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Works Right Out of the Box! (TL:DR Below)
As a competitive Splatoon player, I needed a way to broadcast and screenshare gameplay from my Switch without compromising quality or audio. With the 4k Pro, I can bring my gameplay to my pc in full quality! Passthrough provides a lag-free experience, which surprised me since I am very sensitive to slight delays in my inputs; I felt no additional perceivable latency in passthrough. However, there is very noticeable delay when you play through the Utility software (10-30ms); this comes to no surprise though, as the incoming video signal must be re-encoded again before it can be displayed on your pc. If you're playing games that require as little latency as possible, play through passthrough.Installation was very simple: I located the pcie x16 slot on my motherboard (although x4 and x8 also work), unscrewed the chassis bracket, slotted in the capture card, and screwed it in. No additional usb power needed! I installed the 4k Capture Utility beforehand, so it worked instantly, although a slight detection delay can occur, this typically lasts 5-10 seconds before your signal is displayed. No biggie.One of the biggest benefits I've noticed from the 4k Pro is that I can be in a call on Discord with my friends while hearing my game audio through the relay in the capture utility software. Please note that there will be a very slight delay in audio from the Utility (because re-encoding) However, in my experience the delay is acceptable given that it is only the audio that I am sampling through the Utility while playing through passthrough. My estimation on the Utility software delay is around 10-30 milliseconds, which is comparable to playing on an older TV; not ideal for competitive games, but it can be palatable for some in a pinch.Video signal: The signal is very true-to-console as in the raw output of the console itself is being captured. Meaning that contrast and brightness is exactly as your console manufacturer intended.Software: the 4k Pro uses it's respective 4k Capture Utility which is a very simple and useful software. In the suite, you have access to custom video color settings for your gameplay, audio adjustment (including the console microphone if yours has one) a capture library; which houses your recordings and clips, and a fair bit of encoding and bitrate options similar to OBS. Speaking of OBS, it integrates perfectly with it, allowing your captured signal to be displayed easily with your applied settings. OBS isn't entirely necessary however, since you can record and take screenshots in the Utility software. Recordings can be as long as your storage allows! There is also a Flashback mode, which allows you to take clips from your past recordings, this allows easy access to highlights or other cool moments in your gameplay that you'd like to have separate from the entire recording. Please note that flashback has a maximum recording time of 4 hours.Compatibility: The Nintendo Switch works flawlessly with the capture card as previously stated. I assume every other console/PC works the same so long as it outputs via HDMI. I would still scout for other reviews that specify your specific console though. As for motherboard support, this requires a bit of technical know-how as you need to ensure that you have at least one spare PCIe x4, x8, or x16 slot in your motherboard. Please note that the card will not work with a pcie x1 slot as there are too many pins on the capture card.In conclusion, I am very satisfied with my purchase as it solved several headaches I had while trying to voice call with my friends and play Splatoon at the same time. It has great options in the Utility software, works well for beginners, and makes streaming, screensharing, and recording a breeze! 5/5 Stars for me since it fills my needs stupendously![TL:DR] The 4k Pro is a great capture card for the Nintendo Switch, allowing smooth, crisp gameplay with no delay on the passthrough mode. However, there is a 10-30ms delay if you play through the 4k Capture Utility software. Installation is quite easy! Just make sure you have a spare pcie x4, x8, or x16 slot on your motherboard! It also has flawless OBS and Discord integration! Don't forget to install the 4k Capture Utility software before you install the card to make life way easier!Ver másVer menos
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