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Genki ShadowCast 2 vs Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber: Comparison
What is the difference between Genki ShadowCast 2 and Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber?
The gap that matters here is latency: Genki ShadowCast 2 35 ms against Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber 100 ms, which puts Genki ShadowCast 2 186% ahead. They differ on connection type too, USB-C / Thunderbolt on the Genki ShadowCast 2 versus USB 3.0 on the Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber.
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 built for anyone wanting established big-brand software support and long-term update cadence. The same goes for buyers on a 4K monitor who still want smooth passthrough while recording at 1080p60. It is the wrong buy for 4K recording itself, this device only supports 4K passthrough, not 4K capture. Buy the Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber for casual camera or console capture where HDCP-protected sources aren't involved, though it is not the pick for true 4K recording, since actual capture is limited to 1080p60. It is equally the pick for budget streamers who want a 4K monitor loop-out with basic 1080p60 recording. Avoid it for any HDCP-protected source, such as most streaming boxes or Blu-ray players. 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 Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber (5/10): one of the better budget HDMI dongles, but still a 1080p60 recorder wearing a 4K label. Fine for casual use, not a Cam Link 4K substitute.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, form factor, max recording resolution and hdr support included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- Camera Dongle
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- Camera Dongle
Brand
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- Genki
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- Pengo Technology
Model Number
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- ShadowCast 2
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 4K HDMI Grabber
Connection Type
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- USB-C / Thunderbolt
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- USB 3.0
Max Recording Resolution
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- 1080p60
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 1080p60
Passthrough Resolution
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- 4K60
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 4K60 (HDMI loop-out)
HDR Support
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- No
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- No
Latency
- Genki ShadowCast 2
- 35 msBest
- Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
- 100 ms-186%
Which one should you pick?
Choose Genki ShadowCast 2 if you want the lower latency (35 ms vs 100 ms).
Choose Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber 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.
Pengo Technology Pengo 4K HDMI Grabber
5 / 10 Expert Rating
One of the better budget HDMI dongles, but still a 1080p60 recorder wearing a 4K label.