AVerMedia

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

Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more

Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

Manufacturer: AVerMedia Last updated: September 14, 2026

Where to buy

AmazonGo to store

AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1 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.

Our verdict

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.

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	AVerMedia
Model Number	GC535

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

Capture ceiling, SDR

Max Capture Frame Rate	60 fps at 4K on Windows; 30 fps at 4K on macOS
Max 1080p Frame Rate	4 fps

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)?

Key specs for the AVerMedia Streamer Ultra 2.1: Form Factor Compact external box, 113 x 70 x 28mm, 190g, 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?

Best suited to: 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)?

Not the best 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.