Genki ShadowCast 2
Expert rating7 / 10
- Form Factor:
- Camera Dongle
- Max Recording Resolution:
- 1080p60
- Passthrough Resolution:
- 4K60
- HDR Support:
- No
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Manufacturer: Genki Last updated: September 12, 2026
Genki ShadowCast 2 (Camera Dongle / Keychain-Sized / 1080p60 Capture / 4K60 Passthrough / USB-C Plug-and-Play) Review
The Genki ShadowCast 2 is a keychain-sized USB-C capture dongle recording 1080p60 with 4K60 passthrough, built for buyers who want a genuinely pocketable capture device without giving up 4K monitoring.
The original ShadowCast was already tiny, the ShadowCast 2 keeps that keychain-sized form factor while adding 1080p60 capture (up from the original's 1080p30) and 4K60 passthrough. It's genuinely one of the smallest capture devices that still supports full 4K passthrough, which matters if your monitor is 4K but you don't mind recording at 1080p60. Being crowdfunded and community-driven rather than a big-brand product, support and software updates move slower than Elgato or AVerMedia, worth knowing going in.
Genuinely Pocket-Sized With 4K Passthrough
Most capture devices this small cap passthrough at 1080p to keep the hardware simple. The ShadowCast 2 keeps a full 4K60 passthrough path while staying keychain-sized, a real engineering trade-off pulled off well.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Elgato Cam Link 4K already in our catalog, the Cam Link supports 4K30 direct capture while the ShadowCast 2 caps recording at 1080p60 but adds 4K60 passthrough the Cam Link doesn't offer in the same way. Against the AVerMedia Live Streamer CAP BU110 in this list, the ShadowCast 2's 1080p60 capture beats the BU110's 1080p30 cap, worth it if the extra size difference doesn't matter to you.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Genki |
|---|
Design
| Form Factor | Camera Dongle |
|---|---|
| Connection Type | USB-C / Thunderbolt |
Performance
| Max Recording Resolution | 1080p60 |
|---|---|
| Passthrough Resolution | 4K60 |
| HDR Support | No |
Signal handling
| Latency | 35 ms |
|---|
| Model | ShadowCast 2 |
|---|
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating7 / 10
An impressively small dongle that keeps 4K passthrough alongside 1080p60 capture, just know it's a smaller company than Elgato or AVerMedia.
Best for
- Travelers and portable streamers wanting the smallest possible capture device.
- Buyers on a 4K monitor who still want smooth passthrough while recording at 1080p60.
- Console capture where 1080p60 recording is genuinely enough.
Not for
- 4K recording itself, this device only supports 4K passthrough, not 4K capture.
- Anyone wanting established big-brand software support and long-term update cadence.
- Professional AV or broadcast use, this is a consumer gaming-focused dongle.
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Genki ShadowCast 2 (Camera Dongle / Keychain-Sized / 1080p60 Capture / 4K60 Passthrough / USB-C Plug-and-Play)?
The Genki ShadowCast 2 (Camera Dongle / Keychain-Sized / 1080p60 Capture / 4K60 Passthrough / USB-C Plug-and-Play) is a capture card from Genki. Key specs: Connection Type USB-C / Thunderbolt, Max Recording Resolution 1080p60, Passthrough Resolution 4K60, HDR Support No, Latency 35.
Who is the Genki ShadowCast 2 (Camera Dongle / Keychain-Sized / 1080p60 Capture / 4K60 Passthrough / USB-C Plug-and-Play) best suited to?
It suits travelers and portable streamers wanting the smallest possible capture device., buyers on a 4k monitor who still want smooth passthrough while recording at 1080p60., console capture where 1080p60 recording is genuinely enough..
What are the drawbacks of the Genki ShadowCast 2 (Camera Dongle / Keychain-Sized / 1080p60 Capture / 4K60 Passthrough / USB-C Plug-and-Play)?
It is a poor fit for 4k recording itself, this device only supports 4k passthrough, not 4k capture., anyone wanting established big-brand software support and long-term update cadence., professional av or broadcast use, this is a consumer gaming-focused dongle..
Compare and read more
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