The ULTIMATE Macro Pad? - Elgato Stream Deck Review
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Description
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Promos
Check out the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD6xx headphones, available now for only $199.99 USD at dro.ps Try Tunnelbear for free, no credit card required, at tunnelbear.com Taran is back! But why is he reviewing a device that's designed for streamers?... Taran's fancy code for the Stream Deck: github.com Buy Elgato Stream Deck on Amazon: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Linus Tech Tips merchandise at designbyhumans.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Sound effects provided by freesfx.co.uk
The video opens by situating the Elgato Stream Deck as a revolutionary 15-key macro keypad designed for live streaming, highlighting its integration with popular tools like OBS, Twitch, Twitter, and Elgato products. The host explains the core appeal: the Stream Deck makes complex live-control tasks easy by letting users drag actions into keys, including chat commands, scene and mic changes, and even retroactive recording of the last minutes. He demonstrates setup and notes that actions can be nested inside folders, effectively increasing the total number of usable commands beyond the base 15 keys, with improvements from a recent update allowing deeper folder nesting. Throughout the first portion, the reviewer emphasizes practical benefits for streamers, noting automatic dimming for inactive scenes and sources as a quick visual cue during a live stream, and he underscores that the device is easy to configure and use once properly set up. He contrasts this with traditional keyboard shortcuts, highlighting that Stream Deck avoids conflicts and boosts live efficiency, and previews a broader use case beyond streaming, including video editing and general desktop navigation. The video then pivots to a candid set of criticisms and enhancements, listing user interface quirks, a short USB cord, keycap reflections, parallax issues, limited stand adjustability, image retention in one unit, and wishes for features like an automatic sleep mode, font customization, image or GIF support, and multi-deck support per computer. Despite these caveats, the host shares a strong endorsement for productivity-minded users and serious streamers, revealing personal use cases and a modified AutoHotkey workflow that consolidates commands, scripts, and programs onto the Stream Deck. The segment culminates with a nod to the Massdrop exclusive Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones and a casual plug for Massdrop and Linus Tech Tips merchandise, while reinforcing the tech-forward, hands-on nature of the review and inviting viewers to explore the product further on Amazon and related forums.
Topics · hardware · streaming · productivity · technology reviews
Questions answered
- What can the Elgato Stream Deck do beyond simple keyboard shortcuts?
- It can control streaming software like OBS and XSplit, manage Twitch chat, post pre-written messages on Twitter, switch scenes and mics, take screenshots, record the last few minutes of a stream, and even launch programs or scripts directly from a single key.
- How does the Stream Deck improve live streaming workflow compared to traditional hotkeys?
- It organizes actions visually into 15 keys or nested folders, reduces keyboard shortcut conflicts, and provides quick visual feedback through automatic dimming and key images, making it easier to perform complex commands without manual window switching.
- Are there any notable drawbacks mentioned for the Stream Deck?
- Yes, the reviewer notes a short USB cord, potential reflections and parallax on keycaps, limited stand adjustability, occasional image retention in one unit, and wishes for features like automatic sleep mode, font customization, and GIF support.