VLC media playerLinux
vs
Elgato Game Capture HDWindows
VLC media player as a Linux alternative to Elgato Game Capture HD
Updated
Our verdict
VLC can replace the software side of using an Elgato Game Capture HD for basic HDMI capture on Linux, but only if you have a UVC-compliant USB capture device. It won’t replace the Elgato hardware, but it can record or stream from external sources like consoles when paired with compatible capture hardware. It supports 720p/1080p, saves to MP4/MKV, and has low CPU overhead when pass-through is handled by the device. Best for users who already own or are using a generic USB capture card and want open-source, no-cost software.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.0.23 (January 1, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both can capture video from external HDMI sources when paired with capture hardware
- Support recording at 720p and 1080p resolutions
- Save recordings in standard formats like MP4 and MKV
- Work with open-source software ecosystems
- Allow live monitoring with low-latency pass-through if the capture device supports it
What is different
- VLC is software only and requires a separate UVC-compliant capture device; Elgato includes hardware
- Elgato provides dedicated software (Game Capture HD60) with more intuitive controls and overlays
- VLC lacks built-in scene switching, audio mixing, or streaming presets
- No hardware encoding acceleration managed by VLC like in Elgato devices
- VLC does not support direct pass-through to a monitor unless the capture device handles it
Opening your Elgato Game Capture HD files
VLC can open and play back MP4 and MKV files recorded by Elgato Game Capture HD without issues, as these are standard container formats. It does not natively use Elgato’s proprietary metadata or project files, but video content itself is fully compatible. If Elgato uses non-standard codecs, VLC likely still supports them, including H.264. Exporting from VLC to formats used by Elgato is also possible through transcoding, though no direct project import exists.
Switching from Elgato Game Capture HD to VLC media player, step by step
- Obtain a UVC-compliant USB HDMI capture device (e.g., Magewell, EVOMATICA, or generic RTL2832U-based)
- Connect your console to the capture device via HDMI, and the device to your Linux machine
- Install VLC via your package manager or Flathub: 'sudo apt install vlc' or 'flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC'
- Open VLC, go to Media > Open Capture Device, select 'Video for Linux (V4L2)' or 'Direct Show' equivalent, choose the capture device
- Set recording path and click 'Play' to monitor, then 'Record' to save to MP4 or MKV
Key features of VLC media player
- Plays most audio and video formats out of the box
- Supports DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs and network streams
- Built‑in subtitle support with synchronization
- Media conversion and basic editing
- Streaming server capabilities
- Extensible via plugins and skins
- Command‑line interface for scripting
How to install VLC media player on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLCFrequently asked questions
Can VLC replace the Elgato Game Capture HD60 hardware?
No. VLC is software only. You still need a separate USB HDMI capture device that supports UVC.
Does VLC support live streaming from a console like the Elgato software does?
Yes, VLC can stream to services like YouTube or RTMP servers, but requires manual setup of stream output parameters.
Is recording quality in VLC comparable to Elgato’s software?
Yes, if using the same capture hardware. Quality depends on the device, not VLC, which acts as a recorder.
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