IOGEAR Upstream 4K Recreation Seize Card specs
Passthrough Help: 4K@60 FPS, 2560x1440p@60 FPS, 1920x1080p@ 120 FPS, 1280x720p@60 FPS, 1280x720p@60 FPS
File & Streaming Help: 4K@30 FPS, 2560x1440p@60 FPS, 1920x1080p@ 120 FPS, 1280x720p@60 FPS, 1280x720p@60 FPS
Ports: USB-C, HDMI-in, HDMI out, 3.5mm audio x2 Dimension: 1.7 x 0.9 x 0.66 inches
Weight: 3.2 ounces
In a market dominated by Elgato and AverMedia merchandise, there are nonetheless a couple of firms that, on occasion, put one thing on the market that is price testing. This time, IOGEAR launched its newest seize card geared toward avid gamers and streamers: the UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card with Celebration Chat Mixer. IOGEAR reached out to me and requested if I needed to take a look at the system, and I agreed. Each time an organization that is not extensively recognized for one thing steps out of its consolation zone, it is price seeing what they’re making an attempt to do.
IOGEAR UpStream 4k Recreation Seize Card value and availability
The IOGEAR UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card is $129.95 and contains a USB-A to USB-C cable, an HDMI cable, and a 3.5mm cable.
That’s a stable worth in comparison with 4K seize playing cards from rivals that sometimes begin at round $200.
IOGEAR UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card system necessities
To make use of the UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card, you will want a PC or laptop computer that meets the next necessities:
- Home windows 10 or 11 w/ UVC help
- Mac OS X (10.2.x or later) w/ UVC help
- One accessible USB-A port, USB 3.1, is required for 4K Seize.
- Desktop: Intel Core i5-6xxx CPU and above (or AMD equal) + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU and above(or AMD equal)
Laptop computer: Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU and above (or AMD equal) + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU and above (or AMD equal) - RAM: 8GB or extra
IOGEAR Upstream 4K Recreation Seize Card ports
On the entrance of the system are devoted 3.5mm ports for separating the sport audio and celebration chat, a USB-C port, and an LED displaying when the system is powered on, recording, or streaming. To the rear are the HDMI enter and output ports.
I had no points utilizing the seize card on both my desktop PC or my laptop computer. I did not have entry to a Mac-based system, so I couldn’t take a look at its claimed macOS compatibility, however Mac homeowners aren’t possible the first viewers for this gaming seize card anyway. I may report and stream from my PlayStation 5 to my PC and laptop computer with no points. All the pieces labored as supposed.
It’s additionally transportable sufficient you can slide it right into a backpack or denims pocket for ease of transport. The UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card with Celebration Chat Mixer options as much as 2160p@60Hz HDR passthrough help, with recording/capturing help as much as 4K@30 FPS. It additionally helps 1440p@144hz and 1080p@240Hz, which is good news for anybody planning on utilizing this on both the Xbox Sequence X|S or PS5, as these consoles additionally help 1440p@120Hz.
Omitted is the flexibility to report at 4K@60 FPS, which might have been good to have. Nonetheless, given the value level, it’s anticipated. To place issues in perspective, the most cost effective exterior seize card in the marketplace that does help 4K@60 FPS begins at $350, practically twice the value of the UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card. Including to that, for many avid gamers and content material creators, 4K@30 FPS remains to be viable. Whereas web sites reminiscent of YouTube help the decision, the quantity of bandwidth required to look at 4K, not to mention 4K@60 FPS, leaves you with a comparatively restricted viewers
By way of driver help, since this helps UVC on Home windows 10 or 11 gadgets, it is plug and plug. Getting a sign was so simple as connecting the USB-C cable to my PC, and the system was acknowledged. Nonetheless, the title is complicated because it’s proven as “GUV302G UVC”. I do want IOGEAR gave the system a extra recognizable title, and I am certain this may trigger befuddlement for some.
This seize card can be splendid for many who need to report footage and discuss to pals by way of celebration chat, because it solves the annoying console celebration chat dilemma. Throughout my testing, I solely needed to join my controller to the twin 3.5mm ports, and I used to be chatting.
IOGEAR UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card efficiency
After all, what good is a seize system if the efficiency allows you to down? I am pleased to report that the IOGEAR UpStream 4K would not disappoint. I’ve used this rather than higher-end seize gadgets, and I discovered the efficiency to be on par each in recording footage and live-streaming.
There’s a slight delay, round 50ms, which did not have an effect on my gameplay, as I performed by a number of video games, together with Elden Ring, Cult of the Lamb, and Marvel’s Spider-Man. When evaluating the footage I captured, I used to be hard-pressed to search out any variations between these recorded from the IOGEAR system and people from my AverMedia and Elgato gadgets.
Missed Alternatives
Whereas Elgato and AverMedia have developed and supported their very own seize software program for his or her gadgets, IOGEAR doesn’t. Which I really feel is a missed alternative. On the identical time, the UpStream 4k Recreation Seize Card does work with most accessible seize software program in the marketplace. I used to be in a position to make use of a number of variants of OBS Studio, XSplit Broadcaster, and some different lesser-known purposes. All of them labored wonderful, although I encountered some points when assigning the audio enter by way of HDMI.
There is no quantity management adjustment on the system, leaving you to make use of the software program on the PC/laptop computer or when you’ve got one in your controller. This can be a critical omission, particularly in case you’re advertising and marketing a tool with celebration chat help. Having a built-in quantity management is a should.
The USB-C port that powers the system positioned within the entrance can be higher served on the rear. The place it’s at present, provides yet another cable than wanted on the entrance. It additionally means the cable has to bend barely.
Maybe essentially the most important missed alternative is the dearth of VRR or Variable Charge Refresh help. Most individuals who buy exterior seize gadgets are doing so for his or her ease of usability with gaming consoles. With the Xbox Sequence X|S supporting this know-how since its launch and the PlayStation 5 now supporting the display tearing know-how, it might trigger IOGEAR’s providing to be neglected.
Backside line
IOGEAR positively has one thing worthwhile with the UpStream 4K Recreation Seize Card with Celebration Chat Mixer. The standard is on par with something that AverMedia and Elgato supply on the $129.95 value level.
The dearth of advertising and marketing, retail availability and VRR help are all components that can maintain the UpStream 4K again. There’s barely any promoting for the UpStream 4k Recreation Seize Card with Celebration Chat Mixer. You possibly can’t discover them in any native electronics or gaming shops like Finest Purchase, GameStop, and even Microcenter. I do know; I checked. As an alternative, in all places you flip your head, it is all Elgato and AverMedia, which makes this a tough promote.
The dearth of VRR help might bitter those that need to play both on the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Sequence X|S, and have entry to the display tearing know-how.
Nonetheless, the UpStream 4k Recreation Seize Card with Celebration Chat Mixer should not be neglected in case you’re on the lookout for a low-cost but efficient seize system.
