Description
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini GC311 redefines portable streaming by packing high-performance video capture into a pocket-sized form factor. Weighing just 74.5 grams, this compact capture card delivers Full HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second with zero-latency pass-through, ensuring your gaming experience remains fluid and uninterrupted. With its built-in H.264 hardware encoder, the device offloads video processing from your computer's CPU, allowing budget-friendly laptops and desktop rigs to stream and record high-quality gameplay without performance drops.
This versatile capture card is engineered to meet the specific needs of various content creators and gamers:
- Console Gamers: Perfect for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox players who want to stream their gameplay to Twitch or YouTube without experiencing lag on their gaming monitor.
- Mobile and iPad Streamers: Ideal for creators utilizing iPadOS 17 or newer with USB-C ports to capture and broadcast mobile games on the go.
- Entry-Level Streamers: A budget-friendly, plug-and-play solution for beginners who want professional 1080p60 quality without complex hardware installations.
- Traveling Creators: Its ultra-lightweight, 100mm footprint fits easily into any laptop bag, making it the ultimate companion for live streaming from events, tournaments, or hotels.
- Dual-PC Setup Users: Provides a dedicated, hardware-accelerated capture link between a gaming PC and a streaming PC to maximize frame rates on the primary gaming rig.
The technical architecture of this capture card is optimized for efficiency and broad compatibility:
- Interface: USB 2.0 (Micro-B to Type-A connection)
- Video Input & Output (Pass-Through): HDMI 1.4 / HDMI 2.0 compatible
- Maximum Pass-Through Resolution: 1080p at 60 frames per second
- Maximum Capture Resolution: 1080p at 60 frames per second
- Supported Resolutions: 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 480p, 480i
- Record Format: MPEG 4 (H.264 + AAC) with integrated hardware compression
- Physical Dimensions: 100 x 57 x 18.8 mm (3.93 x 2.24 x 0.74 inches)
- Net Weight: 74.5 grams (2.62 ounces)
- OS Compatibility: Windows 10/11, macOS 11 or later (not compatible with macOS 12), iPadOS 17+ (Type-C)
Setting up the device is remarkably straightforward, requiring no complex driver installations thanks to its UVC (USB Video Class) protocol support. Once connected via the included Micro-USB to Type-A cable, the capture card is instantly recognized by popular broadcasting software such as OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and AVerMedia’s proprietary RECentral platform. During extended streaming sessions, the zero-latency HDMI pass-through ensures that what you see on your gaming monitor is perfectly synchronized with your controller inputs. The onboard hardware encoder proves its worth by keeping CPU utilization remarkably low, preventing frame drops and system stuttering even on mid-range laptops.
When compared to generic, unbranded USB capture dongles, this device stands out due to its dedicated hardware encoder and robust thermal management, which prevents thermal throttling during long broadcasts. Unlike internal PCIe capture cards that restrict you to a single desktop PC, its external, ultra-portable design offers multi-platform flexibility across desktops, laptops, and iPads. While higher-end models in the Live Gamer series offer 4K HDR pass-through and high-refresh-rate support, this model focuses on delivering the most stable, cost-effective, and CPU-friendly 1080p60 streaming experience available in its price class.
To help you get the most out of your streaming setup, here are answers to the most common technical questions:
- Does this capture card support HDCP-protected content? No, the device does not support the viewing, recording, or streaming of any content protected by HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), such as Blu-ray discs or certain streaming apps.
- Can I use this device with Apple Silicon M1 or M2 Macs? Yes, it is fully compatible with Apple M-series and Intel-based Macs running macOS 11 or newer, with the specific exception of macOS 12.
- Does it support 4K or high-refresh-rate pass-through? No, this model is designed strictly for standard Full HD resolutions and does not support 4K, HDR, widescreen aspect ratios, or high-refresh-rate pass-through.
- What are the minimum system requirements for Windows laptops? You will need an Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics card, and at least 8 GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM.
- Can I stream directly from an iPad? Yes, with iPadOS 17 or higher and a compatible USB-C port, you can use this capture card to stream or record directly from your iPad.
