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Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K vs Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus: Comparison
Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder vs Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus latency compared
Latency is where these two genuinely part company, Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4 ms against Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus 5 ms, a 25% lead for Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder.
Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder vs Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus: which one fits your build
The Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder suits edit bays with small-form-factor chassis needing a low-profile card and professionals capturing from SDI camera or switcher outputs without adapters. It is equally the pick for video editors working natively in DaVinci Resolve who need SDI and HDMI capture. It is not the one for console or PC gaming capture, no gaming-oriented software is included at all. The Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus is the one to take for broadcast and multi-camera production studios needing hardware sync and facilities already standardized on Magewell's Pro Capture SDK and ecosystem, though it is not built for laptop users, this is a desktop-only internal PCIe card and anyone not doing multi-camera or broadcast-grade production work. The same goes for anyone needing sustained 4K60 capture bandwidth beyond what USB can reliably deliver. Avoid it for home streamers or gamers, this is priced well beyond consumer capture needs. Our rating of the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder (8/10): an excellent low-profile SDI/HDMI capture card for DaVinci Resolve editors, entirely wrong for gaming capture. Our rating of the Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus (8/10): professional-grade internal capture built for broadcast production, overkill and overpriced for anyone outside that world.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder and Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus differ on max recording resolution?
Yes. Max Recording Resolution reads 4K30 on the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder versus 4K60 on the Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus.
Is the Form Factor the same on the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder and Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus?
It is. Both are listed at Internal PCIe, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- Internal PCIe
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- Internal PCIe
Brand
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- Blackmagic Design
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- Magewell
Model Number
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
Connection Type
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- PCIe x4
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- PCIe x4
Max Recording Resolution
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- 4K30
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- 4K60
Passthrough Resolution
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- 1080p60
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- 4K60
HDR Support
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- No
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- No
Latency
- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
- 4 msBest
- Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
- 5 ms-25%
Which one should you pick?
Choose Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K if you want the lower latency (4 ms vs 5 ms).
Choose Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K | Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
8 / 10 Expert Rating
An excellent low-profile SDI/HDMI capture card for DaVinci Resolve editors, entirely wrong for gaming capture.
Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus
8 / 10 Expert Rating
Professional-grade internal capture built for broadcast production, overkill and overpriced for anyone outside that world.