How to Set Up AverMedia Capture Card in OBS Studio

Setting up an AverMedia capture card in OBS Studio allows you to stream or record high-quality console gameplay and external video feeds. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough to physically connect your hardware, add the capture card as a source in OBS, configure optimal video and audio settings, and troubleshoot common setup issues.

Step 1: Connect the Hardware

Before opening OBS Studio, ensure your AverMedia capture card is connected correctly to your gaming console and PC.

1. HDMI Input: Plug the HDMI cable from your gaming console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) into the HDMI IN port on the AverMedia capture card.
2. HDMI Output (Passthrough): Plug another HDMI cable from the HDMI OUT port on the capture card to your gaming monitor or TV.
3. PC Connection: Use the provided USB cable to connect the capture card to a USB 3.0 (usually blue) port on your streaming PC. If you are using an internal PCIe capture card, ensure it is securely slotted into your motherboard.

Step 2: Add the AverMedia Card as a Source in OBS

Once the hardware is connected and powered on, open OBS Studio to add the device.

1. Locate the Sources dock at the bottom of the OBS interface.
2. Click the + (plus) icon and select Video Capture Device.
3. Name the source (e.g., “AverMedia Capture Card”) and click OK.
4. In the properties window that appears, click the Device dropdown menu and select your specific AverMedia capture card from the list.

Step 3: Configure Video Settings

For the best visual quality and performance, adjust the video properties within the source window:

• Resolution/FPS Type: Change this from Device Default to Custom.
• Resolution: Select the native resolution of your console or gameplay (e.g., 1920x1080 for 1080p).
• FPS: Match the output of your game. Select 60 or Match Output FPS for smooth gameplay.
• Video Format: Set this to Any or NV12 (which offers great compatibility and low CPU usage).
• Color Space: Set to 709 and Color Range to Partial (or Default) to prevent washed-out colors.

Step 4: Configure Audio Settings

To ensure your stream audience can hear the game audio, configure the audio routing:

1. Scroll down to the bottom of the AverMedia source properties window in OBS.
2. Set Audio Output Mode to Capture audio only.
3. Check the box for Use custom audio device.
4. In the Audio Device dropdown menu that appears, select your AverMedia card’s audio feed (often labeled as HDMI or Line In (Live Gamer…)).
5. Click OK to save your settings.

To hear the game audio yourself through your PC headset, go to the Audio Mixer in OBS, click the gear icon next to your AverMedia source, select Advanced Audio Properties, and change the Audio Monitoring setting for your capture card to Monitor and Output.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Black Screen (No Signal): Ensure HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is disabled in your console’s system settings (especially important for PS4 and PS5). Also, close AverMedia’s proprietary software (RECentral) if it is running, as only one program can access the capture card at a time.
• Flickering or No Signal on USB Cards: Ensure the capture card is plugged directly into a USB 3.0 port on your motherboard, not a USB 2.0 port or an unpowered USB hub.
• Audio/Video Desync: If the audio drifts over time, go to the capture card properties in OBS, uncheck Use custom audio device, click OK, then re-open properties and re-enable it to reset the sync buffer.