A capture card turns a console into a source in OBS. The picture quality depends on three settings: passthrough mode, colour range and the console's own output.
Connect the console to the card's **HDMI in**, set the console to **1080p60** with matching **RGB range**, then add the card in OBS as a **Video Capture Device** at the native resolution.
Many affordable cards pass 4K30 through but capture only 1080p60, or vice versa. Look up the exact model before you set expectations or buy cables.
Console HDMI out goes into the card, and the passthrough output goes to the TV. The card is the source in OBS, not a display.
Console > HDMI in > Card > HDMI out > TVSet the console to the same RGB range the card expects, usually Full on modern hardware. A mismatch looks like washed-out blacks or crushed shadows, not like a broken cable.
Console: RGB range Full / LimitedCreate a **Video Capture Device** source, pick the card by name and set the resolution and frame rate explicitly instead of using default or highest available.
Sources > + > Video Capture DeviceCapture audio through the card if the console output carries it; use a separate chat capture if you want party voice. Two sources for one stream need one delay figure.
Use NVENC at CQP 18 to 20 or x264 at a high bitrate for a local recording. A 1080p60 recording at 30 Mbit/s needs about 13 GB per hour.
Output > Recording > CQP 18HDCP is active on the source, or the card is on a USB 2 port. Use a source without protection and a blue USB 3 port.
The card is saturating the USB link. Lower the capture resolution or move it to a port on a different controller.
Add a sync offset on the capture source in milliseconds and test with a clap on camera.
The RGB range differs between preview and encoder. Set both to Full or both to Limited.
Only if you want zero-latency play on the TV. Without it you play through the OBS preview and accept the delay.
For 4K60 or HDR recording yes. For 1080p60 streaming, a mid-range card is indistinguishable.
Remove the source in OBS and unplug the card. The console returns to a direct HDMI connection with no settings changed on it.
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