NZXT Signal 4K30 Capture Card Review: Lossless High-Quality Footage

Streamers and video content material creators ought to look to a seize card for lossless recording throughout a number of consoles or PCs, particularly if the footage is 4K. NZXT’s Signal 4K30, launched June 29, 2022, is an easy resolution to high-quality display screen recording with out struggling a blow to efficiency.

With the Lift gaming mouse and Function mechanical keyboard, NZXT is on the trail to complete PC setup assimilation. Now, two new seize playing cards, together with an HD60 model, are welcomed into the lineup. Right here’s a take a look at the Sign 4K30.

Setup and NZXT CAM: Clean and Easy

The setup is totally easy. Take away your seize card from the field together with the included HDMI 2.Zero and USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 cable. Join your Sign 4K30 to the recording PC utilizing the USB cable. Then, join your different system to the seize card’s enter port utilizing an HDMI cable. Nothing must be plugged into the output port of the seize card.

Now, if you happen to’re utilizing Home windows, obtain and set up NZXT CAM (NZXT’s customization software program). You’ll be able to’t customise the seize card in any approach, however it’s helpful to validate that every thing is acknowledged and arrange correctly. You’ll be able to see info equivalent to the present FPS and determination of your recordings, whether or not or not HDR is enabled, and the present coloration format, vary, and bit depth.

Word: NZXT CAM is just accessible on Home windows. You should use the Sign 4K30 on Mac, however won’t be able to run the customization software program. NZXT doesn’t plan to launch help for Mac or Linux any time soon.

In the event you’re unsure what any of those settings imply, mouse over the data icon to populate a short clarification. You may also click on “Study Extra” to search out in-depth guides on configuring your Sign 4K30 to greatest match your setup.

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The 4K30’s preliminary setup course of is completed for probably the most half—plug and play. There’s a great probability you’ll need to put in a bit extra work earlier than urgent document, although.

Firstly, you’ll want display screen recording software program if you happen to don’t have already got it—I’m utilizing OBS Studio, however any software program appropriate with the Sign 4K30 will do. Now, you’ll must configure the software program to acknowledge NZXT’s seize card as a video supply. In OBS, meaning right-clicking the Sources window and including a Video Seize System. Then, give it a reputation and choose NZXT Sign 4K30 Video because the system.

I received’t go into configuring your settings for streaming or recording; these fluctuate from machine to machine and even challenge to challenge. The excellent news is, after you have a baseline preset established, you’re all arrange and able to document.

Design: Compact and Glossy

As with the Lift gaming mouse, NZXT employs a slick matte black to create the Sign 4K30’s eye-pleasing exterior. The one coloration you’ll see are the 4 purple ft on the underside of the cardboard, and the (normally white) LED indicator on the front-facing facet.

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Marcus Mears III

Marcus Mears III

Marcus Mears III

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Not only for distinction, these colourful bits serve functions. Beginning with the purple ft: to a seize card, cables are heavy. Particularly cables underneath pressure, that are all too widespread in lots of setups that require a major quantity of cable size for clear routing or spanning the hole between a PC and a standing desk. These ft grip your desk, stopping the seize card from sliding about and guaranteeing it rests neatly on the floor you selected for it.

The LED indicator, however, tells you concerning the standing of your Sign 4K30. If the LED is a strong white, your connection is sound and you need to use the cardboard correctly. If the LED blinks purple, you’re plugged right into a port with slower speeds than required. Be certain that your motherboard helps USB 3.2 Gen 1 earlier than shopping for this seize card.

In any other case, this card includes a blackout design certain to suit into virtually any setup. It can maintain smudges and fingerprints like no one’s enterprise, however fortunately, it’s straightforward to wipe off and have trying good as new in about 30 seconds.

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The left and proper sides are lined with divots for cooling, they usually do an sufficient job dissipating warmth. The cardboard grew to become considerably heat to the contact after just a few hours of use, however it by no means climbed anyplace close to worrisome temperatures.

Shifting to the rear facet of the cardboard, it gives 2 HDMI 2.Zero ports (enter and output connections), and 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port. Every port is labeled in refined lettering; they learn “Sort-C,” “In,” and “Out” from left to proper (as you view the cardboard from the again). In the event you’re aware of different seize playing cards, just like the Elgato HD60 S+, you understand that this collection of ports is fairly normal follow.

Tip: Be certain that your units have free HDMI 2.Zero ports to accommodate your seize card alongside any exterior shows.

At Four x Three x 0.5in, the Sign 4K30 is compact and straightforward to stow. It’s bigger than a deck of playing cards (save for the peak) however simply smaller than a passport. Match it anyplace in your desk or pack it up in a backpack pocket for protected travels—dimension and portability are positively successful areas for this seize card.

The Best Capture Cards of 2022

Greatest Seize Card General

AVerMedia Dwell Gamer 4K

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$189.99
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Greatest Funds Seize Card

Elgato HD60 S+

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$170.32
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Greatest Inside Seize Card

Elgato 4K60 Professional MK.2

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$231.53
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Greatest Exterior Seize Card

Elgato 4K60 S+

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Greatest 4K Seize Card

AVerMedia Dwell Gamer Bolt

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$299.99
 

Greatest Seize Card for Streaming

AVerMedia Dwell Gamer Duo

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$218.66
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Efficiency: True to the Field

NZXT is aware of the right way to ship on fashion, however how does the Sign 4K30’s efficiency match up? Right here’s the quick reply: nicely.

I recorded numerous video games (particularly Escape from Tarkov, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Pink Useless Redemption 2) on a 2-PC setup at a few the accessible resolutions (the figures in parentheses characterize refresh charges):

• 3840x2160p (30, 25hz)
• 2560x1440p (60, 50, 30, 25hz)
• 1920x1080p (120, 60, 50, 30, 25hz)
• 720p (60, 50, 30, 25hz)
• 576p (50, 25hz)
• 480p (60, 30hz)

I selected to document in 4K 30hz (3840x2160p 30) and 1920x1080p 60hz. Sometimes, 1080p60 is probably the most you’ll want for a successful Twitch stream; however if you happen to want 4K video, this card can actually deal with it. Plus, with HDMI passthrough, you’ll be able to recreation at increased resolutions than the cardboard data. For example, if you wish to discover the wilderness of Pink Useless Redemption 2 (RDR2) in 4K in your display screen whereas streaming to your viewers in 1080p, you are able to do so with none additional legwork.

Word: We captured the above 1920×1080 gameplay at 60hz.

I didn’t expertise any noticeable drops in efficiency; I used to be hitting my typical 50-60 FPS in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order whereas capturing a 1080p60 recording with seemingly no added lag. In fact, it’d be good to seize 4K footage in 60 FPS, however a constant 30 comes out clean within the recording, and the sharp, vibrant look of gaming in 4K covers a mess of sins.

One factor to notice is that I didn’t check the Sign 4K30 with an exterior digital camera (like a face cam for streaming), which may spell bother for audio/video syncing on some playing cards. If this subject occurs to current itself (nothing leads me to imagine it might), it may well usually be mounted within the software program you utilize for streaming or recording.

Ought to You Purchase the NZXT Sign 4K30?

In the event you’re out there for a seize card to finish your content material creation loadout, I can advocate the NZXT Signal 4K30 for its ease of use, fashionable design, and efficiency at its value level.

Nevertheless, there are just a few instances through which you shouldn’t purchase the Sign 4K30. In the event you don’t plan on recording any 4K footage, this card is overkill. Take a look at the Sign HD60 as an alternative; it has all of the efficiency you want with $40 taken off the highest. Additionally, be sure you truly need a capture card—if you happen to’re simply planning to document a single PC display screen, you virtually actually don’t.

As a substitute, the Razer Ripsaw is barely extra inexpensive and options 3.5mm audio jacks for easy sound administration. You might also wish to contemplate other capture cards and decide if an inner card would higher fit your wants.

You’ll be able to decide up the Sign 4K30 right this moment for $179.99 or its HD60 counterpart for $139.99.

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