Pro Capture SDI
Single-channel 3G-SDI PCIe capture with loop-through — the broadcast-standard ingest card.
- ✓Single 3G/HD/SD-SDI input with active loop-through output
- ✓Low-profile PCIe x1 — 1U rack server compatible
- ✓FPGA processing, zero CPU load
- ✓Active loop-through — downstream SDI uninterrupted
- ✓24/7 continuous operation rated
About this product
The Pro Capture SDI is the broadcast workhorse — a single 3G/HD/SD-SDI input on a low-profile PCIe x1 card, with an active loop-through that keeps downstream SDI equipment fed while capture runs. The card has been a fixture in OB trucks and broadcast facilities for over a decade, partly because the spec sheet barely needs to change.
For compliance recording (where a broadcaster archives their own programme output for the regulator) this is typically the card specified. The 24/7 rating, low-profile form factor (fits 1U rack servers), and active loop-through that does not interrupt the SDI chain are all design choices aimed at exactly that use case.
Software-side, the card behaves as a regular capture device on Windows Server, Linux and macOS. We see it most often deployed in pairs or quads for redundant capture — two cards capturing the same SDI source into different storage systems, so any single point of failure does not lose the recording.
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Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pro Capture SDI uses a Low-profile PCIe x1 slot. It will also fit in larger PCIe slots (x8, x16) as PCIe is backward compatible, but will run at the card's native lane width.
The Pro Capture SDI is a capture card. Simultaneous playback (loop-through) depends on the specific model — check the Loop-Through spec in the full specification table. ForeFront Imaging can advise if you need simultaneous I/O.
The Pro Capture SDI works with any software that supports DirectShow (Windows), V4L2 (Linux), or AVCaptureSession (macOS), including OBS Studio, vMix, Wirecast, Capture One, XSplit and most broadcast NLE software. Magewell's free Capture Express software is also available.
The Pro Capture SDI accepts 1x 3G/HD/SD-SDI with loop-through.
The Pro Capture SDI captures at up to 1920x1080 @ 60fps.
Yes. Magewell Pro Capture cards are fully supported on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Driver downloads are available free from Magewell's website and from our Software page.