AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1
Expert rating7 / 10
- Form Factor:
- External USB
- Connection Type:
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- Max Recording Resolution:
- 4K60 (Windows)
- Passthrough Resolution:
- 2160p144 HDR/VRR (HDMI 2.1 mode)
- HDR Support:
- Yes
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Manufacturer: AVerMedia Last updated: September 14, 2026
AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 (GC535) (External USB 3.2 Gen 2 / 4K60 Capture / Switchable HDMI 2.1-2.0 / Up to 2160p144 Passthrough / Live-Commerce & DSLR Production) Review
The AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 (GC535) is an external USB 3.2 Gen 2 capture box recording true 4K60 on Windows (4K30 on macOS) with a switchable HDMI 2.1/2.0 passthrough reaching up to 2160p144 or 1440p240, launched August 2026 alongside the lower-spec GC531 for live-commerce and DSLR production streamers.
The GC535 is the senior half of AVerMedia's August 2026 live-commerce launch pair, stepping up from the GC531 with a faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) connection and full HDMI 2.1 support that can be switched to a more compatible HDMI 2.0 default mode via software. Its headline number is genuine 4K60 capture on Windows, a real step up from the GC531's 4K30 ceiling, though macOS users are capped at 4K30 regardless of the faster USB link — a platform-specific limitation worth knowing about upfront. Passthrough again outpaces capture, as usual for this category: HDMI 2.1 mode reaches 2160p144 or 1440p240 with VRR, well beyond what gets recorded to disk. As with its sibling, this is a brand-new SKU with essentially no independent hands-on reviews yet, so treat AVerMedia's published specs as the primary source pending third-party testing.
4K60 Capture, But Windows-Only
The GC535's genuine step up over the GC531 is 4K60 recording — a real, not just passthrough, capability on Windows. macOS users, however, are capped at 4K30 regardless of the faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 link, a platform gap AVerMedia doesn't fully explain but that macOS-based live-commerce or DSLR production streamers should confirm before buying.
Switchable HDMI 2.1 / 2.0 Modes
Rather than locking to one HDMI generation, the GC535 lets you toggle between full HDMI 2.1 passthrough (up to 2160p144 or 1440p240 with VRR and HDR) and a more broadly compatible HDMI 2.0 default mode (2160p60, 1440p144, 1080p240, HDR only, no VRR) via AVerMedia's Assist Central Pro software — useful if your monitor or source device doesn't fully support HDMI 2.1.
Same Category, Thin Independent Coverage
Like the GC531, the GC535 launched in August 2026 with only announcement-stage press coverage so far (Gaming Trend, Modders Inc, NERDS.xyz, Jumbo Computer) and no in-depth independent hands-on reviews as of this writing. Specs here are sourced from AVerMedia's own product page.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against its sibling the GC531, the GC535 is the meaningfully faster option — true 4K60 capture on Windows versus 4K30, plus switchable HDMI 2.1 support — for buyers willing to pay more and use a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host port. Against the Elgato 4K X in our catalog, the two land close on capture spec (both true 4K60), but the 4K X is an internal PCIe card requiring a desktop slot, while the GC535 is external and USB-based, plus the 4K X edges ahead on passthrough ceiling (4K144 vs the GC535's 4K144 HDMI 2.1 mode, roughly matched) and has a longer independent review track record.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | AVerMedia |
|---|
Design
| Form Factor | Compact external box, 113 x 70 x 28mm, 190g |
|---|---|
| Connection Type | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10Gbps) |
Performance
| Max Recording Resolution | 2160p60 (4K60) on Windows; capped at 2160p30 (4K30) on macOS |
|---|---|
| Passthrough Resolution | HDMI 2.1 mode: 2160p144, 1440p240, 1080p360 with HDR/VRR. HDMI 2.0 default mode: 2160p60, 1440p144, 1080p240 with HDR — both meaningfully higher than the capture ceiling in refresh rate |
| Model | GC535 |
|---|---|
| Max Capture FPS at 4K | 60 fps at 4K on Windows; 30 fps at 4K on macOS |
| Max Capture FPS at 1080p | Not separately published beyond the 4K figures — treat as at least matching the 4K60 Windows ceiling |
| HDMI Version | HDMI 2.1, switchable down to HDMI 2.0 default via AVerMedia's Assist Central Pro software |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating7 / 10
A genuinely capable 4K60 external capture box with flexible HDMI 2.1/2.0 switching for live-commerce and DSLR streamers, held back only by its brand-new status and a macOS capture cap at 4K30.
Best for
- Live-commerce and DSLR-production streamers on Windows who need genuine 4K60 recorded footage.
- Buyers who want switchable HDMI 2.1/2.0 passthrough to match whatever monitor or camera they're feeding through it.
- Setups with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) host port available.
Not for
- macOS users specifically needing 4K60 capture — this card caps at 4K30 on macOS regardless of USB speed.
- Gamers looking for a gaming-branded capture card — like the GC531, this is positioned for live-commerce/DSLR use.
- Buyers wanting independently verified real-world performance — this is an August 2026 launch with no in-depth reviews yet.
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 (GC535) (External USB 3.2 Gen 2 / 4K60 Capture / Switchable HDMI 2.1-2.0 / Up to 2160p144 Passthrough / Live-Commerce & DSLR Production)?
The AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 (GC535) (External USB 3.2 Gen 2 / 4K60 Capture / Switchable HDMI 2.1-2.0 / Up to 2160p144 Passthrough / Live-Commerce & DSLR Production) is a capture card from AVerMedia. Key specs: Connection Type USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10Gbps), Max Recording Resolution 2160p60 (4K60) on Windows; capped at 2160p30 (4K30) on macOS, Max Capture FPS at 4K 60 fps at 4K on Windows; 30 fps at 4K on macOS, Max Capture FPS at 1080p Not separately published beyond the 4K figures — treat as at least matching the 4K60 Windows ceiling, Passthrough Resolution HDMI 2.1 mode: 2160p144, 1440p240, 1080p360 with HDR/VRR. HDMI 2.0 default mode: 2160p60, 1440p144, 1080p240 with HDR — both meaningfully higher than the capture ceiling in refresh rate.
Who is the AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 (GC535) (External USB 3.2 Gen 2 / 4K60 Capture / Switchable HDMI 2.1-2.0 / Up to 2160p144 Passthrough / Live-Commerce & DSLR Production) best suited to?
It suits live-commerce and dslr-production streamers on windows who need genuine 4k60 recorded footage., buyers who want switchable hdmi 2.1/2.0 passthrough to match whatever monitor or camera they're feeding through it., setups with a usb 3.2 gen 2 (10gbps) host port available..
What are the drawbacks of the AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 (GC535) (External USB 3.2 Gen 2 / 4K60 Capture / Switchable HDMI 2.1-2.0 / Up to 2160p144 Passthrough / Live-Commerce & DSLR Production)?
It is a poor fit for macos users specifically needing 4k60 capture — this card caps at 4k30 on macos regardless of usb speed., gamers looking for a gaming-branded capture card — like the gc531, this is positioned for live-commerce/dslr use., buyers wanting independently verified real-world performance — this is an august 2026 launch with no in-depth reviews yet..