Capture cards and external devices have come a long way over the past few years. While there have been many attempts to capture the essence of everything happening during your favorite gaming sessions, the restrictions of resolution and latency have always been a primary struggle. There have been a few companies over the years to try and overcome those challenges. One that has consistently worked to break new ground is AVerMedia.
While we have seen some smart and innovative designs over the years such as the Life Gamer Duo, their latest entry, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1, attempts to once again redefine what we can expect from a capture device. This compact, external capture device boasts 4K60 Capture with true 4K144 passthrough and aims to wipe the floor with the competition. Whether or not it succeeds is what we are here to see. So grab that coffee, kick back and check out our review of the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 from the good folks at AVerMedia.
Specifications
- Current Price: $299.99 (Amazon)
- Interface: USB 3.2 Geb 2 Type-C
- Input & Output (pass-through): HDMI 2.1
- Max Pass-Through Resolution: 2160p 144 HDR/VVR, 1440p 1444 HDR/VVR, 1080p 240 HDR/VVR
- Max Capture Resolution: 2160p 60
- Supported Resolution: 2160p, 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p, 480i
- Video Format: YUY2, NV12, RGB24, P010(HDR)
- Headset & Gamepad Audio Inputs & Outputs: 4-Pole 3.5mm Jacks
- Systems Supported: Windows 10/11 x64 with support for macOS by the end of 2023
Compact and Stylish
While the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 boasts some impressive features, what is actually just as impressive is how compact the Ultra 2.1 really is. Measuring in at only 4.72L x 2.76W inches and only 1 inch in height, the Ultra 2.1 is incredibly small for all that it can accomplish. The grey, plastic shell gives the unit a sleek look while a unique recessed front plate accents a RGB strip. While this is a customizable esthetic it also doubles as a light-up indicator for various conditions of the unit wonderfully marrying function and style into its RGB design.
The backplane hosts all of the various inputs and outputs including the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface port, two HDMI 2.1 ports for input and passthrough as well as two 4-pole 3.5mm audio jacks for controller and headset capture. All of this is smartly laid out in this impressively light 115g device. This is one of AVerMedia’s most powerful capture devices while also managing to be one of their smaller ones. It's an impressive feat of engineering.
A Capture Powerhouse
The Ultra 2.1 isn’t just a pretty box. It comes ready to take on any punishment thrown its way. Supporting an array of resolutions for capture and passthrough, what is most impressive is that it's the first card to support full 4K60 capture while also providing 4K144 passthrough. This fully supported HDMI 2.1 device is the first of its kind, and really does set gamers up for the next generation of capture.
More impressive still is that the Ultra 2.1 comes with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support. This helps reduce screen stuttering and tearing while producing exceptionally high resolutions. As long as your monitor or TV supports VRR, the Ultra 2.1 will take full advantage resulting in a beautiful, smooth capture experience.
The Ultra 2.1 also supports two 3.5mm 4-pole jacks for plugging in your headphones and controller. The idea is to capture the audio chat experience. The 4-pole connection means you’ll be able to leverage both a headphone and a mic in a single connection point. It's a great idea that bring all of the capture process into the device instead of relying on third-party software running in the background.
While it works great I do foresee an issue with newer headsets. Many modern headsets don’t support 3.5mm jacks. In fact, for testing, I had to dig out my Arctis 9s from 2020 as they were the only gaming headset I had on hand that could be used for testing. While I appreciate the idea of the 3.5mm jack it does seem out of step with the rest of the forward-thinking design of the Ultra 2.1. Regardless it's a nice feature for that all-in-one capture solution. My hope with future models would be to leverage USB headset technology bringing it in step with the latest gaming headset on the market.
Setup and Testing
Setting up the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is an exceptionally easy process. Plugging it into your Windows 10/11 system will automatically start the driver install. Within seconds the Ultra 2.1 will be recognized and OBS will be able to use it as a signal. To leverage every ounce of power and customization that the Ultra 2.1 has to offer you’ll want to install AVerMedia’s Gaming Utility. This software will help keep the firmware up to date and help manage the RGB and HDMI settings. The software works exceptionally well and immediately recognized the Ultra 2.1.
Once configured in OBS, the Ultra 2.1 performed flawlessly. Every game tested was wonderfully captured in 4K60 without issue. There was no visible latency in the capture. Even when testing with a full-screen preview, controller inputs were instantly represented on the preview. Audio as well was perfectly in sync. It was actually quite easy and the results were impressive. (note: all captures for the demo were recorded using Xbox Series S)
As for the 4K144 passthrough, the Ultra 2.1 once again performed perfectly. Even while capturing, there are no visible delays, screen tearing or stuttering. It simply works. The resulting gameplay is gorgeous. While a 4K144Hz monitor isn’t exactly the norm at the moment (I actually had to borrow one for testing), The Ultra 2.1 is about future-proofing your setup. The fact that it can support those resolutions and refresh and actually fully leverage the HDMI 2.1 technology is an impressive feat.
Final Thoughts
The Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the most impressive capture device I’ve worked with. It flawlessly captures 4K60 while maintaining incredible passthrough resolutions and refresh rates. The result is a silky smooth gaming experience that can be captured effortlessly for your audience. While I do appreciate the included 3.5mm jacks, it doesn’t add a lot to the otherwise impressive card. Overall, however, the Ultra 2.1 has set a new standard for game capture and is one worth considering. Priced at USD $299, the Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 from AVerMedia is an incredible upgrade to your capture and streaming setup.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Purchasing articles through our links results in a small commission that will support the site. Authors are not compensated by clicks or commissions.
