How to Capture HDMI in OBS: A Step-by-Step Guide

HDMI capture is about capturing a video signal from an external source through an HDMI connection. Then, it turns the signals into a stream or recording on your computer system. It is used for recording the gameplay, streaming lectures, saving videos from cameras, and archiving videos from consoles. In fact, some people use it to use their camera as a webcam. This is because capturing the HDMI helps bridge the gap between your source devices and streaming setup. For this reason, we are sharing this guide to help you capture HDMI. It also includes the hardware requirements and setting up in OBS.

Part 1: What You Need Before Capturing HDMI

Before diving in, you'll need the right hardware and software to work smoothly. Here are the essential components:

1. HDMI capture card (USB, PCIe, internal, or external)

Capture cards come in various types. USB ones are external and more portable, while PCIe cards are internal and often offer lower latency and potentially higher bandwidth. The choice depends on your source resolution/framerate (1080p60, 4K60, etc.), the ports available on your computer, and your budget.

2. Source device (camera, computer, set-top box, console, etc.)

The device produces HDMI output, such as a DSLR or mirrorless camera, game console (PS5, Xbox), streaming box, etc. Sometimes, you need "clean HDMI output" from the camera (i.e., no overlays, status info on screen) if you want a professional look.

3. HDMI cable

Quality matters. For 1080p60, almost any decent HDMI cable will do; for 4K60, HDR, or high frame rates, get one rated for HDMI 2.0 or 2.1, depending on what your hardware supports.

4. Recording/streaming software

Recording/streaming software such as OBS Studio, VLC, Streamlabs, etc.OBS Studio is one of the most popular because it's free, flexible, and cross-platform. Other options include Streamlabs, proprietary software with your capture card, or simpler tools like QuickTime (on Mac) for basic capture.

5. A computer with sufficient performance

The CPU, GPU, and RAM requirements depend on the resolution/frame rate you want to capture, as well as whether you'll need to encode (stream) in real-time. You also need sufficient disk space for recordings. Lastly, if you are using external capture, you should have good USB ports (USB 3.0 / USB-C).

Part 2: How to Capture HDMI in OBS

Here are the detailed steps tested with OBS Studio on Windows. If you follow these, you should be able to get a good HDMI capture.

Step 1: Connect the HDMI source device to the capture card

Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI Out port of your source (camera, console, etc.).

Plug the other end into the HDMI In port of the capture card.

Step 2: Plug the capture card into your computer

If external USB: use a USB port that supports sufficient bandwidth.

If the card is internal PCIe, insert it into a free PCIe slot, secure it properly, and install any required drivers.

Step 3: Launch the OBS studio

Open OBS. If you haven't installed it yet, download from obsproject.com and install.

Step 4: Add a new video source

In OBS, in the Scenes panel, select or create a scene (e.g., "HDMI Capture").

In the Sources panel, click "+" → select Video Capture Device.

Give it a name like "HDMI Capture Card" and click OK.

Step 5: Adjust your settings

In the new video source properties, choose your capture card under Device.

Set the resolution (e.g., 1920×1080) and frame rate (30 fps or 60 fps, depending on what your source supports).

If there's a setting for input format or color range/color space, match what your source uses (e.g., "Auto", "NV12", etc.).

Also, check audio: if the capture card carries audio, add an Audio Input Capture source (or use the audio settings in the same device) and choose the card as the audio device.

Step 6: Configure OBS settings for output and encoding

Go to Settings → Video. Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to match your source or desired output (1920×1080). Set the Output (Scaled) Resolution (if you want to downscale). Set FPS in the Video tab.

Under Settings → Output, configure recording or streaming: encoder (software or hardware, e.g., NVENC, x264), bitrate, and format (MP4/MKV, etc.).

For streaming, configure your streaming service (YouTube, Twitch, etc.) by clicking the key in Settings → Stream.

Step 7: Start Recording or Streaming

Once you're happy with the preview in OBS, click Start Recording or Start Streaming.

Ensure everything looks right: video is smooth, audio is synced, and there is no major lag or dropped frames.

Step 8: Save captured files

When recording ends, use Stop Recording. OBS will save to the specified path (in Settings → Output → Recording).

Review the capture and make any edits (trim, correct color, etc.).

Part 3: Tips for High-Quality HDMI Capture

To get the best possible results, these are some important tips:

1. Use a High-Quality HDMI Cable

Always use an HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable when capturing high-resolution (4K) or high-frame-rate (60fps and above) video. Poor or outdated cables often cause signal loss, flickering, or sudden dropouts during capture.

2. Match Resolution and Frame Rate

Your source device and capture card must support the same resolution and frame rate. For example, if your source only outputs 1080p30, you cannot record 1080p60 or 4K60. Check compatibility before starting to avoid wasted setup time.

3. Optimize Computer Performance

Close unnecessary background programs to free up CPU and GPU resources. Make sure you are using high-bandwidth ports (USB 3.0 or USB-C) for external capture cards. A leaner system means smoother, lag-free HDMI capture.

4. Choose the Right Bitrate and Format

• Recording Format: Use MKV (OBS default) for reliability. MKV protects your recording even if the software crashes, and you can later convert ("remux") to MP4.
• Bitrate: A higher bitrate improves quality but produces larger files. For streaming, pick a bitrate your upload speed can handle without buffering.
• Encoder: Use hardware encoders (GPU or dedicated chips) when possible; they reduce CPU load. Software (CPU) encoding works too, but can strain your system.

5. Sync Audio Properly

Test your setup to ensure audio and video remain in sync. Latency mismatches can cause drifting, which is distracting for viewers. OBS allows you to adjust sync offsets if needed.

6. Improve Your Lighting

If you're capturing from a camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or webcam), lighting is just as important as resolution. Proper lighting reduces noise, sharpens details, and ensures your HDMI capture looks professional without requiring heavy post-processing.

Part 4: FAQs About Capture HDMI

1. How to capture HDMI output?

You can do this by using an HDMI capture card. The HDMI cable carries the output from the source device to the capture card, sending video/audio data to your computer. In software like OBS, you add that capture card as a "Video Capture Device" source.

2. Do you need an HDMI capture card?

If you want to record or stream video from external devices (camera, console, set-top box) that output via HDMI, yes. Without one, you typically can't bring that HDMI signal into the computer.

3. Do all USB-C ports support HDMI?

No. USB-C is just a connector form. If your USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode or has a dedicated HDMI output, then yes. But many USB-C ports are just data + power and don't transmit video without special support.

Conclusion

Capturing HDMI can seem technical at first, but it becomes quite straightforward once you have the right equipment and understand the flow. You need a compatible capture card, a source with HDMI output, a reliable HDMI cable, and recording/streaming software (like OBS). The steps are similar on Windows or Mac: connect, configure, adjust resolution/frame rate, manage audio, then record or stream. Quality hardware and correctly configured settings ensure clean capture with minimal issues. If you're going to capture HDMI, setting things up properly from the start saves tons of trouble later. So follow the steps in this article and start capturing HDMI with confidence.