Level up your stream with console, camera, and mobile device content thanks to the NZXT Signal Capture Cards!

Capture cards are about unlocking potential and the best quality for your stream. Some consoles allow you to stream directly from the device, which is great when you’re starting, but the quality will be better and you will have access to all the best streaming software by streaming from a PC. This guide will review how to connect everything and some key things to know for each device.

Do I need a capture card?

The easiest way to think of this is with a question: Can I see the video and hear audio on my computer? For games that run on PC, you don’t need a capture card. But for consoles, cameras, and mobile devices, a capture card is the most reliable way to get that signal at maximum quality and framerate to your computer so you can stream.

Which NZXT Signal Capture Card should I get?

To help you decide, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you want to play in HDR?

Do you want to play at a high framerate such as 120Hz, 144Hz, or 240Hz?

Do you want to record in 1080p 120Hz so you can have smooth slow-mo replays?

Do you want to record in 4K30?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you’ll need the Signal 4K30. Otherwise, the Signal HD60 will be great for you!

Do you need the NZXT Chat Cable?

To help identify if the NZXT Chat Cable will help you:

• Do you currently use headphones plugged into the console or controller and want to continue doing that?
• Do you use a headset with a built-in microphone plugged directly into the controller? (Not USB)

If you answered “yes” to either of the above, then we recommend you use the NZXT Chat Cable. Even if you’re not using the chat cable for the built-in mic functionality, it makes it easy to use your headphones to hear console audio and also capture that audio in your stream by plugging into your motherboard line-In.

Console Setup

For most people, you will need the following equipment:

• Microphone: USB or XLR Microphone setups will work fine
• Capture Card: Signal 4K30 for high framerate and HDR passthrough
• (2) HDMI cables: NZXT Signal Capture Cards come with one HDMI cable, so make sure you have an additional HDMI cable that came with your monitor or motherboard and that it is HDMI 2.0 compatible
• (1) Additional HDMI or DisplayPort cable: This will be for connecting your computer to a display
• Headphones: Any headphones that plug into your Stream PC
• (2) Displays: One gaming, and one “stream” display. The gaming display should be in the format you want to play in: 4K60 HDR, 1080p240Hz, 1440p144Hz, etc. The stream display can be any size or resolution and will be connected to the stream PC
• Optional: Console Chat Cable
  

  Console FYI

  Nintendo Switch

  • This should already be the default setting for the Switch, but we highly recommend running your Nintendo Switch in 1080p60.
  • If you use the Console Chat Cable it will allow you to use your 3.5mm headphones with the Switch, but also capture that audio for your stream by plugging the chat cable into the motherboard line-in port.

  For Xbox

  • Make sure to turn off HDCP on the Xbox prior to connecting to the capture card. Refer to your Xbox manual for instructions.
  • For best results, set your desired Xbox settings while connected to the gaming monitor first. Then connect the Xbox to the capture card directly, and the passthrough to your gaming monitor.
  • For HDR color, your Xbox and monitor must both support HDR.
  • Audio Settings: Xbox has a great feature to send audio over both headphones and speakers. This means if you use headphones plugged into the Xbox controller, you can continue doing this while your stream can still hear game and party chat audio.
  • Using the NZXT Chat Cable simplifies audio settings since the stream will hear everything you hear on your headphones, while still communicating with teammates with a headset with a built-in microphone.
    
    

    For Playstation

    • Make sure to turn off HDCP on the Playstation prior to connecting to the capture card. Refer to your Playstation manual for instructions.
    • For best results, set your desired Playstation settings while connected to the gaming monitor first. Then connect the Playstation to the capture card directly, and the passthrough to your gaming monitor.
    • For HDR color, your Playstation and monitor must both support HDR.
    • Using the NZXT Chat Cable simplifies audio settings since the stream will hear everything you hear on your headphones, while still communicating with teammates with a headset with a built-in microphone.

    Console Setup

    1. Power on your console and connect to your gaming display directly at first to do setup
       
       
    2. If you use headphones with your console, connect them to the controller or console directly
       
       
    3. If you use a microphone to communicate with teammates in-game, test it using the console’s microphone test utility
       
       
    4. Configure the video settings to the resolution and framerate you desire to play at
       
       
    5. Power on your stream PC with the display connected
       
       
    6. Connect the NZXT Signal Capture Card to your stream PC over USB. Make sure you connect to a USB 3.2 Gen 1 compatible slot (this will be a different color than normal USB ports). The LED indicator should be flashing white for 1 second on/off to indicate successful connection but no signal yet (see chart below)
    1. If flashing red for 1 second on/off, this means the USB port does not support USB 3.2 Gen 1
       
       
    7. Disconnect the gaming display from the console
       
       
    8. Plug one HDMI cable from the console to the HDMI IN on the capture card. This is the middle port on both NZXT Signal Capture Cards
       
       
    9. Plug the second HDMI cable from the HDMI OUT on the capture card to the gaming display
       
       
    10. With your capture card now connected to the console, ensure that your settings were preserved and the passthrough is working correctly
        
        
    11. In your favorite streaming software, add a VIDEO CAPTURE DEVICE as a source. You should see the name of the capture card in this list
        
        
    12. If you are using the NZXT Chat Cable:
    1. Unplug your headphones from the console or controller and plug into the short end female audio plug of the NZXT Chat Cable
    2. Plug the short-end male audio plug on the NZXT Chat Cable into the controller or console
    3. Plug the long end into the stream PC motherboard line-in
    4. Add a mic/aux audio source in your favorite streaming software and select the line-in
    5. Test the audio to make sure it is registering in your favorite streaming software
       
    13. Set up your stream layout on the Stream PC with your favorite streaming software
        
        
    14. Go live!
        
        

Camera and Mobile Setup

For most people, you will need the following equipment:

• Microphone: USB or XLR Microphone setups will work fine
• Capture Card: Signal HD60 will be fine for cameras and mobile unless you want to record 4K30, in which case you need the Signal 4K30
• (1) HDMI cable: NZXT Signal Capture Cards come with one HDMI cable and this is all you need
• (1) Additional HDMI or DisplayPort cable: This will be for connecting your computer to a display
• Headphones: Any headphones that plug into your stream PC
• (1) Display: One stream display. The stream display can be any size or resolution and will be connected to the stream PC
• Optional: Console Chat Cable - this can be used if you like to use headphones with your phone

Camera and Mobile Device FYI

Camera

• You will likely need an adapter from mini or micro HDMI to normal HDMI to connect to your camera
• Your camera needs to output a “clean feed” or display without any text or information so it is a clean image
• Typically putting your camera into the “movie record” mode instead of “photo” mode leads to the best-looking video
• Highly recommend using a “dummy” battery that can be plugged in to prevent the camera from running out of battery power during the stream
• Passthrough is not needed

Mobile Device

• Most mobile devices require a dongle to connect to an HDMI cable
• Passthrough is not needed for mobile since you’ll be looking at your screen already
• Mobile devices typically output at 1080p, but you still may need to crop out unused areas of the screen for a more clean look
  
  

Camera and Mobile Device Setup

• Power on your device
  
  
• For cameras:
  1. Set up the resolution and framerate to your desired format. 1080p60 or 720p60 is recommended
  2. Put your camera into “movie” mode for the best image
     
     
• Connect any required HDMI dongles
  
  
• Power on your stream PC with the display connected
  
  
• Connect the NZXT Signal Capture Card to your stream PC over USB. Make sure you connect to a USB 3.2 Gen 1 compatible slot (this will be a different color than normal USB ports). The LED indicator should be flashing white for 1 second on/off to indicate successful connection but no signal yet (see chart below)
  3. If flashing red for 1 second on/off, this means the USB port does not support USB 3.2 Gen 1
     
     
• Plug one HDMI cable from the Camera or Mobile Device to the HDMI IN on the capture card. This is the middle port on both NZXT Signal Capture Cards
  
  
• In your favorite streaming software, add a VIDEO CAPTURE DEVICE as a source. You should see the name of the capture card in this list
  
  
• If you are using the NZXT Chat Cable with a mobile device:
  1. Plug the short end female audio plug into your headphones
  2. Plug the short end male audio plug on the NZXT Chat Cable into the mobile device
  3. Plug the long end into the stream PC motherboard line-in
  4. Add a mic/aux audio source in your favorite streaming software and select the line-in
  5. Test the audio to make sure it is registering in your favorite streaming software
     
     
• Set up your stream layout on the Stream PC with your favorite streaming software
  
  
• Go live!
  

LED Chart