AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 Capture Card Review

While most video game capture technology has reached a certain level of parity, there are still a few frontiers left for leaders in the space to aim for. For some, it is Display Port capture, but most content creators have been waiting for a capture card that supports HDMI 2.1 in order to get the most out of their current-gen gameplay experience regardless of whether they are on PC or console. AVerMedia is the first to answer that call with the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 external USB-C capture card.

As the name suggests, the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is the first external capture card from a major manufacturer to support HDMI 2.1 passthrough. A few years ago that might not have been as valuable, but now, HDMI 2.1 is practically essential for any capture devices moving forward. So, props are already due AVerMedia for being first, but equally, the company deserves recognition for doing everything right.

Why Are HDMI 2.1 Capture Cards So Important?

The big question of why HDMI 2.1 is so important comes down to the output of the current generation of consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S), graphics cards, and input on TVs. On the output side, these new gaming devices are capable of delivering up to 4K 120Hz (for consoles) or 4K 240+Hz (for PC) video signals, which is a big ask for passthrough. Some capture devices could meet some of the expectations, but there was always a shortcoming or two where the consoles were concerned. Without HDMI 2.1, the capture device couldn’t hit both 4K 120Hz, and HDR, and support VRR on the passthrough side. Creators needed to accept a lower visual experience on their end, even though the most they could output to the average streaming platform was 1080p 60Hz (or 1440p on some platforms).

Those content creators also lost out on the benefit of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which is like Vsync for UHD TVs. It basically smooths out the frame rate of a game on the fly so that it looks smoother on the panel than it would without. VRR eliminates that screen tearing that can happen when the refresh rate of a TV and a game console aren’t in sync.

So even though many console games can’t reach beyond 4K60, being able to take advantage of VRR is still a big selling point for HDMI 2.1 support and why the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is worth investing in. It ticks all the expected boxes beyond that, though, by supporting up to 4K 144Hz passthrough when using a HDMI 2.1 compatible graphics card like an Nvidia 4080 or AMD’s 7800 XT. Capture is limited to 4K60, but that is still the standard and likely to be that way unless bit rates improve on content platforms and download/upload speeds get an all-around bump. For the average gamer/content creator now, though, they shouldn’t be losing any graphic fidelity while playing, and their content should be crisp and smooth.

Honestly, the selling point is the HDMI 2.1 capture capability and everything else is icing on top. AVerMedia has designed the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 with an RGB array on the front that is customizable or capable of syncing with some RGB devices. It also includes two 4-pole 3.5mm jacks, one for a headset and another for a gamepad. RGB is a nice touch for those who like to fully customize their setup, but aside from that it’s a fairly straightforward setup. Users will want to ensure they have a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port available to ensure perfect compatibility, but that’s about the biggest ask from the device.

AVerMedia does provide software that works with the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 to handle things like RGB customization, input and output volume, and configuring the video source. One nice touch with the software is that it can switch down to 2.0 if there are some compatibility issues with a monitor or TV. It’s useful for situations where HDMI 2.1 isn’t an option, and prevents users from having to keep multiple capture cards around.

Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 Specs

• Max Passthrough: 2160p144 HDR/VRR, 1440p144 HDR/VRR, 1080p240 HDR/VRR (1440p244 HDR/VRR, 1080p360 HDR/VRR will be added later this month)
• Size: 4.72 x 2.76 x 1.09 in.
• Weight: 115 g

The HDMI 2.1 capture card generation is here and there is something to be said for AVerMedia being the first out of the gate. Without any noticeable hiccups in the design or compatibility with software like OBS, the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is currently the external capture card to beat for content creators. Admittedly, the value of HDMI 2.1 correlates to higher-end tech, but that tech is now becoming more and more ubiquitous. Where it felt like a luxury to have an HDMI 2.1 port on a TV, now they are becoming standard.

Of course, the biggest hurdle for most is going to be price, and at $299, the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is quite the investment. There are some pros and cons to weigh as far as how valuable the highest frame rate and resolution are while streaming or recording gameplay. Those who want to get the best possible experience from an external capture card, however, have their answer.

AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1

This high-performance capture card leverages the power of HDMI 2.1 technology, offering uncompromising video quality with up to 4K144 pass-through HDR/VRR, and ensuring that every moment of the gameplay is transmitted with stunning clarity and fluidity. Additionally, it supports up to 4K60 capture, providing streamers with the option of capturing their memorable gaming moments in pristine clarity.

Max Passthrough Resolution

2160p144 HDR/VRR

Max Capture Resolution

2160p60

Interface

USB-C 3.2 Gen 2

Package Includes

LIVE GAMER ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2), HDMI 2.1 Cable, USB Type-C to Type-C Cable, 4-Pole 3.5mm Audio Cable

Pros

• HDMI 2.1 is the future of capture cards
• Support for tons of resolutions/frame rates
• Easy to setup and use

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is available now for $299.99. Game Rant was provided a unit for this review.