Elgato Cam Link 4k Review - Turns any HDMI device into a webcam!

VIDEO INDEX:
0:00 - Intro
01:05 - Connecting the device: Make sure it's USB 3.0!
01:36 - Recommended system specs
02:01 - 4K Video Capture with Elgato Software
03:19 - System Stats During Video Capture
03:58 - 4K Video Capture with OBS (More Optimized)
06:23 - Price Is the Same As Last-Gen
06:39 - Using The Device As a Webcam with Skype
07:07 - Works on macOS
07:44 - Resolving Mac glitches
08:47 - Make Sure Camera Can Output Clean HDMI Stream!
09:58 - Final Thoughts

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[GeekdCast]

Great review. Such a small package for a versatile video tool. Hopefully elGato software will catch up to their hardware eventually.

[JeanRodo]

I was trying to get an old cam link because it’s the only Elgato capture card combatible with the OSSC for retro games. Really happy to see it was updated for 4K while I’d only use it for regular HD I’m hopefully it’s still compatible.

[AnimosityX]

Make sure you check the specs on their website, cause cams like GOPROS etc, are not supported into the 4K range with this Cam Link? Not sure why they would do that and call it a 4K. They should have named it 1080P and Sometimes 4K link.

[joshhaas]

Outstanding review and walk-through. Thank you for taking the time to do this

[aleksandrgriadovoi]

I bought Cam Link 4K after considering buying something used or off aliexpress, but I though that I should go with a popular brand that everyone is using for customer support, reliability and software updates. I bit the bullet and spent 120 EUR - the cheapest I could find. Now I think that I should had went for aliexpress stuff.
I tried to make it work on Windows 10 and MacOS using all different combination of USB 3.0 ports, externally powered USB 3.0 hub without any luck. I tried using two cameras: Canon M50 and Canon 7D. After receiving a first email from support team I gave them all the details: computer specs, USB ports, sent a log file, filmed a demonstration video. Now I have received a second reply and the guy didn't even bother to read my report and check out the video. He suggested that I try webcamera app in the operating systems as though Elgato Game Capture HD was not necessary supposed to work with the product. I will wait for their answer and probably will have to return the item. I'm surprised at all those positive reviews online! Maybe I have to make my own to make people aware of my experience.

[AugieMendoza]

I think the “optimization” you mention has something to do with Elgato’s software taking advantage of QuickSync but not NVENC. In your video I see OBS does in fact use the NVENC encoder. Obviously, Nvidia’s GPU is much faster than Intel graphics.

I noticed the difference in performance when experimenting with Handbrake.

Great video as always Lon!

[megangalane]

I have been waiting on elgato to help me and your trick on downloading OBS has saved me hours!!! Thank you so much!!!

[caseyonlocation]

Thank you for the video! I just ordered this CamLink item which is currently difficult to find. Can't wait to try it out.

[haebee]

great review. would love to see your Best Christmas Gifts list.

[herhelman]

Hi Lon, I always enjoy your videos! Just a little question, I have a Sony 4k Camcorder, Can I capture camcorder and there are real 4k support on Skype and other conferencing software yet? thanks in advance! Hernán from Argentina, South América. I can google it, but it seems that there´s a lot of wrong or biassed information on the web. Thanks again!

[TechLeatherCraft]

Super helpful. Glad it's the same price. I've been planning on getting this for live-streaming.. Now I need to upgrade to a new laptop.. I literally have i7 4th gen.. Baseline for this Elgato.

[NeelsWorld]

I'm using it with a 2013 laptop only having i3 third gen on Full HD quite well for live streaming. Not using the 4k though.

[bhirawamaylana]

Good product for streaming game, and it's look easy to use just plug and play, love it when product can work properly just with plug and play.

[gsaxy]

just got the Elgato 4K today. i have a SONY camera AX53, but no chance to setup OBS to 4K (3840x2160). max i can set is 1920x1028 🙁 as far as i can see the cam-settings etc. are 4K. i use the new MacBook Air M1 (16GB RAM) -
interesting: i get 3840x2160 without any problem on Quicktime-Recording. sad, as i like OBS as a video-recording tool .... any hint? thx (Base Input and Output max 1920x1080 - no higher value available...)

[cellowiz]

Great review. Thank you.
One question. Is it okay to use 10ft usb extension cable to connect to a pc rather than supplied 3.0 cable?

[kurtoco]

Could you review the Dell Inspiron 7472? Sorta can't find any comprehensive reviews of it online

[qingyuanma]

Hello, We produced the USB C flash drive. That could work well for the usb c devices. (Macbook, phones, laptops...) How could I communicate with you for the youtube review?

[Ucada]

The 4k capture utility from Elgato is really buggy. I tried to record the video from 3 usb 3.0 ports but I got very weird issues. 1 out of 3 ports could record 4k really smoothly but the sound from my lav mic connected to panasonic G9 was really distorted. 2 out of 3 were able to record good voice from the mic, but the video kept freezing after no more than 30 seconds of recording. When using this thing you really need to use 3rd party software.

[StevieRichardsFitness]

I use the Camlink with, OBS, my Sony a6500 and a Sigma 16mm 1.4 and it keeps autofocusing.

I found out that you need to use a Sony lens in order to stop that from happening.

[Apachewolf]

Thanks for the great review on this product. Has anyone used this with a Panasonic FZ2500 yet?