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The generic card can do 720p at 60fps, it's very impressive! This should've been mentioned. It's great for recording gameplay from a console or streaming.
One note for the audio delay, you can adjust that slight delay on your webcam to sync up very easily, and you can fine tune it down to the 100th of a second with ease. That flaw is super easy to overcome if youre using OBS or SLOBS.
Great comparison, I have used the generic card in many scenarios and it has been great for the price. A little adjustment and that audio sync can be fixed easily.
@@KwonFiveNine what type of software are you using? I use OBS and there is a off sync setting for the audio input where you can add a delay to the audio I did a video on it on my channel
Hi, I use a dual laptop setup to stream. I have this capture card however there's no audio from the game or from my mic (SteelSeries Arctis 5). Any advice you can share is highly appreciated. Thanks and more power.
Great video! That generic capture card is pretty impressive for the money. Not sure if I would spend more for the elgato when I really only saw minor differences
It's not minor really. It's because this video is 1080p so you won't see the difference. The difference is night and day when you compare them at 4k or 1440p.
True, and since in my case I just need the DSLR feed for a live stream, I'd very likely not do 4K but 1080p since it's gonna be a crowded place and the bitrate is gonna eat shit. Also the elgato here is about 29 times more costly than the cheap one here.
Thanks! This was really helpful and well explained! While watching the video I was convinced that maybe the Elgato was worth it... then when it came to shopping I just couldn't bring myself to drop that extra £100 for a relatively minor difference. The generic one is so cheap that I think you can always re-upgrade later if you really wanna get super professional with your camera
that was helpful....I bought a $13 capture card and its seems ok.... I wonder how it syncs with an external microphone?......terrible sync on clapping test.
Fantastic! Thank you so much for the review and comparison. Looks like you just helped me save $110. I figured since I have a DSLR I may as well use it for video conferencing instead of the built in laptop webcam, but $130 seemed a bit much to just adapt the HDMI camera output to USB for Zoom/Skype/etc. So glad to know the $20 converter works and is adequate for this application!
I think it will all depend on what you want to do. For a gaming streamer just starting out, I think saving some money is the important pat and it can be upgraded later
This is an amazing video comparison, between all those devices, I found it really clear and useful since I am a musician and as a student or teacher the sound delay is a prior thing while in class or recording at home. You won a subscriber
Thanks for the review. I've been using the Cam Link 4K for 12 months. It's worked great, until now. Now, it's crapping out more often than not. I just doesn't send a signal to my computer. Super frustrating. I think a $130 product should last longer than 12 months.
First time I see a video that addresses the topic of sound and video sync related to quality of equipment used. Your clapping test is simply genius. Thanks a lot for the video, really clarified things for me.
Thank you for this video, I would most definitely pay the extra for a catch-all capture card that I don't have to think about. I always want equipment that can do what I need it to do without limitations. Thanks for the explanation. I need to feed from a camera to a computer AND a large high-resolution monitor at the same time. This helped. Thumbs up and I wish you all the best!
Excellent comparison! I’m looking at these for the first time and, as an example, I would never have thought of the syncing aspect. This is very helpful. I’m late to the party and the video is 2 years old now. I’m going to check your channel to see if you have revisited the subject with other or newer devices.
I was going for the Elgato, but after checking the comparison , and because I don't talk during streams, the cheap one it's truly the best deal. Thank you for the video.
Thank you for the review. I am an artist and just purchased a cheaper video card. I have not gotten it yet, but after your review, I feel it will work nicely for my setup.
Got the £130 CamLink 4K. This field is VERY expensive in the UK. And even MORE back home in Australia…. Thanks for a great vid. Enjoyed it very much. Kudos to the editing.
If you go into the video settings you can change the default colors to be more neutral. By default the color is jacked up way too high, the contrast is too high, and the brightness is too low. Also, it does support 60fps at 720p if that resolution is fine for you. I think the biggest quality issue is the fact that it only supports mjpeg. Although I don't think most people would notice. They're normally watching on their phones anyway.
Man...so glad I finally came across some who brakes it down in the most simplest comprehensive way...THANK YOU! I’m new to this YT grind and trying to get my computer rig set up. 👍🏼
I'm experimenting with that right now. Normally I use a Rode shotgun mic that is connect to my camera and hangs right over my head, but in my most recent video (the Twitch vs RUclips one) I recorded straight from the Elgato mic. Trying to figure out what I like better.
@@ThomasPosen I think the point of this test was to see the difference in how it would look going from camera to cam link to computer with the two products. So, recording straight onto an SD card wouldn't make sense.
I have a generic and think I'm going to upgrade to the Camlink because any time the generic card gets even a slight bump, it freaks out and freezes or stops. Not cool.
In my opinion, if anyone wants 1080p30, then they may go for the generic capture card and in case anyone wants 1080p60, the they may get the camlink 4k
Thanks for the analysis! I've been streaming with that exact generic capture card for a few years, and today it finally bit the dust. I think I'll be upgrading to the Camlink after watching this though.
Thanks for the review! I’ve had the cam link 4k for about 2 years and it just completely stopped working. I bought it before there were cheaper options. It’s been great but I only use it for zooming music lessons and don’t need the high frame rate and extra resolution. I was bummed that it crapped out on me and this video made me feel good about buying the cheap one. Thanks!
Thank you the sound syncing was one area I was really concerned about - and you the only one to have really covered it! For Zoom calls the generic card looks fine but with the odd WebTV appearance I may just spend the extra.
The generic capture card parameters can be adjusted similar to other UVC (USB video) devices. Its contrast, saturation and brightness are off the center. This fixes lots of color issues.
Thanks for making this video! Question - Is your mic plugged into your camera for these tests? Or are youplugged into an audio interface on your computer? And if it's plugged into the camera, could you let us know if there are any issues with audio-visual sync when you use a mic plugged into the computer for streaming audio? Since I'm live-streaming music I'd like to be able to use my Sony camera for video but keep using my audient ID14 for audio.
I bought a cheap USB capture card like the one in the video. Worked fine for awhile and then started freezing on me for no reason. Now it is completely unreliable. I unplug it, plug it back in and still have problems.
@@gerimayawhyte154 Yes i use the card for the video then the mixer for just the audio. It sounds really nice. I use the Yamaha MG10XU but you could look at a behringer mixer i did a few videos about the setup and tests.
Great video - thank you. I did notice the audio delay for the generic card, I thought it was obvious during your claps. It was bad enough that I will opt for the Cam Link. I also figure that I'll have the cam link for a few years and like all tech, I'd rather have something up to date vs. something built on yesterdays tech (USB 2.0). Anyway, my two cents - thanks.
I'm using the cheap one and it looks working fine. The thing is that my image,when I stream, look a little bit out of focus (only when I stream - I think it's not a connection trouble, cause looks great when I'm using my phone). Well, I'll try different settings. But this video is very helpful!
Great video! I just built a pc. Just waiting for it to arrive and I plan on getting a DSLR to upgrade the overall quality of my stream. The generic capture card will work perfect. Glad you were able to show actual footage of what a typical livestream would look like.
Seems like the generic one would also be good as a backup option in case you run into some sort of compatibility issue. It might also be justifiable to send to a co-host or guest.
Hi Brandon, really helpful - many thanks. On another note, really like the simple lighting you have on yourself. Could you share that set up please? Single LED panel? Thanks!
Thanks for this video it was helpful. I lucked out on an Elgato Camlink from work and tried to use it to feed my old Droid phone to use as a field monitor. Unfortunately the Camlink is a USB 3 device so struggled getting enough power from the USB OTG protocol. I bought the generic one as it’s USB 2. Works fine! Dunno if that’s helpful for anyone, but there you go!
Since you're using a Canon DSLR, canon has a program that you can use it as a webcam just by using the video out port on the side to usb cord straight into the computer. I'd love to see how it does compares to using a capture card vs the canon beta program. It's called Canon webcam utility.
A major difference right now is that you can actually buy the generic capture device, and have it in 2 days. Good luck doing that, with the CamLink. And it's very unlikely you can get the Camlink at the list price, high as that is, for now. As to performance, the cheap device adds just a tiny bit of lag, nothing you can't fix in OBS. The color comparison is a matter of taste, but can be adjusted in either the camera or the capture program. The real difference in performance is that the CamLink seems to work with any app you throw at it, while the cheap one will vary by which program you use it with. The good news is, it's great with OBS, also with Zoom. Discord is a big problem, I found, and it's not great with Microsoft Teams or WebEx, but...not everyone will care about that. Good demo, thanks.
@@TechAuditTV Interesting news, thanks for sharing. I asked 2 major sellers to automatically notify me when it's in stock, and neither has emailed me yet.
@@ukmrleo3245 Agreed! Unless you need to use an app where the cheap one doesn't work: It doesn't seem to work at all in the web version of Discord, for one example, while in the Discord desktop app it works but is laggy compared to webcams. But most people are probably using OBS or Zoom, where it's fine.
Amazing video bro! Man Ive been trying to decide for the best hour and so thankful I came across your video. My camera is a Canon SX740 , small pocket camera I use for vlogging , but I am also on zoom alot. Since my camera is very clear and shoots in 4k I figured I would get the elgato cam link 4k , but the price through me off. Once you mentioned constant uploads for RUclips , looks like I have to pull the trigger on this one... thanks bro!
Thank you for this review. I noticed that the quality of this video was better than the sample video, even with the CamLink card, so I assume that for these videos you are recording directly to your camera. If so, are you feeding your mic into your camera or are you recording the audio separately and then syncing in post? Thanks!
This put into words what I've been trying to find an answer to. As I got my hands on a cheap capture card since it couldn't be worse than the 572p I got with canon webcam utility. But I still felt like it wasn't sharp enough, even tho I could see that the focus was super sharp but with some pixelated noise of colours in it. And I see this in here too in this comparison.
great video! You answered my question of "does it matter?" I'm a drum instructor and have upgraded my set up this last year to do more zoom lessons. I've had this handycam to record with but couldn't integrate into my streaming set up. If I only continue to do zoom lessons then the cheap one makes sense. When you mentioned recording directly into my computer and bypassing the SD card, that caught my attention. I use a webcam, iPhone, and integrated camera currently and have to sync everything in post. I think I'll get the elgato to future proof my workflow. Even if it takes me another year to figure it all out! The motion blur and audio syncing is subtle but just enough for me to notice when I'm demonstrating techniques. Thanks for the demo.
Excelent review! The delay video/audio with the cheaper one is pretty noticeable. Unfortunately I just ordered the cheaper one. So will see if this suits for "moving pictures" on a stream or I have got to upgrade ...
good comparison, elgato clearly superior. what were your video settings on the camera for test shots? 60fps, 30fps? i normally shoot my video at 24fps and i wonder if some of the sync and motion blur qualities were affected by your cameras video settings (?)
I'm happy that this is a decent option because I have a really good capture card that I've used for console games that I can easily use for my camera whenever I'm doing PC gaming but... yeah definitely need a backup for if I want to continue to use the camera while also playing console games
I have the CamLink 4K, I would want to get the capture card that I know will work for all scenarios & not have to compromise or have to repurchase the upgraded model later because it wasn't meeting my needs. This is why I would by the CamLink vs. a generic model it could end up being cheaper in the long run.
I am making Animal Crossing Videos. I am considering using a cheaper one because I am still a beginner to RUclips. I chose 3, and I was wondering if you knew anything about these: GOODAN Video Capture Card, IPXOZO USB 3.0, LYLEE Video Capture Card. Let me know if you do! Thanks!
Other generic video capture cards use USB 3 instead of USB 2. In your opinion, are they more likely to produce a better clap test result than you achieved with your USB 2 version?
The Cam Link 4K just doesn't work for a lot of people. I think it may pushing the bandwidth of the usb standard or is just drawing too much power. I couldn't get mine to work reliable and many other's are having the same problem. Sending this one back.
Can you use both these capture cards for capturing console content? Meaning, can I connect my switch or Ps5/4 to these capture cards for the same quality?
Thank you for the info, I’m an artist and the webcam I bought is hopeless at picking up fine details so using my current cameras with a link will hopefully make it better.
I'd be curious to find out if the more expensive card is more durable or has a longer life. Sometimes paying more means you get something more reliable, other times you pay twice as much or more for something that lasts just as long.
Thank you!! This really helped me out! I am also looking to get the Wave 3 because I’m using a generic mic right now. Do you think it will go on sale this Black Friday or cyber Monday?
This is great! Nice video! One observation: if the lag is constant, you can also fix that (the audio/image sync)? I'm not a streamer but I use a capture card for other things like recording some news pieces from Broadcast TV. The card I have is a bit more complex, uses USB 3.0 and supposedly can receive 4K signals (captures at 1080p60). The problem I have is heating (I live in Brazil). How did the Elgato perform in that respect? I also would love to se a review of the 400 dollar Elgato 4K60 Pro S+ standalone device. Once again, heating is my preoccupation and having an external device that does everything removes that encoding heat from the computer itself. Thanks! (oh ... put more P, D and T sounds on your pronunciation test like "The pop will eat itself" or "Poppa did travel to Disney to get a popcorn from Donald the Duck".)
So I don't have an Elgato to compare but with this USB3 card I got for £15 off Amazon (Amtrak Capture Card USB3.0) the latency is basically identical to the Logitech C920 I have - I hooked up an old Sony HD Handycam for a video feed. Also seems like this thing uses full USB3 bandwidth since when I hooked both this and the C920 up to a dual USB3 port running straight off my mobo's USB3 header, they wouldn't both work at once. Had to move the capture card to a dedicated USB3 port after which it ran fine. It claims on the product page it does 4k60 although don't have anything to test that yet and doubt it's true.. but it does seem to do 1080/60 no problem.
![BRASIL vs. URUGUAY [1-1] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 12](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-hWBAuxF1eY/mqdefault.jpg)
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Using generic connected to HD camcorder for almost 1 year for our church live streaming. 3 services each week, it good durable.
This is the comment I was looking for. Thank you!
Dre All Day your welcome 👍🙏
Been using the generic for one year now.i like it.
Same here
Is its locked to 30fps... is it able to do 60fps on 720p? Or below?
The generic card can do 720p at 60fps, it's very impressive! This should've been mentioned.
It's great for recording gameplay from a console or streaming.
Given I want to capture switch footage it's perfect for that
@Layne Reece hell no i got better job to do than that
do you know if the the generic card record phone videos?
@@red_freire Anything hdmi mate :)
Well the name is generic capture card
One note for the audio delay, you can adjust that slight delay on your webcam to sync up very easily, and you can fine tune it down to the 100th of a second with ease. That flaw is super easy to overcome if youre using OBS or SLOBS.
Good point, thanks!
Great comparison, I have used the generic card in many scenarios and it has been great for the price. A little adjustment and that audio sync can be fixed easily.
what are some things you've done to fix the audio sync? Been working on that on my end too.
@@KwonFiveNine what type of software are you using? I use OBS and there is a off sync setting for the audio input where you can add a delay to the audio I did a video on it on my channel
Hi, I use a dual laptop setup to stream. I have this capture card however there's no audio from the game or from my mic (SteelSeries Arctis 5). Any advice you can share is highly appreciated. Thanks and more power.
@@ador7572 I made a video about how to get sound via hdmi capture card. It could help answer your question
@@zulfphotography title of the video?
Great video! That generic capture card is pretty impressive for the money. Not sure if I would spend more for the elgato when I really only saw minor differences
its not minor actually, I do used it for gaming 60fps and 30 to 40fps is a big deal in the eyes.
@@gameXperience88 but its a video? For gaming fps matters because its your input, but for watching media, it doesnt matter near as much.
It's not minor really. It's because this video is 1080p so you won't see the difference. The difference is night and day when you compare them at 4k or 1440p.
True, and since in my case I just need the DSLR feed for a live stream, I'd very likely not do 4K but 1080p since it's gonna be a crowded place and the bitrate is gonna eat shit. Also the elgato here is about 29 times more costly than the cheap one here.
Thanks! This was really helpful and well explained! While watching the video I was convinced that maybe the Elgato was worth it... then when it came to shopping I just couldn't bring myself to drop that extra £100 for a relatively minor difference. The generic one is so cheap that I think you can always re-upgrade later if you really wanna get super professional with your camera
that was helpful....I bought a $13 capture card and its seems ok.... I wonder how it syncs with an external microphone?......terrible sync on clapping test.
would've loved to see the video comparison side by side
Thank you for the latency test! I also hate that the latency difference is not being talked about.
Fantastic! Thank you so much for the review and comparison. Looks like you just helped me save $110. I figured since I have a DSLR I may as well use it for video conferencing instead of the built in laptop webcam, but $130 seemed a bit much to just adapt the HDMI camera output to USB for Zoom/Skype/etc. So glad to know the $20 converter works and is adequate for this application!
I think it will all depend on what you want to do. For a gaming streamer just starting out, I think saving some money is the important pat and it can be upgraded later
This is an amazing video comparison, between all those devices, I found it really clear and useful since I am a musician and as a student or teacher the sound delay is a prior thing while in class or recording at home. You won a subscriber
Thanks for the review. I've been using the Cam Link 4K for 12 months. It's worked great, until now. Now, it's crapping out more often than not. I just doesn't send a signal to my computer. Super frustrating. I think a $130 product should last longer than 12 months.
Under warranty return that asap
finally someone that addressed the audio video sync. Legend.
First time I see a video that addresses the topic of sound and video sync related to quality of equipment used. Your clapping test is simply genius. Thanks a lot for the video, really clarified things for me.
Just plug the USB microphone into the computer
Thank you for this video, I would most definitely pay the extra for a catch-all capture card that I don't have to think about. I always want equipment that can do what I need it to do without limitations. Thanks for the explanation. I need to feed from a camera to a computer AND a large high-resolution monitor at the same time. This helped. Thumbs up and I wish you all the best!
I love whenever people say big streamers use a webcam everyone just looks at xqc
Your details on the audio sync was absolutely what I needed to hear since I've been looking for DSLR capture. Thank you so much for focusing on that!
This can be fixed by doing an “offset” on the audio or video whichever comes first. I did bout 30-35 clap test to sync my webcam.
Excellent comparison! I’m looking at these for the first time and, as an example, I would never have thought of the syncing aspect. This is very helpful.
I’m late to the party and the video is 2 years old now. I’m going to check your channel to see if you have revisited the subject with other or newer devices.
I was going for the Elgato, but after checking the comparison , and because I don't talk during streams, the cheap one it's truly the best deal. Thank you for the video.
Glad I could help!
Thank you for the review. I am an artist and just purchased a cheaper video card. I have not gotten it yet, but after your review, I feel it will work nicely for my setup.
If audio sync is your issue, just adjust your audio delay.
Very helpful. I'm going for the generic capture card. Thank you.
Finally a review with the camera I have. Thank you!
likewise have you used the cam link yet?
This is a really big question that a lot of people wonder about. Great comparison video. Thanks for sharing.
Got the £130 CamLink 4K. This field is VERY expensive in the UK. And even MORE back home in Australia…. Thanks for a great vid. Enjoyed it very much. Kudos to the editing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
If you go into the video settings you can change the default colors to be more neutral. By default the color is jacked up way too high, the contrast is too high, and the brightness is too low. Also, it does support 60fps at 720p if that resolution is fine for you. I think the biggest quality issue is the fact that it only supports mjpeg. Although I don't think most people would notice. They're normally watching on their phones anyway.
Man...so glad I finally came across some who brakes it down in the most simplest comprehensive way...THANK YOU! I’m new to this YT grind and trying to get my computer rig set up. 👍🏼
Welcome aboard! Glad I could help!
When you record your videos for youtube, is it straight off camera then as opposed to using your elgato?
I'm experimenting with that right now. Normally I use a Rode shotgun mic that is connect to my camera and hangs right over my head, but in my most recent video (the Twitch vs RUclips one) I recorded straight from the Elgato mic.
Trying to figure out what I like better.
What about video? Are you recording to an sd card or recording straight into your computer through the camlink?
@@ThomasPosen great question
@@ThomasPosen I think the point of this test was to see the difference in how it would look going from camera to cam link to computer with the two products. So, recording straight onto an SD card wouldn't make sense.
I have a generic and think I'm going to upgrade to the Camlink because any time the generic card gets even a slight bump, it freaks out and freezes or stops. Not cool.
Very interesting! I haven't had that issue. Do you mean physically bumped? Have you tried multiple ports to ensure its not just a bad port?
In my opinion, if anyone wants 1080p30, then they may go for the generic capture card and in case anyone wants 1080p60, the they may get the camlink 4k
Can we rec in 4k with the Elgato ? Not for stream, just record local file with OBS
@@RomainGal Yes...of course👍
Yep!
And we can't with other one, I on aliexpress a new version of that one ?
@@RomainGal just don't get it from that shitty website....get a CamLink 4k on Amazon👍
Well the cost is a great + no matter what. Great content!
Great video! I went with Elgato. Is your mic connected via USB or jack?
you hold the best representation for the Cam Link Capture Card bro. Crowned
Appreciate the love!
@@TechAuditTV appreciate you bro. I made my purchase last night, fixing to do great things. Stay creative bro🤞🏾
Great info, straight to the point no faffing about, Generic Card link not working (UK viewer)
Same, generic card link doesn't seem to work (US viewer)
Thanks for the analysis! I've been streaming with that exact generic capture card for a few years, and today it finally bit the dust. I think I'll be upgrading to the Camlink after watching this though.
Thanks for the review! I’ve had the cam link 4k for about 2 years and it just completely stopped working. I bought it before there were cheaper options. It’s been great but I only use it for zooming music lessons and don’t need the high frame rate and extra resolution. I was bummed that it crapped out on me and this video made me feel good about buying the cheap one. Thanks!
how do you like the cheap one?
Awesome video!
The discord notification sounds were so confusing :D Spent some time trying to figure out where I was mentioned
lo yeah I just checked discord im like wut
Thank you the sound syncing was one area I was really concerned about - and you the only one to have really covered it! For Zoom calls the generic card looks fine but with the odd WebTV appearance I may just spend the extra.
You nailed it. I've ordered the camlink 4K 3 days ago, can't wait.
Let me know how it works out for you!
@@TechAuditTV I will. Have you found what are great HDMI cables for the M6 Mark II with Camlink 4K?
I have ordered that generic card from aliexpress for 10 dollars cant wait lol
The generic capture card parameters can be adjusted similar to other UVC (USB video) devices. Its contrast, saturation and brightness are off the center. This fixes lots of color issues.
Thanks for putting light on the audio/video syncing latency.
Thanks for making this video! Question - Is your mic plugged into your camera for these tests? Or are youplugged into an audio interface on your computer? And if it's plugged into the camera, could you let us know if there are any issues with audio-visual sync when you use a mic plugged into the computer for streaming audio? Since I'm live-streaming music I'd like to be able to use my Sony camera for video but keep using my audient ID14 for audio.
I bought a cheap USB capture card like the one in the video. Worked fine for awhile and then started freezing on me for no reason. Now it is completely unreliable. I unplug it, plug it back in and still have problems.
Probably would go with elagato since I want to do live music streaming. Thanks for the comparison.
It may be worth getting a mixer if you do music live streaming. It was the best thing I did for my live streaming.
@@zulfphotography thanks. What mixer do you use? Do you still need to use a video capture card with it?
@@gerimayawhyte154 Yes i use the card for the video then the mixer for just the audio. It sounds really nice. I use the Yamaha MG10XU but you could look at a behringer mixer i did a few videos about the setup and tests.
Great video - thank you. I did notice the audio delay for the generic card, I thought it was obvious during your claps. It was bad enough that I will opt for the Cam Link. I also figure that I'll have the cam link for a few years and like all tech, I'd rather have something up to date vs. something built on yesterdays tech (USB 2.0). Anyway, my two cents - thanks.
You kind of said said everything I needed to hear by 2:30 😁
Dumb question, what were you using to shoot your "main" video talking to us?
I'm using the cheap one and it looks working fine. The thing is that my image,when I stream, look a little bit out of focus (only when I stream - I think it's not a connection trouble, cause looks great when I'm using my phone). Well, I'll try different settings. But this video is very helpful!
lmao actually checking discord and it was in your audio lmao
Great video! I just built a pc. Just waiting for it to arrive and I plan on getting a DSLR to upgrade the overall quality of my stream. The generic capture card will work perfect. Glad you were able to show actual footage of what a typical livestream would look like.
love your test. so thoroughly inspected and efficient execution but no bs.
Seems like the generic one would also be good as a backup option in case you run into some sort of compatibility issue. It might also be justifiable to send to a co-host or guest.
Hi Brandon, really helpful - many thanks. On another note, really like the simple lighting you have on yourself. Could you share that set up please? Single LED panel? Thanks!
Thanks for this video it was helpful. I lucked out on an Elgato Camlink from work and tried to use it to feed my old Droid phone to use as a field monitor. Unfortunately the Camlink is a USB 3 device so struggled getting enough power from the USB OTG protocol. I bought the generic one as it’s USB 2. Works fine!
Dunno if that’s helpful for anyone, but there you go!
I loved this video! I have the cam link and have been using it for a while and I didn't know half of the stuff you explained so thank you lol!
Glad you enjoyed it, Chelsey! Appreciate the comment!
Somehow my generic capture card stopped working mid stream in just three months. Was using with ZV-1. Personally, I am now reluctant to use again.
Since you're using a Canon DSLR, canon has a program that you can use it as a webcam just by using the video out port on the side to usb cord straight into the computer. I'd love to see how it does compares to using a capture card vs the canon beta program. It's called Canon webcam utility.
Very good comparison and showing situations where each would be a good investment.
This video was totally worth watching. You are clear and complete.
Thank you!
A major difference right now is that you can actually buy the generic capture device, and have it in 2 days. Good luck doing that, with the CamLink. And it's very unlikely you can get the Camlink at the list price, high as that is, for now.
As to performance, the cheap device adds just a tiny bit of lag, nothing you can't fix in OBS. The color comparison is a matter of taste, but can be adjusted in either the camera or the capture program. The real difference in performance is that the CamLink seems to work with any app you throw at it, while the cheap one will vary by which program you use it with. The good news is, it's great with OBS, also with Zoom. Discord is a big problem, I found, and it's not great with Microsoft Teams or WebEx, but...not everyone will care about that. Good demo, thanks.
I will say the Cam Link is back in stock at regular price from Elgato and I got it in under 4 days, so I was impressed!
@@TechAuditTV Interesting news, thanks for sharing. I asked 2 major sellers to automatically notify me when it's in stock, and neither has emailed me yet.
The Elgato camlink is 10x the price of the genetic one, not a good price per perform if you ask me.
@@ukmrleo3245 Agreed! Unless you need to use an app where the cheap one doesn't work: It doesn't seem to work at all in the web version of Discord, for one example, while in the Discord desktop app it works but is laggy compared to webcams. But most people are probably using OBS or Zoom, where it's fine.
Amazing video bro! Man Ive been trying to decide for the best hour and so thankful I came across your video.
My camera is a Canon SX740 , small pocket camera I use for vlogging , but I am also on zoom alot. Since my camera is very clear and shoots in 4k I figured I would get the elgato cam link 4k , but the price through me off. Once you mentioned constant uploads for RUclips , looks like I have to pull the trigger on this one... thanks bro!
Glad I could help!
When you livestream you can set audio offset in OBS to compensate for the audio delay right?
That's true audio sync ofset, it allows you to meet up the video and audio.
No shit Sherlock
@@thaddeuz_ well, I didn't know so I'm grateful for the OG post comment.
those discord pings got me i was checking my inbox like what's going on
Great video. What would you recommend to use for streaming a live basketball games? Thank you
Awesome! Thanks!
I have also read alot about the CamLink being unreliable, needing special juicy USB 3.0 ports for extra power
Thank you for this. I am going to just bite the bullet for the elgato. The generic is nice but for long term projects, your review helped me choose.
I just bought the generic one..After looking at this review. I still don't regret getting the generic.
Glad to hear it!
You got a new sub!
Thank you so much for this comparison!
Thank you for this review. I noticed that the quality of this video was better than the sample video, even with the CamLink card, so I assume that for these videos you are recording directly to your camera. If so, are you feeding your mic into your camera or are you recording the audio separately and then syncing in post? Thanks!
This put into words what I've been trying to find an answer to. As I got my hands on a cheap capture card since it couldn't be worse than the 572p I got with canon webcam utility. But I still felt like it wasn't sharp enough, even tho I could see that the focus was super sharp but with some pixelated noise of colours in it. And I see this in here too in this comparison.
BRO YOU'RE SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE ! Thank you
Excellent comparison video - I bought the Cam Link today. Thanks!
This video was very helpful. I just assumed the generic card was going to do the job but it should be perfect
great video! You answered my question of "does it matter?" I'm a drum instructor and have upgraded my set up this last year to do more zoom lessons. I've had this handycam to record with but couldn't integrate into my streaming set up. If I only continue to do zoom lessons then the cheap one makes sense. When you mentioned recording directly into my computer and bypassing the SD card, that caught my attention. I use a webcam, iPhone, and integrated camera currently and have to sync everything in post. I think I'll get the elgato to future proof my workflow. Even if it takes me another year to figure it all out! The motion blur and audio syncing is subtle but just enough for me to notice when I'm demonstrating techniques. Thanks for the demo.
Excelent review! The delay video/audio with the cheaper one is pretty noticeable. Unfortunately I just ordered the cheaper one. So will see if this suits for "moving pictures" on a stream or I have got to upgrade ...
good comparison, elgato clearly superior. what were your video settings on the camera for test shots? 60fps, 30fps? i normally shoot my video at 24fps and i wonder if some of the sync and motion blur qualities were affected by your cameras video settings (?)
Dude... For syncing audio and video you just add a delay in OBS. Audio is always faster than video, no matter which card you are using.
I'm happy that this is a decent option because I have a really good capture card that I've used for console games that I can easily use for my camera whenever I'm doing PC gaming but... yeah definitely need a backup for if I want to continue to use the camera while also playing console games
Thank you for the test, certainly helpful! I guess I'm going for the long term with the elgato!
made the decision very easy. Very well explained.
I have the CamLink 4K, I would want to get the capture card that I know will work for all scenarios & not have to compromise or have to repurchase the upgraded model later because it wasn't meeting my needs. This is why I would by the CamLink vs. a generic model it could end up being cheaper in the long run.
I am making Animal Crossing Videos. I am considering using a cheaper one because I am still a beginner to RUclips. I chose 3, and I was wondering if you knew anything about these: GOODAN Video Capture Card, IPXOZO USB 3.0, LYLEE Video Capture Card. Let me know if you do! Thanks!
Excellent comparison. Thank you so much.
I think I might be sold on the generics capture, as you can always add a delay to the audio input in OBS
Other generic video capture cards use USB 3 instead of USB 2. In your opinion, are they more likely to produce a better clap test result than you achieved with your USB 2 version?
This was excellent. Thumbs up and subscribed. Thank you!
The Cam Link 4K just doesn't work for a lot of people. I think it may pushing the bandwidth of the usb standard or is just drawing too much power. I couldn't get mine to work reliable and many other's are having the same problem. Sending this one back.
Can you use both these capture cards for capturing console content? Meaning, can I connect my switch or Ps5/4 to these capture cards for the same quality?
Thank you for the info, I’m an artist and the webcam I bought is hopeless at picking up fine details so using my current cameras with a link will hopefully make it better.
I'd be curious to find out if the more expensive card is more durable or has a longer life. Sometimes paying more means you get something more reliable, other times you pay twice as much or more for something that lasts just as long.
Noted! I'll see what I can do 😃
thanks man, helped me with the decision what to purchase
Watching this review with the wave test and all, on my phone @360p... Nice...
Thank you!! This really helped me out! I am also looking to get the Wave 3 because I’m using a generic mic right now. Do you think it will go on sale this Black Friday or cyber Monday?
This is great! Nice video! One observation: if the lag is constant, you can also fix that (the audio/image sync)? I'm not a streamer but I use a capture card for other things like recording some news pieces from Broadcast TV. The card I have is a bit more complex, uses USB 3.0 and supposedly can receive 4K signals (captures at 1080p60). The problem I have is heating (I live in Brazil). How did the Elgato perform in that respect?
I also would love to se a review of the 400 dollar Elgato 4K60 Pro S+ standalone device. Once again, heating is my preoccupation and having an external device that does everything removes that encoding heat from the computer itself. Thanks!
(oh ... put more P, D and T sounds on your pronunciation test like "The pop will eat itself" or "Poppa did travel to Disney to get a popcorn from Donald the Duck".)
So I don't have an Elgato to compare but with this USB3 card I got for £15 off Amazon (Amtrak Capture Card USB3.0) the latency is basically identical to the Logitech C920 I have - I hooked up an old Sony HD Handycam for a video feed. Also seems like this thing uses full USB3 bandwidth since when I hooked both this and the C920 up to a dual USB3 port running straight off my mobo's USB3 header, they wouldn't both work at once. Had to move the capture card to a dedicated USB3 port after which it ran fine.
It claims on the product page it does 4k60 although don't have anything to test that yet and doubt it's true.. but it does seem to do 1080/60 no problem.
I am cashed up! I would get the Elgato just to keep up with the cool kids :-)
You have a light flicker in the background, may need to adjust shutter speed to correct that
Congratulations, amazing overview and very instructive.