We consider a external sdi capture card to be a worthy investment in the long run. Let’s take you step by step, type by type, and find the best external sdi capture card for you.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Elgato External Sdi Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best For Ipad: Buy: Elgato Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best For Good Quality: Buy: Startech External Sdi Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best With Encoder: Buy: Blackmagic Design Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best For Many Other Things: Buy: Blackmagic Design External Sdi Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best For Pretty Much Plug: Buy: Sdtnova External Sdi Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best For Dslr: Buy: Mokose External Sdi Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best For Mic Input: Buy: Groza External Sdi Capture Card READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Elgato External Sdi Capture Card

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The look and feel of these cards are consistent with the high quality we're used to from the rest of Elgato's lineup. The Elgato External Sdi Capture Card is expensive and it does the job. With cam link 4k, use your DSLR, camcorder or action cam as a professional webcam on your PC or mac. Also, the card is great for live broadcasting and it works fine.

Above all, the elgato external sdi capture card works as expected, works perfectly and it is suitable for video recording.

Almost all buyers found that the card is a more compact video capture. In addition, they also found that the card is not acceptable for live streaming. In addition, they strongly agree that this is a passthrough device that would use hdmi and usb as input / output.

• This works with Canon m50 plus it works well with a 4k camera.
• This works well for compatible devices and it is easy to store.
• Your camera has never felt more powerful.
• This is not for console capturing purposes.

Best For Ipad: Elgato Capture Card

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The Elgato Capture Card might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. The elgato capture card is perfect for game play, has poor software and it is highly recommend. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Further, the card is used for system requirements, is best for high refresh rate, it is good for very low latency and has a portable design.

Finally, the elgato capture card is suitable for wii u, its quality is great and it is ideal for best quality.

Most customers agree that the card can be used in laptop gameplay as long as you have enough usb ports available. And, a few also found that the card is where its best stream quality and camera. is. Moreover, a few strongly agree that this card would have the same capabilities as the 4k60 pro but also support hdr10 and comes at a lower price tag. To sum up, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

• It has excellent capture quality, but that's about it.
• They have a full list of recommended specs on their website.
• This worked flawlessly, can handle the frame rate and it works fine.
• This is a "punchy" edit that approximates the footage decently without looking too cartoony.

Best For Good Quality: Startech External Sdi Capture Card

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If you often find yourself confused about the appropriate and satisfactory card, Startech External Sdi Capture Card should be your first option for buying. The startech external sdi capture card is great for analog signals, looks great, it comes with components or composite and has a compact design. With multiple a/v input options, you can capture from a wide variety of sources including hdmi, dvi, vga, and component. This device works specifically with USB 3.0 windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, vista, xp, is directshow compatible, and is incompatible with asmedia and Etron usb 3.0 host controllers.

Most importantly, the startech external sdicapture card is progressive and it is great for decent quality.

Most buyers find that the card comes with software called "streamcatcher" which is able to display, record, and stream your video input. Moreover, a few also found that the card has next to no delay, about as much as a regular hdtv. Also, a few say that the card is great for capturing a camera or other hdmi camera. In short, for most buyers, it was what they were looking for.

• This will work with obs on windows however.
• This has not blue screened in the middle of a capture...yet.
• This comes with all the cables, cd or driver download link.
• This works for wii u, is built with great quality and it is very nice.

Best With Encoder: Blackmagic Design Capture Card

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Blackmagic Design line of cards comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Blackmagic Design Capture Card is cost effective and it can be bought for good value. It features high quality connections so you get pristine video and audio along with compatibility for working with the widest range of professional sdi equipment. In addition, it is perfect for media play-out systems, multi screen digital signage servers, real - time multi channel capture systems and more.

Finally, the blackmagic design capture card is great for crisp video feeds, is expensive and it sees what happens.

Almost all buyers agree that the card has great support response. And, a few say that the card is a full - size 4 lane pcie card. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the card is a great solution in combination with a thunderbolt 3 enclosure. In short, many have used the card for more than a few months without letup, and it shows no sign of giving up.

• This works for hd-sdi (serial digital interface) hdvparts.
• This design is nailing it with the duo2 cards.
• This is designed for low latency, not bandwidth conservation.
• This is a great device for the pricer.

Best For Many Other Things: Blackmagic Design External Sdi Capture Card

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The features department is where Blackmagic design external sdi capturecard truly manages to shine. The Blackmagic Design External Sdi Capture Card lasts forever, works for Thunderbolt 3 cable, It is intuitive and has a good design. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. And, it is affordable and it works fine. Finally, the blackmagic design externalsdi capture card works as advertised, works perfectly, it has for many other things and has a compact design.

Almost all buyers agree that the card is thunderbolt 3 but you can use an Apple 3 to 2 adapter. Moreover, they also found that the card does work, but blackmagic really cheaps out here. Also, they also found that this device supports most hdmi signals with embedded audio up to 1080/60p.

• This is accidentally opened (yeah right), the device actually rattled.
• Audio inputs - sdi x 16, hdmi x 8; channels embedded in sd/hd.
• The PC uses a usb 4 cable, or you have an adapter.
• This will be good if you need an uncompress signal.

Best For Pretty Much Plug: Sdtnova External Sdi Capture Card

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The Sdtnova External Sdi Capture Card's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The sdtnova external sdi capture card is expensive and it is great for low power. USB external hdmi sdi usb3.0 video capture card for graphics capture, live streaming, recording on your laptop, PC. The HD video capturecard can support HDCP 1080p with 60fps, , UVC compatible video capture, yuv422 video output. It works great for game live streaming.

The card can auto detect input video format usb 3. Most importantly, the sdtnova external sdicapture card is easy to setup, no need to install a driver.

Most buyers agree that the card is well built and feels pretty solid, so it won’t damage easily during transport for use in multiple locations. Also, they say that the card features are excellent when using this device. Further, they also found that the device itself is super simple to set up and get running, with little to no knowledge. In short, at the price, they believe that they got a steal of a deal with it.

• This has support live streaming and it can handle frame rates.
• This is also very stylishly designed.
• This is suitable for high speed transmission and it is highly recommended.
• This works well for power consumption and it is used for live broadcasts.

Best For Dslr: Mokose External Sdi Capture Card

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Next on the list, we've got yet another card that manages to win our hearts. It's the Mokose External Sdi Capture Card and it's widely considered as the card that has the most suitable features. The mokose externalsdi capture card is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, Linux, OS x (mac) operating systems. It is a pro usb external hdmi video capture grabber card device for graphics capture, live streaming, recording on your laptop, pc. In addition, it is made for very low latency and it is very nice.

The card is affordable and it is great for a great price. Finally, the mokose external sdi capture card is great for video production and it is great for user manual.

Most buyers agree that the card does not scale or convert sdi to hdmi. And, a few say that the card is recognized immediately by the vmix program. Moreover, a few say that the card works well on vmix. To add to that, it is incredibly easy to use. Overall, most customers found the card suited them best, and no one questioned it.

• This is compatible with hdmi audio capture and audio output, supports hdmi input hdmi output.
• This is suitable for wii u, can handle frame rate and it is reliable.
• This works like a charm and it is expensive.
• This worked flawlessly and it is made for a low cost.

Best For Mic Input: Groza External Sdi Capture Card

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Groza makes beautiful and great cards with classic and smartly chosen materials. The Groza External Sdi Capture Card is compatible with windows, Linux, OS x operating systems. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Also, the card can handle frame rate, works well for mic input and it is suitable for windows.

The card is great for user manual and it works for video recording. Above all, the groza external sdi capture card is compatible with most live streaming platform.s.

• Once plugged in, the device is identified automatically as a webcam.
• This can capture one 3g-sdi input, output hdmi 1080p and usb 1080p60 signals.
• This can capture one single channel of video signals.
• This has support mic input and it is compatible with multiple systems.