It’s sometimes difficult to understand what HDMI really is. For example, let’s say you have a laptop and a Raspberry Pi. Both of these devices have an HDMI port. So you might think that it is possible to connect the Raspberry Pi to the laptop, and use the laptop’s screen as a display screen, right?
The problem is, it’s not that simple. The HDMI ports on both of these devices are outputs. Only devices such as TVs and monitors have HDMI input ports.
Points to remember about the Vixlw HDMI capture dongle
- The Vixlw brand HDMI capture dongle is available for around €17 (without delivery costs).
- Cheap, simple to use and very reliable. Works well with OBS Studio software (often used by streamers).
- Limited to 1080p output and cannot connect headphones or a microphone.
To display a video stream on a computer screen you need a video capture device. If professionals (or those who want to make high-quality captures, for example to record game streaming) need a dedicated video capture card, most of us can get by with something more simple. Like this dongle.
Technical specifications of the Vixlw HDMI capture dongle
- Port of entry: HDMI
- Output port: USB
- Maximum input resolution: up to 4K
- Output resolution: 1080p
- Maximum output frame rate: 30 frames per second
The Vixlw HDMI capture dongle couldn’t be simpler to use:
- Connect an HDMI cable to the dongle input
- Connect the dongle to the computer using a free USB-A or USB-C port (a USB-A to USB-C converter is provided)
- And it’s done! No driver needed
The dongle comes with a USB-A to USB-C converter. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
As for software on PC, you can use software like OBS Studio, free and very powerful. Mac users can use the built-in Quicktime Player software.
This capture dongle has some limitations though. For example, you cannot exceed 1080p output. You cannot connect an audio device such as a microphone to the dongle either.
Output from a Raspberry Pi running Ubuntu captured by OBS Studio via the HDMI capture dongle. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If you need more performance, you can turn to AVerMedia’s HDMI 2.1 capture card, which can capture 4K video at 60fps and also has 3.5mm jacks for microphone and headphone inputs.
ZDNET’s purchasing advice for the Vixlw HDMI capture dongle
This Vixlw HDMI capture dongle is a cheap, nice and reliable way to capture up to 4K video from a device and output it to a PC at 1080p.
Of course, this dongle for less than 20 euros has certain limitations. After all, this is a dongle for less than 20 euros. But I’ve found many uses for it, from managing Raspberry Pi devices to outputting the screen of broken laptops to my laptop to help with data recovery.
For the price, it’s definitely a little device that deserves a place in your tech toolbox.
Source: “ZDNet.com”