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Genki ShadowCast 2 vs UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card: Comparison

What is the difference between Genki ShadowCast 2 and UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card?

Latency is where these two genuinely part company, Genki ShadowCast 2 35 ms against UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card 80 ms, a 129% lead for Genki ShadowCast 2.

Which should you buy, Genki ShadowCast 2 or UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card?

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 the wrong buy 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 the wrong buy for 4K recording itself, this device only supports 4K passthrough, not 4K capture. The UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card is the one to take for casual console or camera capture where advanced software isn't needed and anyone wanting a simple, driver-free UVC capture dongle, though it is not the pick for buyers wanting established brand support and long-term firmware updates and 4K recording, this device caps capture at 1080p60. The same goes for budget buyers wanting basic 1080p60 capture without a gaming-brand price tag. 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 UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card (5/10): A genuinely usable budget dongle for basic 1080p60 capture, with the software polish and support gap you'd expect at this price.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Genki ShadowCast 2 and UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card differ on connection type?

Yes. Connection Type reads USB-C / Thunderbolt on the Genki ShadowCast 2 versus USB 3.0 / 3.2 Gen 1 on the UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card.

Is the Form Factor the same on the Genki ShadowCast 2 and UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card?

It is. Both are listed at Camera Dongle, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    Camera Dongle
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    Camera Dongle
  • Brand

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    Genki
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    UGREEN
  • Model Number

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    ShadowCast 2
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    CM477
  • Connection Type

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    USB-C / Thunderbolt
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    USB 3.0 / 3.2 Gen 1
  • Max Recording Resolution

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    1080p60
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    1080p60
  • Passthrough Resolution

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    4K60
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    4K30
  • HDR Support

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    No
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    No
  • Latency

    Genki ShadowCast 2
    35 msBest
    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card
    80 ms-129%

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Genki ShadowCast 2 if you want the lower latency (35 ms vs 80 ms).

    Choose UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card 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.

    UGREEN CM477 4K HDMI Capture Card

    5 / 10 Expert Rating

    A genuinely usable budget dongle for basic 1080p60 capture, with the software polish and support gap you'd expect at this price.

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