True 4K capture requires significantly more bandwidth than 1080p — and most capture cards compromise. USB 3.0 caps out at around 5Gbps, which is borderline for uncompressed 4K30. For 4K60, you need either USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps), PCIe, or a hardware encoder that compresses onboard.
The practical question is: do you need 4K on the capture card, or 4K in the output stream? Most streaming platforms still deliver 1080p to viewers — so capturing in 4K gives you headroom for cropping and post, but the viewers may not see the difference.
Use our Product Selector — answer a few questions about your camera, software and resolution, and we'll recommend the right Magewell model.
For 4K60 capture with a USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro, you need a modern CPU (Intel 10th gen or AMD Ryzen 5000+ recommended), at least 16GB RAM, USB 3.1 Gen 2 port, and a fast NVMe SSD for recording. For PCIe Pro Capture cards, the requirements are lower as the card handles more processing. GPU encoding (NVENC/QuickSync) in OBS significantly reduces CPU load.
Yes. The Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro captures up to 3840×2160 at 60fps via USB 3.0. You need a USB 3.1 Gen 1 or better port — USB 2.0 is insufficient for 4K. The device is driver-free on Mac and Linux (UVC) and uses Magewell drivers on Windows.
Yes. Several Magewell Pro Capture and Eco Capture cards support HDR10 and HLG input. The USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro passes HDR metadata. Check the spec sheet for your specific model, as HDR support varies. Note that HDR capture requires compatible software such as vMix or Magewell Capture Express for full end-to-end HDR workflow.
For a PC-based 4K stream to YouTube, the Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K or Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus PCIe cards are the most robust option — they handle 4K internally on the card, minimising CPU load. Pair with OBS or vMix for encoding. For a standalone 4K encoder with no PC required, the Ultra Encode AIO streams 4K from HDMI at up to 32Mbps to YouTube, Facebook, or any RTMP endpoint.
For 4K capture to use in live streaming software, look at the USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus, USB Capture SDI 4K Plus, or the Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus range. The right choice depends on your input signal type (HDMI or SDI), whether you need PCIe or USB, and your target frame rate.
Yes. Capture 4K from your source via a Magewell 4K-capable card, then encode and output in OBS. Note that YouTube and most streaming platforms cap ingestion at 4K60 — check your platform's limits. Your PC also needs sufficient CPU/GPU to encode 4K in real time.
YouTube recommends 35–68 Mbps for 4K60 streaming. Ensure your upload speed has headroom above this. On slower connections, 1080p60 at 10–15 Mbps is more reliable and visually comparable for most audiences.