for next-gen console gamers seeking seamless gameplay recording and streaming. With its impressive 4K HDR pass-through, HFR support, low latency, and versatile features like audio mixing and VRR, it delivers exceptional performance. The user-friendly setup and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for gamers looking to create content without breaking the bank.

With so many capture cards on the market at different price points, I was very happy when I found one that’s the perfect middle ground for new/fresh out the oven streamers that doesn’t break the bank.

With good video quality and a compact size, you really can’t go wrong with this little device. The only thing I would recommend though is before you purchase and set up this product, go onto YouTube and watch some setup videos. There is some software you have to download plus some playing around with the recording equipment to get this to run smoothly but it’s worth every step.

For my rig, I have an older spec pc with windows 10 and I had absolutely no issues once I downloaded the required software. It was also really easy to set up with Streamlabs!

Tldr: The perfect mid ranged budget capture card for those who wish to use their switch or other hdmi devices. Easy set up, user friendly – just make sure you look up how to set up the device on YouTube.

BLUF: This is an excellent device for the money, and a good Swiss-army knife for a consultant or QA team to have around. It comes with all the cables, too, and they’re not bad.

I bought this to record workstation demos for clients; software-only recorders are not reliable under high CPU loads, and this will record independently to a MicroSD card (U3, V30 or better).

I cannot find an English manual for this thing. There is a FAQ, but a proper manual is missing from both the box and the web site. This is important, because there are some “magic button” combos that you will have to figure out by trial and error without it– including some very frustrating things like “headset mute”.

Some information you may find helpful:

YES, it records HD (1920×1080) video at high framerates.

NO, it will not record 4K video.

YES, it will reliably run under power from a normal (500mA) USB-A port. (The manufacturer suggests bringing a USB power bank along if you’re using a laptop, which is actually not a bad idea.)

YES, it really will record totally independently of the host system; all it needs is power and an HDMI connection. There is a big glowing button you whack to start and stop it– that’s it.

YES, it will also work as an OBS Studio device (one video capture device that also brings in audio; you don’t need a separate audio connection).

YES, it will record HDMI audio. However, the levels are a little low.

YES, the headset jack is 4-position (TRRS) 3.5mm, supporting a microphone. If the mic doesn’t seem to work, hold each of the volume buttons down for a few seconds until the mute clears.

YES, you can hear the HDMI audio passthrough in the monitoring headset.

YES, you can hear your own headset mic in the headset. It is, in my opinion, way too loud relative to the HDMI video, so you may want to move the boom out a bit.

YES, there is a mode to use it as a glorified card reader. This was done so that you didn’t need to load and unload cards all the time– I suggest USING IT THAT WAY, and taping over the card slot once the card is installed.

YES, there are some low-latency drivers available; NO, you don’t have to use them. The issue is a little complicated; see the website.

When used as a standalone capture device, the native format is “.MOV”.

The device is physically quite a bit smaller than I expected, and quite light. Build quality is good.

Grab one. I couldn’t find anything else that was even close for twice the price.