4K@60fps Capture Cards: HDMI 2.1 Enables a New Generation of Video Capture
For years, capturing video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second simultaneously was a challenge that pushed the limits of consumer capture card technology. The bandwidth requirements simply exceeded what HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0 connections could reliably handle. In 2024, that barrier has finally fallen, thanks to HDMI 2.1 capture cards.
The Bandwidth Breakthrough
The key enabler is HDMI 2.1’s massive bandwidth increase. While HDMI 2.0 offered 18 Gbps, HDMI 2.1 delivers up to 48 Gbps — nearly three times the available bandwidth. This extra headroom makes true 4K@60fps capture not just possible, but practical.
Leading Products
Elgato 4K Pro (Internal PCIe)
The Elgato 4K Pro is the flagship of this new generation. As an internal PCIe card, it leverages both HDMI 2.1 input and the PCIe bus bandwidth to deliver:
- 4K@60fps HDR capture
- 8K@60fps HDR passthrough
- 4K@144Hz passthrough
- 1080p@240fps capture
XDA Developers reports that Elgato’s new cards with HDMI 2.1 represent a significant leap, providing 8K@60fps HDR passthrough capabilities that were previously impossible in consumer devices.
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1
AVerMedia’s response brings HDMI 2.1 to an external form factor. The Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 offers 4K@60fps capture and 4K@144Hz passthrough through a compact USB device — making true 4K@60fps capture accessible to laptop users for the first time.
AVerMedia GC575 Live Gamer 4K 2.1
For desktop users, the AVerMedia GC575 offers an internal PCIe alternative with 4K HDR at 60fps capture and up to 4K@144fps passthrough.
Professional Grade: YUAN and Blackmagic
The professional market has also embraced HDMI 2.1. TechPowerUp reports that YUAN High-Tech has unveiled 8K@60fps capture devices with HDMI 2.1, while Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink 8K Pro G2 pushes even further into professional broadcast territory.
What 4K@60fps Capture Means in Practice
The move to 4K@60fps capture has practical implications across multiple use cases:
For Gamers: PS5 and Xbox Series X games that run at 4K@60fps can now be captured at their native resolution and frame rate, preserving the full visual quality of the gaming experience.
For Content Creators: 4K@60fps source footage provides maximum flexibility in post-production. You can crop, stabilize, and reframe without losing resolution, or deliver in native 4K for platforms that support it.
For Professionals: Broadcast and production workflows can now use consumer-grade capture cards for 4K acquisition, reducing equipment costs significantly.
The Remaining Challenge: File Size
One practical consideration is storage. Recording at 4K@60fps generates massive files. At typical bitrates:
- 30 Mbps: ~13.5 GB per hour
- 50 Mbps: ~22.5 GB per hour
- 140 Mbps (PCIe max): ~63 GB per hour
Content creators planning to capture in 4K@60fps should invest in fast, large-capacity storage solutions.
Looking Forward
With HDMI 2.1 capture cards now available from multiple manufacturers at increasingly competitive prices, 4K@60fps capture is transitioning from a premium feature to a standard capability. The stage is set for 8K capture to become the next frontier.
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