4K Capture Cards Go Mainstream: Video Capture Market Trends in 2023
The video capture card market is experiencing a major transformation in 2023. What was once a niche product category dominated by a few brands has evolved into a thriving, competitive market where 4K capture has become the new standard. Whether you’re a gamer streaming on Twitch, a content creator producing YouTube videos, or a professional working in broadcast, the options available today are more powerful and affordable than ever.
4K Capture Becomes the Standard
The biggest trend of 2023 is clear: 4K capture cards are no longer premium-only products. While capturing at 4K resolution was once limited to high-end internal PCIe cards costing hundreds of dollars, the market now offers a wide range of external USB 4K capture devices at competitive price points.
Leading this charge is the Elgato HD60 X, which Digital Trends calls the best capture card for most users. It supports gameplay capture at up to 4K@30fps or 1440p@60fps, with full 4K@60fps HDR passthrough — all through a compact external USB device.
Internal vs. External: Both Markets Thriving
The capture card market has split into two distinct segments, each serving different needs:
Internal PCIe cards like the Elgato 4K60 Pro Mk.2 remain the gold standard for maximum quality, offering up to 140 Mbps bitrate and 4K@60fps capture thanks to the massive bandwidth of PCIe interfaces. The newer AVerMedia GC575 Live Gamer 4K 2.1 pushes the envelope further with 4K HDR at 60fps capture and up to 4K@144fps passthrough.
External USB cards have closed the gap significantly. The NZXT Signal 4K30 and Asus TUF Gaming CU4K30 both deliver 4K@30fps capture through simple USB-C connections, with plug-and-play setup that requires no drivers.
As CGMagazine notes, the external capture card market has matured to the point where these devices deliver excellent results for the vast majority of users.
HDR and High Frame Rate Support
HDR capture has emerged as a key differentiator in 2023. More capture cards now support HDR10 passthrough and recording, allowing content creators to preserve the vivid colors and contrast of modern games and video content.
High frame rate capture is another growing trend. Cards like the AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo can handle 1080p@240Hz recording while simultaneously passing through 4K@144Hz signals with HDR and VRR support — capabilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
The Streaming Factor
Despite these advances in 4K capture, it’s worth noting that the streaming landscape hasn’t fully caught up. Twitch still doesn’t support 4K streaming, making 4K capture primarily beneficial for YouTube creators and those who want to future-proof their recorded content. For live streamers, 1080p@60fps remains the practical sweet spot, with the added benefit of lower bandwidth requirements.
Budget Options Expand the Market
Perhaps the most significant development for market growth is the expansion of budget-friendly options. The AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus, despite being around for several years, continues to be a strong seller at around $160, offering 1080p@60fps capture with lagless 4K passthrough — and uniquely, the ability to record directly to an SD card without a computer.
This combination of falling prices and rising capabilities is drawing new users into the capture card market, from casual gamers wanting to save their best moments to educators recording their presentations.
Looking Ahead
The capture card market in 2023 is healthier and more diverse than ever. As 4K displays become standard and next-gen consoles push higher resolutions and frame rates, the demand for capable capture solutions will only continue to grow. The industry is clearly preparing for the next frontier: HDMI 2.1 capture cards that can handle 8K passthrough and 4K@120fps recording.
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