Last updated: 2026-01-22

Most desktop streaming apps and modern browser studios support external HDMI/USB capture cards as a camera or video source; for most creators, a browser-based studio like StreamYard is the easiest way to go live with that setup. If you need deep scene routing or local mixing, desktop tools like OBS or Streamlabs are still a strong alternative.

Summary

• Most major streaming tools work with popular HDMI/USB capture cards; the card usually appears as a "video capture" or camera device.
• OBS and Streamlabs add capture cards as a Video Capture Device, while Restream’s docs point you to desktop software (like OBS) to handle the card. (Streamlabs, Restream)
• Browser platforms like StreamYard, and Restream Studio can use a capture card when the OS exposes it as a webcam.
• For most people who want simplicity, remote guests, and multi-streaming, StreamYard is the best default; power users who want very custom scenes may lean toward OBS or Streamlabs.

What is streaming software that supports external capture cards?

When we talk about "streaming software that supports external capture cards," we’re talking about tools that can treat a capture card (Elgato, AVerMedia, etc.) as an input source for live video.

A typical HDMI capture card sits between your camera or console and your computer, then sends the video and audio to your machine for streaming or recording in software. Streamlabs describes an HDMI capture card as a device that takes the audio and video signals from your source and transmits them to your computer for streaming or recording through software such as Streamlabs Desktop. (Streamlabs)

In practice, if your software can:

• See the capture card as a camera or "Video Capture Device", and
• Add it as a source in your scene or studio,

then it "supports" external capture cards.

Desktop apps like OBS and Streamlabs do this natively. Browser studios like StreamYard or Riverside rely on the operating system/browser to expose the capture card as a webcam device.

Which streaming apps let you use external capture cards?

Here’s how the major options handle capture cards today:

OBS Studio

OBS is a free desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Guides for OBS explain that you add a capture card as a Video Capture Device source, then choose your card from the device dropdown. (Windows Central)

Good for:

• Highly customized scenes
• Advanced routing and overlays
• Local recording with full control

Streamlabs Desktop

Streamlabs’ documentation for Elgato capture cards shows the same basic pattern: in Streamlabs Desktop, you add a new source called Video Capture Device and then select the capture card. (Streamlabs)

Good for:

• Creators who like an OBS-style workflow with built-in themes and widgets
• Gamers who want tight integration with donation alerts and chat

StreamYard

At StreamYard, we run completely in the browser. When you plug in a USB or HDMI capture card that your OS exposes as a webcam, you can select it like any other camera in the studio.

For console streaming, we explain that you don’t actually need a capture card if you’re using a modern gaming PC, but a card can enhance streams and is particularly helpful when you’re capturing from consoles like Xbox. (StreamYard Xbox guide)

Good for:

• Creators who prioritize ease of use and a clean, web-based studio
• Inviting remote guests who can join without downloads
• Multi-streaming and webinars with production control
• High quality local recordings in 4K resolution

Riverside

Riverside’s help center walks through using an external DSLR or mirrorless camera and explicitly advises connecting the camera through an external capture card for higher-resolution recordings. (Riverside) They also list cards like the Elgato Cam Link 4K as commonly used among their creators. (Riverside recommendations)

Restream

Restream’s article on streaming with a capture card explains the wiring (HDMI into the card, USB into the computer), then instructs you to add the capture card as a video capture source in your streaming software, such as OBS. (Restream)

Good for:

• Using Restream as a distribution hub alongside desktop software like OBS

Bottom line:

• If you prefer desktop apps: OBS and Streamlabs work directly with capture cards via Video Capture Device.
• If you prefer browser studios: StreamYard, Riverside, and Restream Studio can use capture cards when your OS shows them as webcam devices.

How do you set up an Elgato capture card in OBS, Streamlabs, or StreamYard?

Let’s walk through a practical setup using an Elgato-style HDMI card.

1. Wire your hardware

The basic wiring is consistent whether you use OBS, Streamlabs, or StreamYard:

1. HDMI out from your camera or console into the capture card.
2. USB from the capture card into your computer.
3. Optional: HDMI passthrough from the card to a monitor/TV if your card supports it.

Restream’s capture-card guide uses this same flow when showing how to bring a console into streaming software. (Restream)

2. Add the capture card in OBS

In OBS:

• Create or open a scene.
• Click + in the Sources panel.
• Choose Video Capture Device.
• Select your capture card from the device dropdown (just like you would a webcam). (Windows Central)

Adjust resolution, frame rate, and audio settings as needed.

3. Add the capture card in Streamlabs Desktop

In Streamlabs Desktop:

• In the Sources section, click +.
• Add a Video Capture Device source.
• Pick your capture card from the list of devices. (Streamlabs)

From there, you can resize it, add overlays, and mix audio levels inside Streamlabs.

4. Use the capture card in StreamYard

In StreamYard, once your card is plugged in and recognized by the OS:

• Open your StreamYard studio.
• Click the camera settings.
• Select the capture card as your camera input.

For Xbox streaming, we explain that a capture card is optional for modern PC workflows, but it can give you more flexibility and a smoother console-to-stream pipeline. (StreamYard Xbox guide)

The big advantage here: you skip driver installs and heavy configs. If your OS can see the card, you can pick it and go live in the browser.

Do browser streaming platforms support direct capture‑card inputs?

Yes—most do, with one key condition: your capture card must show up to the browser as a camera.

• On StreamYard, the card appears in your camera list. You pick it just like any webcam.
• On Riverside, the recommended setup for using a DSLR or mirrorless camera involves connecting through an external capture card, then choosing that input in the studio. (Riverside)
• Restream Studio can also use capture cards when they appear as webcam devices; Restream’s article focuses on wiring and then leveraging tools like OBS to bring the signal in. (Restream)

The main trade-off:

• Browser studios (StreamYard, Riverside, Restream Studio):

  • Pros: no downloads, easy for guests, fast setup.
  • Cons: fewer knobs for ultra-advanced routing.

• Desktop apps (OBS, Streamlabs):

  • Pros: deep control over scenes, filters, plugins.
  • Cons: steeper learning curve and more to maintain.

For most creators who care about simple, reliable shows with guests and multi-streaming, StreamYard’s browser studio is the better fit.

What capture card should you buy for 4K or 60fps streaming?

This article isn’t a full hardware buyer’s guide, but a few points will help you pair cards with software.

Riverside highlights the Elgato Cam Link as a commonly used capture card among its creators, especially for higher-resolution DSLR inputs. (Riverside recommendations)

When evaluating cards for OBS, Streamlabs, or browser studios:

• Look for:

  • USB 3.0 or higher.
  • Support for the resolution and frame rate you plan to use (e.g., 1080p60, 4K30, or higher).
  • UVC (USB Video Class) compatibility so your OS treats it like a standard webcam.

• Match the card to your actual content:

  • Streaming to platforms like Twitch or YouTube often happens at 1080p; you may not benefit much from a 4K workflow unless your audience, device, and platform all support it.
  • Higher specs mean more data, which can increase CPU, GPU, and network demands.

In many real-world setups, a reliable 1080p60 card paired with simple, stable software delivers a better experience than a complex 4K chain.

When does StreamYard beat OBS, Streamlabs, Riverside, or Restream?

All of these tools support capture cards in some way, so the real question is workflow.

StreamYard is the better default when you:

• Care most about ease of use and a quick learning curve.
  • Many creators discover StreamYard and jump on it for its ease of use, user-friendliness, and clean setup, often after finding OBS too convoluted.
• Bring on remote guests.
  • Guests can join easily and reliably without tech problems or downloads, which is why StreamYard often “passes the grandparent test.”
• Need multi-streaming and remote production.
  • Creators default to StreamYard when they have remote guests or need multi-streaming, and they like our studio environment for webinars and live shows.

Desktop tools can be a better fit when you:

• Want advanced, custom scene routing that goes beyond what a browser studio offers.
• Need a highly specialized plugin workflow.

Riverside can be a better fit when:

• Your primary need is high-resolution recorded interviews rather than live, multi-seat shows; they specifically encourage external capture cards for higher-resolution camera inputs. (Riverside)

Restream is helpful when:

• You’re already committed to a desktop encoder like OBS but want a central service to send your stream to multiple destinations, using their capture-card workflow with OBS as the source. (Restream)

What we recommend

• If you want the simplest path: use a UVC-compatible capture card and connect it to StreamYard; pick the card as your camera and go live.
• If you’re a power user: pair OBS or Streamlabs with a capture card as a Video Capture Device, then decide whether to send that feed to YouTube, Twitch, or a distribution service.
• If you care about remote guests and multi-streaming: start with StreamYard’s free plan, test your capture card, and upgrade to Core or Advanced as your production grows.