The AverMedia GC553Pro tries to be a streamer’s best video seize system, however it’s not a viable possibility for Mac customers eager to stream on Twitch.
Reside streaming is a thriving business that gives the potential for extra earnings, a fan base, a group, and a connection to the world. All by means of the facility of video video games, music, crafts, and slice-of-life content material to anybody, utilizing primary tools and a high-speed web connection.
The pandemic years in 2020-2021 noticed platforms like Twitch and YouTube burst with numerous new accounts. Burgeoning streamers took to dwell streaming to cross the hours in lockdown and isolation away from public areas, with the variety of lively accounts on each platforms rising exponentially.
For a lot of, dwell streaming is a pastime or pastime, with full-time careers proving troublesome to keep up. However the progress of the business general in the course of the pandemic created a cottage business aimed toward catering to the tools and software program for streaming.
Within the early days of this business, the prohibitive value of entry stood as a barrier for hobbyist streamers and full-time profession streamers. Nevertheless, lately, the price of streaming {hardware} and software program has lowered to permit extra streamers to enhance the standard of their content material.
AverMedia is among the firms with a historical past of providing audio and video tools aimed toward video conferencing and streaming. That features a wide range of webcams, seize playing cards, microphones, and headphones.
The GC553Pro Extremely S 4k seize card is considered one of their latest releases, and it was put by means of its paces in a Mac-specific setting.
Connections: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C
Max passthrough: 4K60
Max seize: 4K60 HDR VRR
Audio output: 5.1
Dimensions: 112.6 x 66.2 x 26 mm (4.4 x 2.6 x 1 inches)
Weight: 99g (3.5 ounces)
The GC553Pro is an HDMI seize card that AverMedia advertises as highly effective and cost-effective, with 4K60 HDR/VRR, 240FPS, RGB24, VRR pass-through, ultra-wide monitor assist, and 5.1 immersive encompass sound.
AverMedia GC553Pro Assessment: The field
The GC553Pro arrived in a single field with the GC553Pro unit, a single HDMI 2.0 cable, a single USB-A to USB-C cable, and a fast begin information.
Out of the field, the GC553Pro is a small, rectangular unit with a easy look and building that carries a pleasant little cyberpunk-style detai. Grooves lower into the floor reveal a swatch of deep pink and the corporate brand.
AverMedia GC553Pro Assessment: From the highest
The GC553Pro is offered in both black or white for the outside case, with the pink inside and brand remaining the identical in both possibility.
The HDMI enter and output ports reside on one facet of the GC553Pro. The USB-C port resides on the alternative facet.
AverMedia GC553Pro Assessment: HDMI out and in
That is it for ports, as there isn’t any exterior AC port or plug required with the GC553Pro. This can be a good function for cable administration and clear workspaces in thoughts.
Unsurprisingly, AverMedia provides proprietary software program within the type of the AverMedia Help Central Professional, for primary setup and firmware updates, and the AverMedia Streaming Middle.
The Streaming Middle is their in-house streaming software program, much like Streamlabs and OBS. Whereas clear in its presentation, it presents points for Mac and Home windows customers.
For testing in a Mac setting, I used my present workspace setup:
Mac Studio (2022) – Apple M1 Max
Xencelabs 24 Pen Show (major show)
ASUS VY279 Show (Secondary show)
Nintendo Swap 1
Streamlabs OBS
OBS Studio (after failed Streamlabs try)
Setup out of the field is extremely easy from a primary use standpoint: Plug one HDMI 2.0 cable into the enter and your console and plug a second HDMI 2.0 cable into the out/passthrough and your show.
Then plug the USB-C to USB-A into your pc, and also you’re related on the most elementary stage. I used my ASUS secondary monitor to seize a Nintendo Swap.
AverMedia GC553Pro Assessment: Help Central Professional in use
The Help Central Professional acknowledged the connection to my Mac, introduced the choice to replace the GC553Pro firmware, and gave me the prospect to tinker with settings just like the Multichannel. It’s primary, however it works nicely sufficient.
I sometimes use Streamlabs OBS to stream from my Mac Studio. After updating the firmware on the GC553Pro and establishing the Nintendo Swap seize, I encountered issues.
I couldn’t seize any sound from the Nintendo Swap in any respect. I checked each setting and couldn’t get the audio from the console to operate or seem as an possibility in Streamlabs.
Hours have been spent on the issue, researching YouTube movies, installations, Reddit posts, and the whole lot potential to make it work out of the field. However the whole lot failed.
To be thorough, OBS Studio was put in on the Mac Studio and the setup check was run once more. Every part was working as supposed for seize, recording, and streaming at a primary stage.
I say primary stage as a result of plugging the GC553Pro instantly into your pc will present primary/decrease settings by default. If you wish to modify or use greater settings for the ultrawide resolutions AverMedia touts with the GC553Pro, you will need to use the Streaming Middle software program to take action.
A deep search of the AverMedia web site for the Mac model of the AverMedia Streaming Middle software program was fruitless. A hyperlink to the Mac model was lifeless, and AverMedia additionally not helps a Mac model of its proprietary streaming software program.
This can be a deal breaker for Mac customers.
No Mac Streaming Middle software program means no adjustment choices or full performance for the GC553Pro on Mac. You’d be paying round $150 for successfully half a seize card, and that isn’t good worth in any respect.
I did run a full check on a Home windows PC as nicely, using the identical Nintendo Swap and the AverMedia Streaming Middle software program. Below these circumstances, the whole lot ran completely.
Every part labored for capturing, recording, and streaming underneath Home windows. Whereas the software program just isn’t extremely intuitive, it really works and means that you can take full benefit of the GC553Pro options.
AverMedia GC553Pro Assessment: The check streaming setup
This development of gatekeeping performance behind proprietary apps or software program just isn’t a great one to take care of. Whereas the field and blurb say the GC553Pro is Mac suitable, that is solely true at a primary stage.
The GC553Pro takes benefit of HDMI 2.0 ports for the enter and the passthrough. This is a wonderful function that means that you can get essentially the most out of 4K at 60 fps and the VRR assist means much less tearing whereas enjoying.
When the GC553Pro works as supposed, it’s a good seize card. However solely if you’re a PC person.
Having expertise with streaming myself, I used to be eager to take a brand new seize card out for a check drive. I’ve a catalog of console video games I want to play on Twitch, and I hoped this is able to be a great possibility for me.
The outcome was, it wasn’t if I used my Mac Studio.
With so many Mac customers in inventive areas trying to stream their inventive course of or video games, the GC553Pro can be a superb possibility. If solely it did not lock full operate behind a Home windows-only app.
Small workspace footprint
Twin HDMI connections for enter and passthrough
Affordable worth for Home windows usersFull settings locked behind proprietary app
No Mac assist for proprietary app
Doesn’t work with all streaming software program
Score: 2.5 out of 5
The GC553Pro is obtainable within the AverMedia on-line retailer for $150. Additionally it is out there on Amazon, priced at $139.99 or $109.99 for Prime members.
