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-   -   How to identify good USB capture cards? (https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/15777-how-identify-good.html)

dutch 05-18-2026 01:15 PM

How to identify good USB capture cards?
 
So I understand that there are some good USB capture cards out there, and a load of bad ones. But among the potential good ones (ATI, Pinnacle, etc.), is there a definitive, reliable way to identify a card as a "good" one? I've read here that it depends on the chipset, and that those can vary even among cards with the same model number. What am I looking for when I come across a card in order to identify it as a good one? Is there a list of the models & chipsets to look for? I've searched the forum, but came up empty (but please redirect if this has already been addressed).

I'd like to add one to my own collection of equipment, especially for times when I may need to work remotely from my normal setup. Beyond that, I sometimes have access to surplus equipment, and want to make sure I can reliably pull out good stuff that could be used by folks here or elsewhere who value quality tools.

KirVHS 05-18-2026 02:40 PM

Almost every capture card will be good.
As long you got a TBC!

lordsmurf 05-18-2026 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutch (Post 107689)
So I understand that there are some good USB capture cards out there, and a load of bad ones. But among the potential good ones (ATI, Pinnacle, etc.), is there a definitive, reliable way to identify a card as a "good" one?

I try to make it easy for others, which is why I have cards for sale here:
https://www.digitalFAQ.com/forum/mar...ati-600-a.html

You'll waste time, and money, trying to locate good cards on your own. Capture cards are the cheapest part of a workflow (sub-$200), and my pricing is pretty reasonable. I want to see people capturing, not screwing around with eBay, Facebook, thrift stores, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirVHS (Post 107690)
Almost every capture card will be good.
As long you got a TBC!

That's just not true. Too many capture cards have issues with drivers, exposure, etc. It good TBC still needs a good card.

dutch 05-19-2026 06:53 AM

Quote:

I try to make it easy for others, which is why I have cards for sale here:
https://www.digitalFAQ.com/forum/mar...ati-600-a.html

You'll waste time, and money, trying to locate good cards on your own. Capture cards are the cheapest part of a workflow (sub-$200), and my pricing is pretty reasonable. I want to see people capturing, not screwing around with eBay, Facebook, thrift stores, etc.
I totally appreciate that, and am likely to go that route when I need one. That said, I do a bunch of work with an electronics recycler and would like to be able to keep useful equipment out of the waste stream if possible.

Quote:

That's just not true. Too many capture cards have issues with drivers, exposure, etc. It good TBC still needs a good card.
Couldn't agree more. It's why I recently picked up a frame TBC from you :wink2:


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