We can FINALLY Test This!! - Capture card latency

The video investigates real world latency across a family of devices placed between a gaming console and a TV, focusing on practical implications for gaming performance. It starts by outlining the problem: not every device advertised as zero latency truly stays latency-free, and passing a signal through a soundbar, AV receiver, or capture card can introduce measurable delay. The host explains the testing baseline using a high-end PC setup and Nvidia’s latency measurement tool to capture total chain latency from input to a visible brightness change on the monitor. Early results show that even devices marketed for low latency, such as certain capture cards, add noticeable delays, though typically within a frame at 60 Hz. The video then documents a step-by-step testing sequence: establishing a baseline with the Vizio M-Series TV in game mode, introducing a soundbar, and evaluating two popular capture cards, the Elgato HD60 S+ and the 4K60 Pro, along with a TV AVR receiver. These measurements reveal that while the devices do not achieve true zero latency, most configurations remain below perceptible thresholds for casual play, with one frame of delay commonly observed at 60 Hz for some links. The host dives deeper into chaining multiple devices and the complexities of handshakes, EDID, and HDCP, demonstrating that adding more links can yield inconsistent results and, in some configurations, even cause flickering or resolution changes. The main takeaway is that latency compounds in some setups but tends to stabilize within a range, and for the most part, modern gear can be used for competitive gaming if users tackle the handshaking order and connect devices directly to the display when possible. Finally, the video highlights Vizio’s own gaming-oriented features, such as low latency game mode, auto low latency mode, and firmware improvements, while acknowledging that for true zero latency a direct connection remains the safest path, with the caveat that most users will not notice the small delays introduced by common configurations.

Topics · technology · hardware · gaming · audio_visual