If you have spent more than ten minutes researching ‘how to Twitch’, you have probably heard of a capture card. But do you really need one or not before you go live? Show Though capture cards may allow you to create more of a variety of content by giving you the ability to connect a console to your PC, they are not essential for streaming on Twitch at all. In fact, if you are looking to stream games from your PlayStation or Xbox, they have built streaming capabilities or there are even programs you can use, such as PS remote play, to connect your consoles to your PC remotely without the need for a capture card (though capture cards definitely give a more stable and quality connection). That is by no means the only thing that you can do with a capture card though. Although you may not need it to actually stream on twitch, there are many scenarios in which having one may benefit your stream greatly. In this article, we’ll be looking at those different scenarios to help you decide on whether or not you need one for your live stream. When Do You Need a Capture Card to Stream on Twitch?Not every streamer needs a capture card, but most streamers could certainly put one to good use. Here is a few examples of when you might need a capture card for your live stream:
What are Capture Cards Used For?Capture cards are used to connect external media devices to your computer. This could be; a second PC, a gaming console, a DSLR camera, or even another computer. Capture cards offer quality encoded playback with no delay, unlike some apps which will allow wireless connectivity. They are often used in streaming for the functionality of connecting a console to a PC, though you can essentially connect any HDMI device to your capture card. If you are going to purchase yourself a graphics card, just make sure to get yourself something a little more expensive than an off-brand capture card which turns out to be just a piece of string in a cardboard box. There are still cheaper options that will work perfectly for streaming, but I would recommend the Elgato HD60 if it is within your budget. ConclusionThough you might not need a capture card to stream live on Twitch, there are still certain scenarios that you might find that you need one. It might cost you a pretty penny to get something like a HD60, which will absolutely hold up the quality you want for your live stream, but it is a worthy investment. After all, you get what you pay for! About the Author Arry Arry, also known as ArryBo, is a full time Partnered Twitch streamer from the southeast of England! Video gaming and music are two of the passions he shares on his stream. Can I stream on Twitch without a capture card?Instead of going and building a streaming PC or even buying a pre-built PC just to encode your Twitch stream, you can use Lightstream to stream directly from your console without the need for an expensive PC or capture card.
Do I need a capture card in 2022?If you're looking to upgrade your streaming setup to a more professional camera or to bring console gameplay into your stream this year, you're going to need a capture card.
Does OBS work without a capture card?It's easy to start streaming your Xbox One gameplay to several platforms with Restream even if you don't have a capture card. To do this, you'll need to capture Xbox Companion App on your computer and stream it with any software, like OBS.
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