AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini, 1080p60 Capture Card with HDMI Pass-Thru, Plug & Play, for OBS, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, Win 11/macOS 12 (GC311)

As the go-to IT person in my Church congregation, I was asked to set up a live stream during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. I purchased a Canon Vixia HF R800 video camera and hoped to pair it with an Elgato Camlink. However, the Camlink was impossible to find anywhere, so I settled for Live Gamer Mini. In conducting my research prior to purchase, the reviews I read on the device varied. However, my experience with this device was great. To get my stream onto the internet, I am using a Windows 10 laptop running OBS. I connected my camera to the Live Gamer Mini and the Mini to my computer. It worked flawlessly the first time. Windows recognized the device. It was not necessary to download and install any drivers. While I do not know how this device compares to others, it works great for our intended purposes. I would highly recommend this to someone who is getting started in live streaming and is looking to save some money over similar Elgato devices.

The media could not be loaded. After having so many problems with my past capture card, and endless videos on YouTube trying to figure out why I couldn’t get sound on my stream, I went ahead and bought this. And AS SOON AS I PLUGGED IT IN , it worked PERFECTLY! The video is nice and crisp, the audio works AMAZING! Installation was a breeze ! I stream on a Mac, and this works perfect! Im so happy!

The Avermedia Gamer Mini is a great capture card for someone like me who just wants to screen-share with a Nintendo Switch. I wanted to stream to let my long-distance friend watch via Discord screen share. Works GREAT for that with OBS Studio.The good: Not much lag - a fraction of a second at most. The picture quality is fantastic. I actually noticed the colors and frame rate were better even on my TV when it was connected to the capture card. I was in love with it. It didn't interrupt game play at all, motion was smooth, everything was going well.UNTIL...The bad:It got unplugged by accident and everything went downhill. The MicroUSB cord from the capture card to the computer came loose, which didn't SEEM like it should've been a big deal. But it turned off the capture card mid-gameplay and apparently that was a huge issue. After that, my computer wouldn't recognize the device at all. After HOURS of researching, troubleshooting, and downloading Avermedia's management software (which wouldn't recognize the device either), it RANDOMLY started working again. But then it started only working for an hour or so before cutting out and stopping my stream. And now it won't work at all. It just gives me a blue flashing light (which is supposed to mean it's downloadibg firmware or something, but I get no notification on my computer and it never finishes the process, apparently) and no preview on OBS Studio. So, it's no longer functional. Which coincidentally happened one month after the 12-month warranty expired.My friend has one who hasn't had any of these issues. So apparently they're hit or miss.Bottom line: If you need it for basic functions, it's great. It's not the most advanced thing on the market, but it works. For about the length of the warranty.

As an avid gamer, I can confidently say that the AVerMedia GC551G2 Game Capture Card is a reliable companion for next-gen console enthusiasts who want to capture and stream their gameplay effortlessly. The 4K HDR pass-through feature ensures that the visual quality of my games remains stunning, even when I'm recording or streaming at a lower resolution. It's a game-changer for content creators like me.One aspect that impressed me the most is the high frame rate (HFR) support. It delivers incredibly smooth and fluid motion during recordings and streams, making the gameplay look incredibly immersive. There's no jarring or stuttering, even during fast-paced action scenes. It truly elevates the viewing experience for my audience.Setting up the GC551G2 was a breeze. With its multiple input options, including HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0, connecting it to my Xbox Series X was quick and hassle-free. The user-friendly software provided by AVerMedia made the entire process straightforward, and I was able to start recording and streaming in no time. The software's compatibility with popular streaming platforms allowed me to effortlessly share my gaming adventures with my audience.Another great feature of the GC551G2 is its audio mixing capabilities. Being able to balance the game audio and my microphone input right within the capture card itself was a huge convenience. It gave me more control over my streams and recordings, ensuring that my voice was clear and balanced with the game sounds.What truly sets the AVerMedia GC551G2 apart is its competitive price. It offers excellent value for gamers on a budget who still want a reliable and feature-packed capture card. The performance and features it provides easily rival some of the higher-priced options on the market.Lastly, I must mention the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support. This feature synchronizes the refresh rate of my captured footage with the frame rate of the game, resulting in tear-free recordings and streams. The smoothness it brings to the table is impressive, enhancing the overall quality of my content.In conclusion, the AVerMedia GC551G2 Game Capture Card is a dependable choice for next-gen console gamers seeking seamless gameplay recording and streaming. With its impressive 4K HDR pass-through, HFR support, low latency, and versatile features like audio mixing and VRR, it delivers exceptional performance. The user-friendly setup and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for gamers looking to create content without breaking the bank.