ezcap 261 / AGPtEK / MYPIN USB3 – Game Capture Review
I’ve recently discovered an incredibly cheap HDMI capture device that promises 1080p60 capture for around $80. That’s quite a feat, and exactly what I’ve been looking for to get started with handsome looking game streaming. It’s known by several names, such as * AKPtEK VG0061* MYPIN* ezcap U3 / ezcap 261 But does it deliver? How would it work? What’s the catch? Why isn’t this thing flying off the shelves? And are the occasional zero-star reviews telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I had to find out for myself and ordered one. After much testing, firmware upgrading and more testing, I’ve ordered another one. Let me tell you the whole story in this article. What does this thing do again? This little gadget is a HDMI to USB 3 capture device. The idea is to plug in any HDMI input (game console, laptop, video camera, iPad, anything really), loop it through to a monitor if necessary (with no noticeable lag), then capture the signal with any suitable computer or operating system. The box is recognized as a regular video input device, and it’s signal (both video and audio) can be recorded or live streamed with software packages like OBS or XSplit, using Windows, macOS or even Linux. Moreover, this thing does it at full 1080p resolution and at up to 60 frames per second without breaking into a sweat. It’s smaller than a pack of cigarettes, super light, requires no external power supply and doesn’t even get hot when it’s doing its thing. To top it off, you can even loop through a 4k signal (although the unit will only capture up to 1080p), and it claims to strip out HDCP copy protection, up to version 2.1. Wow. Comparable technology from Elgato and AVer Media costs just under $200, while this device can be had for about $80. How is this possible? Who makes this thing? And why doesn’t everyone have one already? Turns out the unit is made by a company called ezcap (all lower case styling), who manufacture several video capture devices. They sell this one as the ezcap261, but other companies can buy them in bulk and add their own branding, such as eyesen and AGPtEK among others. A quick search on Amazon will bring up several contenders. I’ve ordered the AGPtEK VG0061 device, also known as the MYPIN at the end of 2018. After initial tests, and disappointing audio results, I’ve ordered another one by Y&H. Except for the branding and instructions, these units are identical. This is a bus-powered device, and no additional power source is necessary to operate it. Here are the three ports we find on the left and right hand side of the device. It’s fairly simple. The HDMI output can be used for a lag-free monitor loop-through, but it’s optional. HDMI out/inputs (left), USB port (right) Use Cases I’ve been trying to get started with streaming my game play on YouTube and Twitch for a while. But the technology necessary to do this in good quality was a little out of my reach. I have an AGPtEK standalone PVR gadget that can record a HDMI signal (without HDCP) directly onto a USB stick, but it’s not streaming capable, nor does it 1080p in 60fps. Gaming aside, I’ve had plans to use my GoPro as a web cam for a while. For my screencasts, I’ve been using Camtasia, which doesn’t play well with webcams. Besides,
