Capture · Record · Stream · Encode · DecodeWhat you actually need for 4K streaming
A 4K picture has four times the pixels of 1080p, so the link between the capture device and the computer has to carry four times the data at the same frame rate. USB 3.0 devices such as the USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus, accept a 4K signal at 60 fps and pass it through to a monitor, but capture 4K at up to 30 fps. For 4K capture at 60 fps you need a faster link: the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (up to 20 Gbps) interface of the 4K Pro models, or a PCIe card inside the computer.
Then ask where you need the 4K. Capturing in 4K gives you room to crop, reframe and keep a high-resolution recording, even when the stream itself goes out at 1080p. Streaming in 4K asks much more of your computer and your upload connection.
Magewell 4K capture options
4K capture requirements checklist
- A camera or source with a 4K output: HDMI 2.0 or 12G-SDI for 4K at 60 fps
- A fast USB port for the USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro (its interface is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, up to 20 Gbps), or a free PCIe x4 slot for a Pro Capture card
- A graphics processor with a hardware video encoder (Intel Quick Sync, NVIDIA NVENC or AMD’s equivalent)
- Enough memory and processing headroom for your streaming software at 4K
- Fast SSD storage if you record in 4K
Ready to choose your 4K capture card?
Use our Product Selector. Answer a few questions about your camera, software and resolution, and it will point you to the Magewell model that fits.
The capture device needs the right connection: a fast USB port for the USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro, whose interface is USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (up to 20 Gbps), or a free PCIe x4 slot for a Pro Capture 4K card. Beyond that, the heavy work is encoding 4K in your streaming software. A graphics processor with a hardware encoder such as NVENC or Quick Sync takes most of that load off the CPU. Add a fast SSD if you record in 4K.
Yes, with the right model. The USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro captures up to 4096×2160 at 60 fps over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (up to 20 Gbps), and the USB Capture SDI 4K Pro does the same from 12G-SDI. The USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus and SDI 4K Plus use USB 3.0 and capture 4K at up to 30 fps.
Some models do. The Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus, the Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus LT and the Eco Capture HDMI 4K Plus M.2 support HDR10 input. Your capture and streaming software must also handle HDR for the result to reach viewers correctly.
For a PC-based 4K stream, the Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus is the card to choose: it has an HDMI 2.0 input up to 4096×2160 at 60 fps and does scaling and colour conversion on the card. The Pro Capture HDMI 4K has an HDMI 1.4 input, so it suits 4K sources at lower frame rates. For a standalone encoder with no PC, the Ultra Encode AIO streams up to 4K at 30 fps, at up to 32 Mbps, to YouTube or any other RTMP or RTMPS destination.