The Ultimate Game-Changer: AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 21 Capture Card Unleashed!

While many video game capture technologies have achieved a certain level of similarity, there are still a few unexplored areas for industry leaders. While some focus on Display Port capture, most content creators eagerly await a capture card that can support HDMI 2.1. This is crucial for maximizing the current-generation gaming experience, regardless of whether they are on PC or console. AVerMedia has stepped up to the challenge and released the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 external USB-C capture card, making it the first major manufacturer to offer HDMI 2.1 passthrough. This achievement deserves commendation, as the importance of HDMI 2.1 for future capture devices cannot be overstated. AVerMedia has not only been the first, but they have also done everything right, earning them recognition in the industry.

Why Are HDMI 2.1 Capture Cards So Important?

The significance of HDMI 2.1 lies in its impact on the output capabilities of current generation consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S), graphics cards, and TV input. These gaming devices can now deliver video signals of up to 4K at 120Hz (for consoles) or 4K at 240+Hz (for PC), which presents a significant challenge for passthrough. While some capture devices could partially meet these expectations, there were always limitations when it came to consoles. Without HDMI 2.1, capture devices couldn't achieve both 4K at 120Hz and HDR, while also supporting VRR on the passthrough side. As a result, content creators had to settle for a lower visual experience, even though the maximum output to streaming platforms was only 1080p at 60Hz (or 1440p on certain platforms).

In addition to this setback, content creators were also deprived of the advantages of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which is akin to Vsync for UHD TVs. Essentially, it dynamically enhances the frame rate of a game, leading to a smoother visual experience on the display. With VRR, it resolves the issue of screen tearing that can arise when the refresh rate of a TV and a game console are not synchronized.

The Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is a worthwhile investment due to its HDMI 2.1 support, enabling VRR even for console games that are limited to 4K60. Additionally, it offers passthrough support for up to 4K 144Hz when paired with a compatible HDMI 2.1 graphics card like Nvidia 4080 or AMD’s 7800 XT. While capture is limited to 4K60, this remains the current standard and is unlikely to change unless there are improvements in bit rates and download/upload speeds. Therefore, gamers and content creators can expect excellent graphic fidelity and smooth performance. The main selling point of the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is its HDMI 2.1 capture capability, with the additional features such as the customizable RGB array on the front and the two 4-pole 3.5mm jacks for headset and gamepad being secondary. The device is easy to set up, requiring only a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port for optimal compatibility.