A capture card allows you to record and edit Xbox Series gameplay footage on a separate device. It's a great tool for streamers or YouTubers who want to record gameplay from HDMI-compatible consoles.
Having said that, setting up a capture card with your Xbox Series X|S isn't as straightforward as you might think. There are several important steps that you need to follow to guarantee a smooth stream.
If you're wondering how some streamers seem to effortlessly switch between devices, you came to the right place. This guide will take you through how to use a capture card with Xbox Series X|S.
How does an Xbox Series X|S capture card work?
To give you a quick overview, a video capture card works by taking the video signal from a device and transferring it into a standard media file format. Most video cards can capture 4K at 60Hz.
A capture card will also make it possible for you to utilize other equipment like a webcam or professional microphone. In short, it's a fantastic tool for streamers or YouTubers who need to capture footage from various devices.
How to use a capture card with Xbox Series X|S
Before we get into the exact steps, there are a few things that you will need.
- A separate computer that meets the minimum system requirements (4-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, USB 3.0, and a GTX 600 or AMD equivalent)
- 2 x HDMI cables
- A monitor
- OBS software and video capture card software
Once you have everything ready, it's time to walk through the steps.
Wiring the hardware
To start, we need to make sure the capture card is properly set up. First, connect your Xbox Series HDMI cable to one side of the capture card.
Next, run another HDMI cable from the other side of the capture card to a display. Finally, the capture card should have a USB cable that needs to be connected to a USB 3.0 USB port on your computer.
Installing software
Every capture card will require specific software and drivers. Take a moment to visit your capture card's manufacturer's website and download all the necessary software. You can test whether your Xbox signal is being received by the capture card by launching the capture software.
Setting up OBS
OBS is the most popular streaming software for Twitch or YouTube. It lets you customize your stream in all kinds of fun ways. To use OBS with your capture card, select a scene, and then click on add a source. From the source list, choose your capture card, which should show your Xbox's user interface.
Follow our tutorial on how to create scenes in OBS for more information.
Xbox Series X|S capture card troubleshooting
You might need to tweak a few settings to get the right experience from your capture card. First, on your Xbox, head to Volume & Audio Output and change the HDMI audio to Stereo Uncompressed.
If your capture is showing blurry or low-quality footage, the reason could be the USB bandwidth is overloaded. To solve that, make sure the capture card is connected to the fastest USB ports on your computer and remove any other USB devices.
With that, we are wrapping up our guide on how to use a capture card with Xbox Series X|S. If you're looking for our recommended capture card, consider the Elgato 4K X and 4K Pro.