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Genki ShadowCast 2 vs Hauppauge USB-Live2: Comparison
Genki ShadowCast 2 vs Hauppauge USB-Live2 connection type compared
The first real difference is connection type: Genki ShadowCast 2 USB-C / Thunderbolt against Hauppauge USB-Live2 USB 2.0. They differ on max recording resolution too, 1080p60 on the Genki ShadowCast 2 versus 480i / 576i on the Hauppauge USB-Live2. They differ on passthrough resolution too, 4K60 on the Genki ShadowCast 2 versus None on the Hauppauge USB-Live2.
Who each one is for
The Genki ShadowCast 2 suits travelers and portable streamers wanting the smallest possible capture device and console capture where 1080p60 recording is genuinely enough, though it is not the pick for anyone wanting established big-brand software support and long-term update cadence. It is equally the pick for buyers on a 4K monitor who still want smooth passthrough while recording at 1080p60. It is not the one for 4K recording itself, this device only supports 4K passthrough, not 4K capture. Buy the Hauppauge USB-Live2 for digitizing VHS tapes, camcorder footage, or other composite/S-Video sources and preserving retro console footage from systems with no HDMI output, though it is the wrong buy for streaming or live passthrough monitoring and anyone needing HD or 4K resolution capture. It is the wrong buy for any HDMI source, since it has no HDMI input at all. Our rating of the Genki ShadowCast 2 (7/10): an impressively small dongle that keeps 4K passthrough alongside 1080p60 capture, just know it's a smaller company than Elgato or AVerMedia. Our rating of the Hauppauge USB-Live2 (6/10): A dedicated, no-frills analog video digitizer. Good at exactly one job, do not buy it expecting HDMI game capture.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Form factor and hdr support read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- Camera Dongle
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- Camera Dongle
Brand
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- Genki
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- Hauppauge
Model Number
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- ShadowCast 2
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- USB-Live2 (610)
Connection Type
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- USB-C / Thunderbolt
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- USB 2.0
Max Recording Resolution
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- 1080p60
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- 480i / 576i (SD)
Passthrough Resolution
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- 4K60
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- None
HDR Support
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- No
- Hauppauge USB-Live2
- No
Which one should you pick?
Choose Genki ShadowCast 2 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Hauppauge USB-Live2 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Verdict
Genki ShadowCast 2
7 / 10 Expert Rating
An impressively small dongle that keeps 4K passthrough alongside 1080p60 capture, just know it's a smaller company than Elgato or AVerMedia.
Hauppauge USB-Live2
6 / 10 Expert Rating
A dedicated, no-frills analog video digitizer.