Complete UK Guide 2026

Magewell USB Capture Devices

Every Magewell USB capture device compared. Which input type you need, what loop-through actually means, why FPGA processing matters, and exactly which model to buy for your workflow and budget.

10
Models covered
£239
Starting price
4K60
Max resolution
0%
CPU usage
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Magewell USB capture device range showing HDMI and SDI models

What is a USB capture device?

A USB capture device converts a video signal into a USB stream that your computer treats as a webcam. Plug your HDMI camera, SDI broadcast camera, or laptop output into one end. Plug a USB cable into your computer. Your streaming software, video conferencing app, or recording tool sees it instantly, no drivers, no configuration.

The reason professionals choose Magewell over cheap alternatives comes down to one thing: FPGA processing. Every Magewell USB capture device contains a dedicated Field-Programmable Gate Array chip that handles all video processing onboard — scaling, deinterlacing, colour conversion, frame rate conversion — entirely on the device itself. Your computer's CPU does nothing. Cheap capture cards do this in software, which loads your CPU, causes dropped frames, and introduces latency.

This is why Magewell devices are used in hospitals, broadcast facilities, universities, and major live events worldwide. When reliability and consistency matter, FPGA processing is non-negotiable.

Zero CPU usage

FPGA processes everything onboard. Your computer stays free.

No drivers needed

UVC/UAC standard means instant recognition on any OS.

3-year warranty

Every unit backed by Magewell's full manufacturer warranty.

Free UK delivery

In stock in the UK. Ships next business day.

All Magewell USB capture devices compared

Every model currently stocked by StreamKit in the UK, with UK pricing including VAT.

DevicePriceMax ResolutionInputLoop-throughAudio I/OBest for
USB Capture HDMI Gen 2£2391080p60HDMI——Streamers, content creators, Zoom
USB Capture HDMI Plus£2871080p60HDMIGaming, streaming with local monitoring
USB Capture SDI Gen 2£2391080p603G-SDI—Broadcast cameras, live events
USB Capture SDI Plus£2871080p603G-SDILive events with external audio mixing
USB Capture DVI Plus£3351080p60DVI/VGA/HDMIMedical imaging, legacy systems
USB Capture AIO£4151080p607 formats—AV integration, rental, mixed sources
USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus£3994K60HDMI 2.04K gaming, content creation, medical 4K
USB Capture HDMI 4K Pro£4474K60HDMI 2.0Professional 4K production, max fidelity
USB Capture SDI 4K Plus£3994K306G-SDI4K broadcast cameras, film production
USB Capture SDI 4K Pro£4474K6012G-SDI12G-SDI broadcast, OB van, sports

All prices include UK VAT. Free UK delivery on every order. 3-year manufacturer warranty on all hardware.

HDMI or SDI: which input type do you need?

This is the first question to answer. The wrong input type means the wrong device entirely. Read our full HDMI vs SDI guide for a deep dive, or use this summary.

HDMI Capture

Choose HDMI if...

  • Your source is a consumer or prosumer camera with HDMI out
  • You're capturing from a gaming console (PS5, Xbox, Switch)
  • Your source is a laptop, PC, or HDMI presentation source
  • Cable runs are under 15 metres
  • You work in streaming, content creation, education, or conferencing
  • Budget matters and you want the entry-level option

HDMI models from StreamKit:

HDMI Gen 2£239HDMI Plus£287HDMI 4K Plus£399HDMI 4K Pro£447
SDI Capture

Choose SDI if...

  • Your camera has a BNC SDI output (broadcast or professional camera)
  • You need cable runs longer than 15 metres (SDI supports up to 330m)
  • Connectors must lock and cannot accidentally disconnect
  • You work in broadcast, live events, sports, or OB production
  • Your signal passes through a broadcast router or switcher
  • You need to embed audio from an external mixing desk

SDI models from StreamKit:

SDI Gen 2£239SDI Plus£287SDI 4K Plus£399SDI 4K Pro£447

Which device is right for your use case?

Find your workflow below. Each recommendation is based on the actual specifications that matter for that application.

Live streaming and content creation

Most popular

Driver-free, zero CPU, works instantly with OBS, Streamlabs, and every streaming platform. The most popular Magewell USB device worldwide.

USB Capture HDMI Gen 2£239

Gaming and Twitch/YouTube streaming

Recommended

The HDMI loop-through lets you play on your TV with zero lag while OBS captures every frame. Built-in audio jacks for commentary.

USB Capture HDMI Plus£287

Zoom, Teams, and video conferencing

Zoom certified

Zoom-certified. Appears as a webcam in any conferencing platform instantly. Replace your built-in webcam with a professional camera output.

USB Capture HDMI Gen 2£239

4K content creation and production

4K60

4K60 via HDMI 2.0. Loop-through for local monitoring. Integrated mic and headphone jacks. The device that shipped your first order.

USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus£399

Broadcast cameras and live events

Broadcast

3G-SDI with 150m cable equalisation and active loop-through. Locking BNC connectors. The professional's choice for camera ingest.

USB Capture SDI Gen 2£239

Live events with external audio

Events pro

SDI loop-through plus 3.5mm line-level audio input. Embed the soundboard mix directly into your capture stream. No separate audio interface needed.

USB Capture SDI Plus£287

Medical imaging and surgical capture

Medical grade

Accepts DVI and VGA from medical equipment with loop-through to keep the primary clinical display active. Widely used in hospitals worldwide.

USB Capture DVI Plus£335

AV integration and mixed signal environments

7 inputs

7 input types in one device: HDMI, 3G-SDI, DVI, VGA, Component, Composite, S-Video. One unit covers any signal you encounter on site.

USB Capture AIO£415

12G-SDI 4K broadcast and OB

Top spec

True 4K60 via 12G-SDI. Backward compatible with all SDI standards. The most capable USB SDI capture device available anywhere.

USB Capture SDI 4K Pro£447

Understanding the naming: Gen 2 vs Plus vs 4K Plus vs 4K Pro

Magewell's naming is consistent once you understand the pattern.

Gen 2
Core capture, no extras

The base capture device. HDMI or SDI input, USB output, FPGA processing. No loop-through, no audio jacks. Compact and bus-powered. The right choice if you only need to get video into your computer.

HDMI Gen 2 — £239
SDI Gen 2 — £239
Plus
Loop-through and audio

Adds a loop-through output (HDMI or SDI) so you can monitor locally while capturing. Adds 3.5mm audio jacks for embedding external audio or connecting a headset. Same resolution as Gen 2.

HDMI Plus — £287
SDI Plus — £287
DVI Plus — £335
4K Plus
4K capture, full features

Steps up to 4K resolution. HDMI 2.0 or 6G-SDI input. Includes loop-through and audio I/O. The HDMI variant captures 4K at 60fps; the SDI variant captures 4K at 30fps. The most popular 4K entry point.

HDMI 4K Plus — £399
SDI 4K Plus — £399
4K Pro
Latest-gen FPGA, max fidelity

Magewell's newest generation of USB capture hardware. Enhanced FPGA processing engine with improved colour accuracy, noise handling, and throughput. The HDMI Pro does 4K60 from HDMI 2.0; the SDI Pro does 4K60 from 12G-SDI.

HDMI 4K Pro — £447
SDI 4K Pro — £447

Quick rule: If you need loop-through or audio jacks, choose Plus. If you need 4K, choose 4K Plus or 4K Pro. If you have a mixed-signal environment, choose the USB Capture AIO. Still unsure? Read our detailed buying guide.

4K USB capture: Plus vs Pro explained

Four devices capture 4K. Here is exactly how they differ. For the full comparison, read our 4K Plus vs 4K Pro guide.

DeviceInput standardMax 4K frame rateFPGA generationPriceBest for
HDMI 4K PlusHDMI 2.04K60Standard£3994K gaming, content creation
HDMI 4K ProHDMI 2.04K60Enhanced (latest gen)£447Professional production, max colour accuracy
SDI 4K Plus6G-SDI4K30Standard£3994K SDI broadcast cameras
SDI 4K Pro12G-SDI4K60Enhanced (latest gen)£44712G-SDI 4K60 broadcast, OB van

Frequently asked questions

What is a USB capture device?
A USB capture device converts a video signal (HDMI, SDI, DVI, or VGA) into a USB stream that your computer recognises as a webcam. You plug one end into your camera or source, the other into your computer's USB port, and the video immediately appears in OBS, Zoom, Teams, or any other software that accepts a webcam feed.
Do Magewell USB capture devices need drivers?
No. Every Magewell USB capture device uses standard UVC (USB Video Class) and UAC (USB Audio Class) protocols. Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS all recognise them instantly as webcams and audio devices without any driver installation.
What is the difference between HDMI and SDI capture?
HDMI is the consumer standard found on cameras, gaming consoles, laptops, and TVs. SDI is the professional broadcast standard using a locking BNC connector and coaxial cable. SDI supports much longer cable runs (up to 330m vs HDMI's ~15m), is used in broadcast cameras, and won't accidentally disconnect. Choose HDMI for consumer and prosumer sources; choose SDI for broadcast cameras and professional production.
Which Magewell USB capture device should I buy?
For most streamers and content creators: USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 (£239). If you need local monitoring via a second screen: HDMI Plus (£287). For 4K: HDMI 4K Plus (£399). For broadcast SDI cameras: SDI Gen 2 (£239). For mixed signal types: USB Capture AIO (£415). For 12G-SDI 4K60 broadcast: SDI 4K Pro (£447).
What does loop-through mean on a capture device?
Loop-through (or passthrough) means the device has a second output port that passes your input signal to a local display with zero latency. So you can monitor your video on a TV or monitor in real-time while the device simultaneously captures the same signal to your computer. There is no delay on the loop-through output.
Can I use a Magewell USB capture device with OBS Studio?
Yes. All Magewell USB capture devices appear as a standard webcam in OBS Studio under Video Capture Device. Add a new source, select Video Capture Device, then choose your Magewell device from the dropdown. No plugins or drivers required.
What is FPGA processing and why does it matter?
FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a dedicated processing chip built into Magewell devices. It handles all video processing — scaling, deinterlacing, colour space conversion, frame rate conversion — entirely on the device itself. This means zero CPU usage on your computer. Cheap capture cards do this processing in software, creating CPU load, dropped frames, and latency. Magewell's FPGA approach is why these devices are trusted by broadcasters and hospitals.
What is the difference between the HDMI 4K Plus and HDMI 4K Pro?
Both capture 4K60 via HDMI 2.0. The 4K Pro (£447) features Magewell's latest-generation enhanced FPGA engine with improved colour accuracy, better noise handling, and higher throughput compared to the 4K Plus (£399). The Pro also supports 4:2:0 colour subsampling in addition to 4:4:4 and 4:2:2. If budget is the deciding factor and 4K60 capture is the goal, the Plus is excellent. If you need the highest possible fidelity, choose the Pro.
Do Magewell USB capture devices work on Mac?
Yes. All Magewell USB Capture devices are fully compatible with macOS 10.9 and above. They appear instantly in QuickTime, OBS Studio, Zoom, Teams, and any other app that uses the AVCaptureSession framework. No drivers, no software installation required.
Can I capture 4K with a USB capture device?
Yes, with the right model. The USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus and HDMI 4K Pro capture 4K at 60fps via HDMI 2.0. The SDI 4K Plus captures 4K at 30fps via 6G-SDI. The SDI 4K Pro captures 4K at 60fps via 12G-SDI. USB 3.0 bandwidth is sufficient for 4K capture when the device uses hardware compression or efficient encoding.
Why buy from StreamKit

Authorised UK Magewell Reseller

StreamKit is officially listed by Forefront Imaging, the exclusive UK Magewell distributor. Every device we sell is genuine UK-sourced stock with full manufacturer warranty and UK technical support.

  • Free mainland UK delivery on every order
  • 3-year manufacturer warranty on all hardware
  • UK-based technical support
  • Genuine stock via the official UK supply chain
  • Next business day despatch on in-stock items
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