By sjj_admin Originally published as part of a larger article on GameOnAus.com in Dec 2021
For the budding streamer, getting a HDMI capture card can be an expensive proposition. The more recognisable brands can go for hundreds of dollars. So when a friend showed me the Genki Shadowcast on KIckstarter starting at the very reasonable backing price of US$39 I was at first a little skeptical but I figured for that price I’d be willing to give it a shot.
I was glad I did. It’s a very solid entry into the HDMI capture market. A plug and play device that doesn’t require any drivers, the Genki Shadowcast has its own app so you can watch what you’re playing on your PC or you can choose to add it as a source in OBS directly. It can be used to capture any HDMI input, from the latest consoles to cameras with HDMI outputs, making it a very versatile device.
Being an entry level product, It does have limits. While it can take inputs at 4K/30FPS and 1080p/60FPS, it can only output at 1080p/30FPS or 720p/60FPS. The Shadowcast takes a USB-C input and comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable so if you’re PC doesn’t have a USB-C port you’ll need to grab a standard USB to USB-C cable (not a big deal). There’s also only one output so you can’t display it on your PC and a TV, although that can also be remedied with a HDMI spliter.
Overall the Genki Shadowcast is an amazing entry level product that won’t break the bank and a great gift for someone starting out as a streamer or just wanting to capture HDMI video.