I once purchased a game capture device called the Roxio HD to use on my PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It served its purpose, if not on a basic level. However, it wasn't always the most reliable device in terms of capture quality with 720p often being the safest choice to get consistent performance. It was also quite slow from what I remember when it came to storing footage on my laptop. For around £100 at the time, it was fine, but nothing compared to high-end capture cards on PCs of today.
Thankfully, over a decade has passed and technology has come a long way not only with game capture hardware and software but also with gaming consoles and PCs. So naturally, using my old Roxio HD today would not be the ideal choice. Enter the external Elgato 4K X Superspeed Game Capture.
Check out the Elgato 4K X trailer below!
The Elgato 4K X is compatible with PC (including Steam Deck), ROG Ally, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch as well as Android and iOS devices. It’s also compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. It has a wide range of game capture quality options from 4K at 144 frames per second, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) up to 144fps, HRR (High Frame Rate) up to 240fps and HDR10, and more. The Elgato 4K X supports HDMI 2.1 and USB 3.2 with Ultra-low latency passthrough to capture the best quality gameplay possible.
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For the sake of my review and not to overstrain my laptop, I captured footage on my PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch at 1080p and 60fps with no issues. Elgato has labelled the 4K X as a “plug and play” device and that is very much the case. You simply plug the console HDMI into the ‘In’ port on the Elgato 4K X, the TV into the HDMI out, and finally, the USB into your PC, laptop or compatible mobile device. It’s that simple.
As soon as all is connected, fire up the free Elgato 4K Utility desktop app or most other capture software of your choosing due to this device being a UVC card. The gameplay will automatically record (you can pause and stop it at any time) and all captured gameplay will be neatly saved in the library section of the desktop app. The videos will also be categorised in length, resolution, games and more. Easy Peasy.
You also have the option to connect a mic or headset and record commentary from the get-go or you can add that at a later date. The Elgato 4K X is also super accessible for content creators as it can not only stream from your PC and laptop, but it's also compatible with the Elgato Stream Deck as well as a wide variety of streaming and social media apps.
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There’s a feature called Flashback Recording and when enabled it allows you to rewind, fast forward or pause gameplay that is automatically recorded on your device. At first, when I saw that the capture was automatically recording I was worried because I hadn't even started a game yet, as it was just recording my Xbox dashboard. But my initial worries were misplaced because once a game had started, all I had to do was move the slider back on Flashback Recording and select my new record starting point.
In terms of tidiness, depending on how your tech is set up, the Elgato 4K X will mostly go unnoticed. If your monitor is on a desk situated with your PC, laptop and/or consoles nearby this tiny device can be placed easily under a monitor or TV hidden away in plain sight. Unfortunately, my setup isn't as convenient as my desk is away from my TV and consoles. However, all I had to do was move my laptop near to my console, connect the devices and it was done.
I was sceptical about using this device beforehand, especially with the apparent ease of ‘Plug and Play’. Yet as soon as I worked out which of the three cables connected where I was off. The Elgato 4K X really is easy to use. To put things into perspective, I am by no means the most tech-savvy person and if I can use this device with ease, I bet you can too.
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The Elgato 4K X does have an RRP of £229.99, which is a lot, but it’s so worth that value, especially if you’re into content creation. Put it this way, the Roxio HD that I bought over a decade ago cost me around £100, which in terms of current inflation is roughly £140, and I can hand on heart so that the Elgato 4K X is easily twice the device than my old Roxio HD. If you decide to pick up the Elgato 4K X, you will not be disappointed.
The Elgato 4K X Superspeed Game Capture can be purchased from elgato.com as well as other retailers. A review sample was provided by Corsair.
Featured Image Credit: Corsair GamingTopics: Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Tech, Twitch, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Youtube