In this modern world of video game streaming, having a video capture card is a MUST when playing anything that is not on a PC. Many options are available, with brands like AverMedia, Razor, and Elgato dominating the space. With this being said, Elgato has begun selling its newest entry into the video capture landscape with the Elgato HD60 X. Is this the new must-have for all streamers, or just another box to gather dust on the shelf?
Product Name: Elgato HD60 X
Product Type: External Video Capture Card
Manufacturer: Elgato
Compatible With: Windows, MAC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Available: Now
Price: AUD$315 / USD$179.99
Elgato HD60 X Nerdy Numbers
Ok, here’s the thing that all the tech nerds love to hear about. The Elgato HD60 X is a great simple machine that requires nothing major to run. Thanks to the 4K passthrough and limited 4K support, you can record amazing 4K/30fps videos… Even if Twitch caps out at 1080p. However, if you’re looking for 4K60fps videos, that’s another story.
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Input | HDMI (unencrypted) |
| Output | HDMI (lag-free passthrough) up to 2160p60, 1440p120, 1080p240, VRR, HDR |
| Capture Resolutions | 2160p30, 1440p60, 1080p60, 1080p30, 1080i, 720p60, 576p, 480p HDR 10-bit passthrough (up to 4K60) / capture (up to 1080p60) (HDR capture is currently only available on Windows) |
| Dimensions | 112 x 72 x 18 mm / 4.4 x 2.8 x 0.7 in |
| Weight | 91 g / 3.2 oz |
| In the Box | Game Capture HD60 X, USB 3.0 C-to-A Cable (180 cm / 70.9 in), HDMI 2.0 Cable (150 cm / 59 in) |
| Software | Works with all Capture Software like OBS, XSplit, YouTube, Facebook, and more Elgato 4K Capture Utility is also available (Recommended) |
The New Streamer’s Best Friend
If you are new to the streaming field and want to get set up without needing to research how to format windows and use filters to get a great picture, then the Elgato HD60 X is perfect for you.
Coming right out of the box, all you need to do is plug the output from your console into the input socket in the card, run another HDMI cable from the output of the card into a monitor or TV, and the USB-C cable into your computer and BAM! You’re up and running with whatever software you use to stream. Elgato HD60 X is instantly recognized by your PC (I use Windows, and the drivers are auto-installed) with OBS, which picked up the card straight away and was easy to pick out and place into all my streaming windows in OBS.
From here, you can either stream to whatever platform you use or alternately, you can download the Elgato 4K Capture Utility program, which not only works as a streaming program but can be used to capture your gameplay and formatted into a format that will work with most video editing programs like Adobe Premier. This program can also capture your webcam as a separate source, leaving your stream layout intact while giving you a direct gameplay-only viewing area for your game. Amazing stuff.
More Options Needed in Hardware and Software
While the Elgato HD60 X is a beast of a 4K passthrough video capture device, it is still very limited in what it can do. It reminds me more of the Razor Ripsaw Game Capture Device that we reviewed in 2016, just with 4K as a maximum instead of 1080p. But as a simple video capture device, that’s all well and good… I expect more for an AUD$315 price tag.
For example, the previous version of the HD60 series was the 4K60S+ (discontinued), an external capture card much like the HD60 X, but it came with an SD Card slot, allowing you to take the capture card with you and record on location where ever you are. The drawback is that the 4K60S+ needs a power supply to use that function. Alternately, the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus does the same thing as the 4K60S+, which requires only a USB cable for power and is cheaper. However, it is locked to 1080p recording for the remote option. So all 3 have their drawbacks.
The other thing that I wasn’t happy with about the Elgato HD60 X is the lack of HDCP removal for older consoles. HDCP (High-Def Copy Protection) stops people from recording copyrighted footage from various devices. While you have the option to turn HDCP off with the PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Series X/S does it automatically, not being able to use the HD60 X with something like the PlayStation 3 is a bit annoying on a personal level. I still stream/record/play PlayStation 3 games via HDMI, and I can turn the HDCP option off via my AverMedia card, allowing PlayStation 3 footage to be streamed. This might be an agreement that Elgato has to abide by, but AverMedia can allow selective HDCP removal for PlayStation 3 and some iOS devices while blocking HDCP-enabled devices like PlayStation 5 and most DVD/BluRay video players. Why can’t Elgato do the same?
Elgato HD60 X: Easy, Effective, Expensive
The Elgato HD60 X is a great video capture card. This is perfect if you want something simple to use and can capture 4K graphics without any additional filters or options to run. However, if you want more from a video capture device than just putting an image on your monitor and streaming simultaneously, you might want to look into something else from the Elgato line-up or other brands.
I’d recommend the Elgato HD60 X for new streamers who want to have a high-quality video capture immediately or if you want to record 4K/30fps and 1080p60fps video footage for YouTube. If you want a more all-in-one device that you can use at home or on the road, other options are better… and cheaper.
Elgato is known as the big brand in streaming hardware, and for good reason. Their products are second to none, with ease of use being front and center of the design. It’s hard to pass up the HD60 X when it comes to video capture, and it should be on your shopping list if you’re starting or upgrading your setup.
Review Disclosure Statement: ELGATO HD60 X was provided to us by ELGATO for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy.
Summary
Elgato HD60 X is a great video capture device for beginning streamers or those who are looking to upgrade their setup. The simple-to-install nature of the HD60X should be the baseline for all video capture devices going forward. However, if you need more than just a 4K passthrough device, then there are other options out there at a lower price that will suit your needs.
Pros
- Easy to use and install
- Elgato 4K Capture Suite is a great recording program
- Works easily with all capture software
Cons
- No internal recording
- No HDCP removal for older consoles/devices
- Price might scare customers away
