Best Buy: Top 10 Gaming GPUs for High-Quality Online Viewing

The Top 10 Capture Cards for YouTube

Richard Bennett

Nov 04, 2022• Proven solutions

0

If you are like to share gameplay videos, it’s very important that you have a high-quality capture card. With the help of a capture card, you can easily get all of the in-game footage that you need to make amazing videos and grow a healthy YouTube channel . In this article we will break down the top 10 capture cards for gaming YouTubers in 2018:

• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro
• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S
• Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing
• Hauppage Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal 1080P HD-PVR
• Elgato Game Capture HD
• Imillet HDMI Video Capture with USB 3.0/2.0 Dongle
• HDML Cloner Box Pro
• Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder
• HDML Cloner Box Evolve
• AVerMedia AVerCapture HD

Click here for more tips on being a YouTube gamer .

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro

Price: $204

Compatibility: Windows, Switch, 360, Xbox One, PS4

Specs: Internal PCI 4k 30fps

Highlights: Made for streaming. Improved benchmark speeds.

This capture card works with an HDMI interface as well as the ability to be plugged into any type of PC game device. The process for setting it up and recording is extremely simple and the casing has been designed for improving the performance of the system and making it easier to integrate with many different devices. With an up to 16 MB per second capture bitrate, this is a pro tool.

2. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S

Price: $160

Compatibility: Xbox one, switch, ps4

Specs: This device does 1080p at 60 fps

Highlights: This is one of very few game capture devices that come with USB 3.0 compatibility for easy access to almost any type of gaming device.

The card itself is mind-blowingly easy to set up with its external USB. It’s made for live streaming to YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms. There’s very low latency available on this card and it is one of the highest quality tools for console players.

3. Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing

Price: $80

Compatibility: PC, Xbox, PS4

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This USB 3.0 capture card can be quite easily installed almost anywhere and captures up to 60 frames per second for live streams.

This card comes with a wide range of ports including DVI, Component, HDMI, VGA, and USB. It’s tough to find a capture card that has so many different ports available and this can ensure that it’s possible to capture on almost any type of gaming system or device. A helpful tutorial is also included with this capture card to ensure that you can get the best video format from every console.

4. Hauppauge Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal Card

Price: $135

Compatibility: TV, DVR, Satellite, Xbox, PC, PlayStation

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This card is an internal PCI card allowing it to remain as a consistent capture device inside a PC.

This card is perfect for recording live programs from a TV to your computer, offloading programs off of your DVR, as well as recording live game footage from PlayStation, Xbox, or your PC. Included alongside this card is the chance to use Stream EEZ for live streaming directly to platforms like Upstream, Twitch, and YouTube.

5. Elgato Game Capture HD

Price: $159

Compatibility: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, Mac

Specs: 1080p at 60fps

Highlights: The game capture HD offers a one-click sharing system to YouTube as well as flashback recording where you can turn back 10 or 15 minutes to record content that just happened.

Overall this is one of the easiest capture cards to set up because it comes with USB 3.0 and HDMI connections. For most modern gaming consoles, it offers the same type of features including the flashback recording solution to record retroactively. The device includes unlimited game capture at a fairly reasonable price and a creation suite so that you can do multitrack recording from your webcam. Editing footage from the card makes it very easy to quickly export clips for all of your content and publish them on social media. This game capture device is also known for its extremely compact design. It is only around the size of a mobile phone, meaning it can be quite easily carried in your pocket.

6. Imillet HDMI Capture Card with USB 3.0 Dongle

Price: $148

Compatibility: Plug and play with no drivers needed. PC, Mac, Linux, any iOS

Specs: 1080p 60 fps

Highlights: Doesn’t require any type of driver installation. This will work on any operating system or computer for quick recording.

The card itself is known for its USB 3.0 support as well as USB 2.0, and for not needing drivers. There is no more compatible card on the market right now. If you have had issues with other cards in the past or you regularly run Linux, you should consider this device to be prepared for all your recording needs. The device will detect the input and adjust output automatically to ensure a crystal-clear picture based on the type of device that you’re recording from. Imillet also offers a great warranty of six months free replacement as well as 12 months free repair on the card for anyone that is ordering it. The software that comes with the card is extremely simple but it does the job quite effectively, allowing for quick recording from multiple devices and simple detection for a video signal and output. Input formats can range from 480p to 1080p and frame rates can go as high as 60 frames per second. The device has great stats for its live capture but many people have experienced problems when trying to record from DVR specifically.

7. HDML Cloner Box Pro

Price: $135

Compatibility: Compatible with game consoles, windows, mac.

Specs: 1080p video at 60fps max

Highlights: The HDML Cloner Box comes with its own remote and the option to record using VGA, AV, YPbPr, and HDMI.

With so many different inputs available on this card it’s possible to record from almost any type of gaming device. With the hardware encoder which is on board, you can save videos as MP4 files and then instantly transfer them over to a flash drive on the device. You can get all of your saved files available without even having access to a PC. The box works as a standalone and it doesn’t have to be plugged into a computer to work. Free editing and converter software are included but with a storage memory card placed in the device and you can record a huge amount of footage and then edit it on your PC later on. With the quick connect feature, it is easy to set up recording and then perform all the functions you need for recording, stopping, and pausing on the remote as you use it. This remains one of the only cards available where it works as a standalone and allows for the chance to save videos to a flash drive or storage device without having to have a computer plugged in. The free converter software and video editing that comes with this device add extra value as well. An optional two-year warranty can make sure that you are ready for anything concerning this card.

8. Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder

Price: $80

Compatibility: TV, VCR, DVD, Digital camcorder, Laptop, PC, Mac, Game console

Specs: 480p

Highlights: This works as a standalone recorder with up to 32 GB of onboard memory. There’s no need to plug it into a computer for it to work and with the help of the memory card, you can record a wide range of output videos in AVI.

This card is designed as a standalone option and it’s extremely small with a USB 2.0 interface. Overall the quality of this card is not quite as technically advanced as some of the others on our list but it can record a video that is perfectly appropriate for the web or sharing over platforms like YouTube. The device can be set up quite easily with the help of an RCA connection cable, USB power cable, or other options. Generally, you may need access to an RCA to HDMI adapter if you want to record video off of a more modern laptop or camera. Where this device takes over on its competitors is the idea of just how simple it is to use. It weighs less than a pound and has a ‘one-button operation’ to start and pause recording. As of the completely standalone option, it doesn’t require any type of connection to a computer to record video. If you are looking for one of the simplest capture cards on the market that outputs to AVI in web quality, this is it.

9. HDML Cloner Box Evolve

Price: $121

Compatibility: HDMI input standalone mass compatibility

Specs: 4k video input, 1080p 60fps output

Highlights: This is a standalone USB capture device that comes with its remote. It also features dual HDMI slots allowing for up to two sources of video during recording (so you can also record from a facecam).

The card itself features a stream and capture function so that you can stream gameplay to any type of USB storage device. By plugging in a hard drive you can just press one button to record gaming videos and then handle the process of live streaming, editing, and more. Through two HDMI inputs supported and a very powerful remote control, you record on any device with fantastic image quality and without even having to plug it into any type of computer. While many of these standalone style capture boxes only support the use of minimal storage, this is a device that is capable of getting hooked up to any type of USB external hard drive for a chance to capture nearly unlimited video on your Cloner Box. As a bonus, the MP4 video editing software that is included will make the process of trimming, copying, and converting easier than ever. This has incredible value to the overall product. As an additional bonus, this Cloner Box also features a quick heat dissipation capability which can help to prevent lagging and other common problems that occur with many types of capture boxes when they overheat. A free microphone slot in addition to the HDMI slots makes recording professional voiceovers for any gameplay videos as easy as possible!

10. Avermedia Avercapture HD

Price: $99

Compatibility: Any console, PC, Mac

Specs: This device is capable of capture in full 1080p/60fps as well as the style encoding for quick streaming and easy video capture.

Highlights: The timeshift feature available on this device makes it simple to record retroactively as well as offer ultralow streaming and recording over time. The device makes it easy to capture and stream and it comes with a competitive two-year warranty.

This card works as a USB capture card from most any type of device, it captures through a component input or HDMI input and it has some of the lowest latency for any type of team capture. With one slot for video input as well as an audio input slot, it’s possible to record quick gameplay and voiceovers at any time with very minimal setup. Streaming and recording in full 1080p are done quite easily on this device and it’s designed to use less processing power than some of the competitors to ensure minimal game lag. RECental is included as part of this device so that you can set up live streaming to many of the top platforms available online. The timeshift function comes with a one-hour buffer ensuring if a great gameplay moment happens, you can shift back and begin recording from that time. Commentary and sharing are made easy with the software that’s included with this device. It makes sharing and recording an easy process for any avid video recorder.

Let us know what capture card you use and if you’re happy with it!

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 04, 2022• Proven solutions

0

If you are like to share gameplay videos, it’s very important that you have a high-quality capture card. With the help of a capture card, you can easily get all of the in-game footage that you need to make amazing videos and grow a healthy YouTube channel . In this article we will break down the top 10 capture cards for gaming YouTubers in 2018:

• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro
• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S
• Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing
• Hauppage Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal 1080P HD-PVR
• Elgato Game Capture HD
• Imillet HDMI Video Capture with USB 3.0/2.0 Dongle
• HDML Cloner Box Pro
• Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder
• HDML Cloner Box Evolve
• AVerMedia AVerCapture HD

Click here for more tips on being a YouTube gamer .

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro

Price: $204

Compatibility: Windows, Switch, 360, Xbox One, PS4

Specs: Internal PCI 4k 30fps

Highlights: Made for streaming. Improved benchmark speeds.

This capture card works with an HDMI interface as well as the ability to be plugged into any type of PC game device. The process for setting it up and recording is extremely simple and the casing has been designed for improving the performance of the system and making it easier to integrate with many different devices. With an up to 16 MB per second capture bitrate, this is a pro tool.

2. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S

Price: $160

Compatibility: Xbox one, switch, ps4

Specs: This device does 1080p at 60 fps

Highlights: This is one of very few game capture devices that come with USB 3.0 compatibility for easy access to almost any type of gaming device.

The card itself is mind-blowingly easy to set up with its external USB. It’s made for live streaming to YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms. There’s very low latency available on this card and it is one of the highest quality tools for console players.

3. Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing

Price: $80

Compatibility: PC, Xbox, PS4

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This USB 3.0 capture card can be quite easily installed almost anywhere and captures up to 60 frames per second for live streams.

This card comes with a wide range of ports including DVI, Component, HDMI, VGA, and USB. It’s tough to find a capture card that has so many different ports available and this can ensure that it’s possible to capture on almost any type of gaming system or device. A helpful tutorial is also included with this capture card to ensure that you can get the best video format from every console.

4. Hauppauge Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal Card

Price: $135

Compatibility: TV, DVR, Satellite, Xbox, PC, PlayStation

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This card is an internal PCI card allowing it to remain as a consistent capture device inside a PC.

This card is perfect for recording live programs from a TV to your computer, offloading programs off of your DVR, as well as recording live game footage from PlayStation, Xbox, or your PC. Included alongside this card is the chance to use Stream EEZ for live streaming directly to platforms like Upstream, Twitch, and YouTube.

5. Elgato Game Capture HD

Price: $159

Compatibility: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, Mac

Specs: 1080p at 60fps

Highlights: The game capture HD offers a one-click sharing system to YouTube as well as flashback recording where you can turn back 10 or 15 minutes to record content that just happened.

Overall this is one of the easiest capture cards to set up because it comes with USB 3.0 and HDMI connections. For most modern gaming consoles, it offers the same type of features including the flashback recording solution to record retroactively. The device includes unlimited game capture at a fairly reasonable price and a creation suite so that you can do multitrack recording from your webcam. Editing footage from the card makes it very easy to quickly export clips for all of your content and publish them on social media. This game capture device is also known for its extremely compact design. It is only around the size of a mobile phone, meaning it can be quite easily carried in your pocket.

6. Imillet HDMI Capture Card with USB 3.0 Dongle

Price: $148

Compatibility: Plug and play with no drivers needed. PC, Mac, Linux, any iOS

Specs: 1080p 60 fps

Highlights: Doesn’t require any type of driver installation. This will work on any operating system or computer for quick recording.

The card itself is known for its USB 3.0 support as well as USB 2.0, and for not needing drivers. There is no more compatible card on the market right now. If you have had issues with other cards in the past or you regularly run Linux, you should consider this device to be prepared for all your recording needs. The device will detect the input and adjust output automatically to ensure a crystal-clear picture based on the type of device that you’re recording from. Imillet also offers a great warranty of six months free replacement as well as 12 months free repair on the card for anyone that is ordering it. The software that comes with the card is extremely simple but it does the job quite effectively, allowing for quick recording from multiple devices and simple detection for a video signal and output. Input formats can range from 480p to 1080p and frame rates can go as high as 60 frames per second. The device has great stats for its live capture but many people have experienced problems when trying to record from DVR specifically.

7. HDML Cloner Box Pro

Price: $135

Compatibility: Compatible with game consoles, windows, mac.

Specs: 1080p video at 60fps max

Highlights: The HDML Cloner Box comes with its own remote and the option to record using VGA, AV, YPbPr, and HDMI.

With so many different inputs available on this card it’s possible to record from almost any type of gaming device. With the hardware encoder which is on board, you can save videos as MP4 files and then instantly transfer them over to a flash drive on the device. You can get all of your saved files available without even having access to a PC. The box works as a standalone and it doesn’t have to be plugged into a computer to work. Free editing and converter software are included but with a storage memory card placed in the device and you can record a huge amount of footage and then edit it on your PC later on. With the quick connect feature, it is easy to set up recording and then perform all the functions you need for recording, stopping, and pausing on the remote as you use it. This remains one of the only cards available where it works as a standalone and allows for the chance to save videos to a flash drive or storage device without having to have a computer plugged in. The free converter software and video editing that comes with this device add extra value as well. An optional two-year warranty can make sure that you are ready for anything concerning this card.

8. Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder

Price: $80

Compatibility: TV, VCR, DVD, Digital camcorder, Laptop, PC, Mac, Game console

Specs: 480p

Highlights: This works as a standalone recorder with up to 32 GB of onboard memory. There’s no need to plug it into a computer for it to work and with the help of the memory card, you can record a wide range of output videos in AVI.

This card is designed as a standalone option and it’s extremely small with a USB 2.0 interface. Overall the quality of this card is not quite as technically advanced as some of the others on our list but it can record a video that is perfectly appropriate for the web or sharing over platforms like YouTube. The device can be set up quite easily with the help of an RCA connection cable, USB power cable, or other options. Generally, you may need access to an RCA to HDMI adapter if you want to record video off of a more modern laptop or camera. Where this device takes over on its competitors is the idea of just how simple it is to use. It weighs less than a pound and has a ‘one-button operation’ to start and pause recording. As of the completely standalone option, it doesn’t require any type of connection to a computer to record video. If you are looking for one of the simplest capture cards on the market that outputs to AVI in web quality, this is it.

9. HDML Cloner Box Evolve

Price: $121

Compatibility: HDMI input standalone mass compatibility

Specs: 4k video input, 1080p 60fps output

Highlights: This is a standalone USB capture device that comes with its remote. It also features dual HDMI slots allowing for up to two sources of video during recording (so you can also record from a facecam).

The card itself features a stream and capture function so that you can stream gameplay to any type of USB storage device. By plugging in a hard drive you can just press one button to record gaming videos and then handle the process of live streaming, editing, and more. Through two HDMI inputs supported and a very powerful remote control, you record on any device with fantastic image quality and without even having to plug it into any type of computer. While many of these standalone style capture boxes only support the use of minimal storage, this is a device that is capable of getting hooked up to any type of USB external hard drive for a chance to capture nearly unlimited video on your Cloner Box. As a bonus, the MP4 video editing software that is included will make the process of trimming, copying, and converting easier than ever. This has incredible value to the overall product. As an additional bonus, this Cloner Box also features a quick heat dissipation capability which can help to prevent lagging and other common problems that occur with many types of capture boxes when they overheat. A free microphone slot in addition to the HDMI slots makes recording professional voiceovers for any gameplay videos as easy as possible!

10. Avermedia Avercapture HD

Price: $99

Compatibility: Any console, PC, Mac

Specs: This device is capable of capture in full 1080p/60fps as well as the style encoding for quick streaming and easy video capture.

Highlights: The timeshift feature available on this device makes it simple to record retroactively as well as offer ultralow streaming and recording over time. The device makes it easy to capture and stream and it comes with a competitive two-year warranty.

This card works as a USB capture card from most any type of device, it captures through a component input or HDMI input and it has some of the lowest latency for any type of team capture. With one slot for video input as well as an audio input slot, it’s possible to record quick gameplay and voiceovers at any time with very minimal setup. Streaming and recording in full 1080p are done quite easily on this device and it’s designed to use less processing power than some of the competitors to ensure minimal game lag. RECental is included as part of this device so that you can set up live streaming to many of the top platforms available online. The timeshift function comes with a one-hour buffer ensuring if a great gameplay moment happens, you can shift back and begin recording from that time. Commentary and sharing are made easy with the software that’s included with this device. It makes sharing and recording an easy process for any avid video recorder.

Let us know what capture card you use and if you’re happy with it!

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 04, 2022• Proven solutions

0

If you are like to share gameplay videos, it’s very important that you have a high-quality capture card. With the help of a capture card, you can easily get all of the in-game footage that you need to make amazing videos and grow a healthy YouTube channel . In this article we will break down the top 10 capture cards for gaming YouTubers in 2018:

• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro
• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S
• Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing
• Hauppage Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal 1080P HD-PVR
• Elgato Game Capture HD
• Imillet HDMI Video Capture with USB 3.0/2.0 Dongle
• HDML Cloner Box Pro
• Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder
• HDML Cloner Box Evolve
• AVerMedia AVerCapture HD

Click here for more tips on being a YouTube gamer .

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro

Price: $204

Compatibility: Windows, Switch, 360, Xbox One, PS4

Specs: Internal PCI 4k 30fps

Highlights: Made for streaming. Improved benchmark speeds.

This capture card works with an HDMI interface as well as the ability to be plugged into any type of PC game device. The process for setting it up and recording is extremely simple and the casing has been designed for improving the performance of the system and making it easier to integrate with many different devices. With an up to 16 MB per second capture bitrate, this is a pro tool.

2. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S

Price: $160

Compatibility: Xbox one, switch, ps4

Specs: This device does 1080p at 60 fps

Highlights: This is one of very few game capture devices that come with USB 3.0 compatibility for easy access to almost any type of gaming device.

The card itself is mind-blowingly easy to set up with its external USB. It’s made for live streaming to YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms. There’s very low latency available on this card and it is one of the highest quality tools for console players.

3. Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing

Price: $80

Compatibility: PC, Xbox, PS4

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This USB 3.0 capture card can be quite easily installed almost anywhere and captures up to 60 frames per second for live streams.

This card comes with a wide range of ports including DVI, Component, HDMI, VGA, and USB. It’s tough to find a capture card that has so many different ports available and this can ensure that it’s possible to capture on almost any type of gaming system or device. A helpful tutorial is also included with this capture card to ensure that you can get the best video format from every console.

4. Hauppauge Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal Card

Price: $135

Compatibility: TV, DVR, Satellite, Xbox, PC, PlayStation

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This card is an internal PCI card allowing it to remain as a consistent capture device inside a PC.

This card is perfect for recording live programs from a TV to your computer, offloading programs off of your DVR, as well as recording live game footage from PlayStation, Xbox, or your PC. Included alongside this card is the chance to use Stream EEZ for live streaming directly to platforms like Upstream, Twitch, and YouTube.

5. Elgato Game Capture HD

Price: $159

Compatibility: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, Mac

Specs: 1080p at 60fps

Highlights: The game capture HD offers a one-click sharing system to YouTube as well as flashback recording where you can turn back 10 or 15 minutes to record content that just happened.

Overall this is one of the easiest capture cards to set up because it comes with USB 3.0 and HDMI connections. For most modern gaming consoles, it offers the same type of features including the flashback recording solution to record retroactively. The device includes unlimited game capture at a fairly reasonable price and a creation suite so that you can do multitrack recording from your webcam. Editing footage from the card makes it very easy to quickly export clips for all of your content and publish them on social media. This game capture device is also known for its extremely compact design. It is only around the size of a mobile phone, meaning it can be quite easily carried in your pocket.

6. Imillet HDMI Capture Card with USB 3.0 Dongle

Price: $148

Compatibility: Plug and play with no drivers needed. PC, Mac, Linux, any iOS

Specs: 1080p 60 fps

Highlights: Doesn’t require any type of driver installation. This will work on any operating system or computer for quick recording.

The card itself is known for its USB 3.0 support as well as USB 2.0, and for not needing drivers. There is no more compatible card on the market right now. If you have had issues with other cards in the past or you regularly run Linux, you should consider this device to be prepared for all your recording needs. The device will detect the input and adjust output automatically to ensure a crystal-clear picture based on the type of device that you’re recording from. Imillet also offers a great warranty of six months free replacement as well as 12 months free repair on the card for anyone that is ordering it. The software that comes with the card is extremely simple but it does the job quite effectively, allowing for quick recording from multiple devices and simple detection for a video signal and output. Input formats can range from 480p to 1080p and frame rates can go as high as 60 frames per second. The device has great stats for its live capture but many people have experienced problems when trying to record from DVR specifically.

7. HDML Cloner Box Pro

Price: $135

Compatibility: Compatible with game consoles, windows, mac.

Specs: 1080p video at 60fps max

Highlights: The HDML Cloner Box comes with its own remote and the option to record using VGA, AV, YPbPr, and HDMI.

With so many different inputs available on this card it’s possible to record from almost any type of gaming device. With the hardware encoder which is on board, you can save videos as MP4 files and then instantly transfer them over to a flash drive on the device. You can get all of your saved files available without even having access to a PC. The box works as a standalone and it doesn’t have to be plugged into a computer to work. Free editing and converter software are included but with a storage memory card placed in the device and you can record a huge amount of footage and then edit it on your PC later on. With the quick connect feature, it is easy to set up recording and then perform all the functions you need for recording, stopping, and pausing on the remote as you use it. This remains one of the only cards available where it works as a standalone and allows for the chance to save videos to a flash drive or storage device without having to have a computer plugged in. The free converter software and video editing that comes with this device add extra value as well. An optional two-year warranty can make sure that you are ready for anything concerning this card.

8. Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder

Price: $80

Compatibility: TV, VCR, DVD, Digital camcorder, Laptop, PC, Mac, Game console

Specs: 480p

Highlights: This works as a standalone recorder with up to 32 GB of onboard memory. There’s no need to plug it into a computer for it to work and with the help of the memory card, you can record a wide range of output videos in AVI.

This card is designed as a standalone option and it’s extremely small with a USB 2.0 interface. Overall the quality of this card is not quite as technically advanced as some of the others on our list but it can record a video that is perfectly appropriate for the web or sharing over platforms like YouTube. The device can be set up quite easily with the help of an RCA connection cable, USB power cable, or other options. Generally, you may need access to an RCA to HDMI adapter if you want to record video off of a more modern laptop or camera. Where this device takes over on its competitors is the idea of just how simple it is to use. It weighs less than a pound and has a ‘one-button operation’ to start and pause recording. As of the completely standalone option, it doesn’t require any type of connection to a computer to record video. If you are looking for one of the simplest capture cards on the market that outputs to AVI in web quality, this is it.

9. HDML Cloner Box Evolve

Price: $121

Compatibility: HDMI input standalone mass compatibility

Specs: 4k video input, 1080p 60fps output

Highlights: This is a standalone USB capture device that comes with its remote. It also features dual HDMI slots allowing for up to two sources of video during recording (so you can also record from a facecam).

The card itself features a stream and capture function so that you can stream gameplay to any type of USB storage device. By plugging in a hard drive you can just press one button to record gaming videos and then handle the process of live streaming, editing, and more. Through two HDMI inputs supported and a very powerful remote control, you record on any device with fantastic image quality and without even having to plug it into any type of computer. While many of these standalone style capture boxes only support the use of minimal storage, this is a device that is capable of getting hooked up to any type of USB external hard drive for a chance to capture nearly unlimited video on your Cloner Box. As a bonus, the MP4 video editing software that is included will make the process of trimming, copying, and converting easier than ever. This has incredible value to the overall product. As an additional bonus, this Cloner Box also features a quick heat dissipation capability which can help to prevent lagging and other common problems that occur with many types of capture boxes when they overheat. A free microphone slot in addition to the HDMI slots makes recording professional voiceovers for any gameplay videos as easy as possible!

10. Avermedia Avercapture HD

Price: $99

Compatibility: Any console, PC, Mac

Specs: This device is capable of capture in full 1080p/60fps as well as the style encoding for quick streaming and easy video capture.

Highlights: The timeshift feature available on this device makes it simple to record retroactively as well as offer ultralow streaming and recording over time. The device makes it easy to capture and stream and it comes with a competitive two-year warranty.

This card works as a USB capture card from most any type of device, it captures through a component input or HDMI input and it has some of the lowest latency for any type of team capture. With one slot for video input as well as an audio input slot, it’s possible to record quick gameplay and voiceovers at any time with very minimal setup. Streaming and recording in full 1080p are done quite easily on this device and it’s designed to use less processing power than some of the competitors to ensure minimal game lag. RECental is included as part of this device so that you can set up live streaming to many of the top platforms available online. The timeshift function comes with a one-hour buffer ensuring if a great gameplay moment happens, you can shift back and begin recording from that time. Commentary and sharing are made easy with the software that’s included with this device. It makes sharing and recording an easy process for any avid video recorder.

Let us know what capture card you use and if you’re happy with it!

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 04, 2022• Proven solutions

0

If you are like to share gameplay videos, it’s very important that you have a high-quality capture card. With the help of a capture card, you can easily get all of the in-game footage that you need to make amazing videos and grow a healthy YouTube channel . In this article we will break down the top 10 capture cards for gaming YouTubers in 2018:

• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro
• Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S
• Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing
• Hauppage Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal 1080P HD-PVR
• Elgato Game Capture HD
• Imillet HDMI Video Capture with USB 3.0/2.0 Dongle
• HDML Cloner Box Pro
• Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder
• HDML Cloner Box Evolve
• AVerMedia AVerCapture HD

Click here for more tips on being a YouTube gamer .

1. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 Pro

Price: $204

Compatibility: Windows, Switch, 360, Xbox One, PS4

Specs: Internal PCI 4k 30fps

Highlights: Made for streaming. Improved benchmark speeds.

This capture card works with an HDMI interface as well as the ability to be plugged into any type of PC game device. The process for setting it up and recording is extremely simple and the casing has been designed for improving the performance of the system and making it easier to integrate with many different devices. With an up to 16 MB per second capture bitrate, this is a pro tool.

2. Elgato Game Capture HD 60 S

Price: $160

Compatibility: Xbox one, switch, ps4

Specs: This device does 1080p at 60 fps

Highlights: This is one of very few game capture devices that come with USB 3.0 compatibility for easy access to almost any type of gaming device.

The card itself is mind-blowingly easy to set up with its external USB. It’s made for live streaming to YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms. There’s very low latency available on this card and it is one of the highest quality tools for console players.

3. Star Tech 4 Port PCI Firewire Adaptor Card with Digital Video Editing

Price: $80

Compatibility: PC, Xbox, PS4

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This USB 3.0 capture card can be quite easily installed almost anywhere and captures up to 60 frames per second for live streams.

This card comes with a wide range of ports including DVI, Component, HDMI, VGA, and USB. It’s tough to find a capture card that has so many different ports available and this can ensure that it’s possible to capture on almost any type of gaming system or device. A helpful tutorial is also included with this capture card to ensure that you can get the best video format from every console.

4. Hauppauge Colossus 2 PCI Express Internal Card

Price: $135

Compatibility: TV, DVR, Satellite, Xbox, PC, PlayStation

Specs: 1080p, 60 fps

Highlights: This card is an internal PCI card allowing it to remain as a consistent capture device inside a PC.

This card is perfect for recording live programs from a TV to your computer, offloading programs off of your DVR, as well as recording live game footage from PlayStation, Xbox, or your PC. Included alongside this card is the chance to use Stream EEZ for live streaming directly to platforms like Upstream, Twitch, and YouTube.

5. Elgato Game Capture HD

Price: $159

Compatibility: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, Mac

Specs: 1080p at 60fps

Highlights: The game capture HD offers a one-click sharing system to YouTube as well as flashback recording where you can turn back 10 or 15 minutes to record content that just happened.

Overall this is one of the easiest capture cards to set up because it comes with USB 3.0 and HDMI connections. For most modern gaming consoles, it offers the same type of features including the flashback recording solution to record retroactively. The device includes unlimited game capture at a fairly reasonable price and a creation suite so that you can do multitrack recording from your webcam. Editing footage from the card makes it very easy to quickly export clips for all of your content and publish them on social media. This game capture device is also known for its extremely compact design. It is only around the size of a mobile phone, meaning it can be quite easily carried in your pocket.

6. Imillet HDMI Capture Card with USB 3.0 Dongle

Price: $148

Compatibility: Plug and play with no drivers needed. PC, Mac, Linux, any iOS

Specs: 1080p 60 fps

Highlights: Doesn’t require any type of driver installation. This will work on any operating system or computer for quick recording.

The card itself is known for its USB 3.0 support as well as USB 2.0, and for not needing drivers. There is no more compatible card on the market right now. If you have had issues with other cards in the past or you regularly run Linux, you should consider this device to be prepared for all your recording needs. The device will detect the input and adjust output automatically to ensure a crystal-clear picture based on the type of device that you’re recording from. Imillet also offers a great warranty of six months free replacement as well as 12 months free repair on the card for anyone that is ordering it. The software that comes with the card is extremely simple but it does the job quite effectively, allowing for quick recording from multiple devices and simple detection for a video signal and output. Input formats can range from 480p to 1080p and frame rates can go as high as 60 frames per second. The device has great stats for its live capture but many people have experienced problems when trying to record from DVR specifically.

7. HDML Cloner Box Pro

Price: $135

Compatibility: Compatible with game consoles, windows, mac.

Specs: 1080p video at 60fps max

Highlights: The HDML Cloner Box comes with its own remote and the option to record using VGA, AV, YPbPr, and HDMI.

With so many different inputs available on this card it’s possible to record from almost any type of gaming device. With the hardware encoder which is on board, you can save videos as MP4 files and then instantly transfer them over to a flash drive on the device. You can get all of your saved files available without even having access to a PC. The box works as a standalone and it doesn’t have to be plugged into a computer to work. Free editing and converter software are included but with a storage memory card placed in the device and you can record a huge amount of footage and then edit it on your PC later on. With the quick connect feature, it is easy to set up recording and then perform all the functions you need for recording, stopping, and pausing on the remote as you use it. This remains one of the only cards available where it works as a standalone and allows for the chance to save videos to a flash drive or storage device without having to have a computer plugged in. The free converter software and video editing that comes with this device add extra value as well. An optional two-year warranty can make sure that you are ready for anything concerning this card.

8. Pyle PVRC43 Standalone Digital Video Recorder

Price: $80

Compatibility: TV, VCR, DVD, Digital camcorder, Laptop, PC, Mac, Game console

Specs: 480p

Highlights: This works as a standalone recorder with up to 32 GB of onboard memory. There’s no need to plug it into a computer for it to work and with the help of the memory card, you can record a wide range of output videos in AVI.

This card is designed as a standalone option and it’s extremely small with a USB 2.0 interface. Overall the quality of this card is not quite as technically advanced as some of the others on our list but it can record a video that is perfectly appropriate for the web or sharing over platforms like YouTube. The device can be set up quite easily with the help of an RCA connection cable, USB power cable, or other options. Generally, you may need access to an RCA to HDMI adapter if you want to record video off of a more modern laptop or camera. Where this device takes over on its competitors is the idea of just how simple it is to use. It weighs less than a pound and has a ‘one-button operation’ to start and pause recording. As of the completely standalone option, it doesn’t require any type of connection to a computer to record video. If you are looking for one of the simplest capture cards on the market that outputs to AVI in web quality, this is it.

9. HDML Cloner Box Evolve

Price: $121

Compatibility: HDMI input standalone mass compatibility

Specs: 4k video input, 1080p 60fps output

Highlights: This is a standalone USB capture device that comes with its remote. It also features dual HDMI slots allowing for up to two sources of video during recording (so you can also record from a facecam).

The card itself features a stream and capture function so that you can stream gameplay to any type of USB storage device. By plugging in a hard drive you can just press one button to record gaming videos and then handle the process of live streaming, editing, and more. Through two HDMI inputs supported and a very powerful remote control, you record on any device with fantastic image quality and without even having to plug it into any type of computer. While many of these standalone style capture boxes only support the use of minimal storage, this is a device that is capable of getting hooked up to any type of USB external hard drive for a chance to capture nearly unlimited video on your Cloner Box. As a bonus, the MP4 video editing software that is included will make the process of trimming, copying, and converting easier than ever. This has incredible value to the overall product. As an additional bonus, this Cloner Box also features a quick heat dissipation capability which can help to prevent lagging and other common problems that occur with many types of capture boxes when they overheat. A free microphone slot in addition to the HDMI slots makes recording professional voiceovers for any gameplay videos as easy as possible!

10. Avermedia Avercapture HD

Price: $99

Compatibility: Any console, PC, Mac

Specs: This device is capable of capture in full 1080p/60fps as well as the style encoding for quick streaming and easy video capture.

Highlights: The timeshift feature available on this device makes it simple to record retroactively as well as offer ultralow streaming and recording over time. The device makes it easy to capture and stream and it comes with a competitive two-year warranty.

This card works as a USB capture card from most any type of device, it captures through a component input or HDMI input and it has some of the lowest latency for any type of team capture. With one slot for video input as well as an audio input slot, it’s possible to record quick gameplay and voiceovers at any time with very minimal setup. Streaming and recording in full 1080p are done quite easily on this device and it’s designed to use less processing power than some of the competitors to ensure minimal game lag. RECental is included as part of this device so that you can set up live streaming to many of the top platforms available online. The timeshift function comes with a one-hour buffer ensuring if a great gameplay moment happens, you can shift back and begin recording from that time. Commentary and sharing are made easy with the software that’s included with this device. It makes sharing and recording an easy process for any avid video recorder.

Let us know what capture card you use and if you’re happy with it!

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Zeroing In on Your Ideal YouTube Subset

How to Find A Niche Market on YouTube

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

What is a Niche?

A niche is what makes your channel unique.

When you are finding a niche for your YouTube channel, you are looking for a subset of a genre, subject, or topic to make videos about.

A niche can be broad like a channel about traveling.

Or more focused such as a channel only about traveling for food.

Then it can be hyper-focused such as a channel only about traveling for street food.

When people talk about “niching down,” they mean getting more focused on an area of a broader topic.

Best YouTube Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the tool that you require at this moment if you are a YouTuber who wants to create engaging videos and earn some money, with endless features and effects, it would make your videos go viral as the engagement rate tends to increase with better quality. You can fine-tune and add music to your videos with Filmora and every single tab on Wondershare Filmora is equipped with great video editing tools such as video cutter, fine tuner, stabilize video, etc that you can make use of. Filmora is the best tool for YouTubers around the globe as it has helped a lot of new as well as professionals YouTubers in scaling their channels.

Why Do You Need a Niche on YouTube?

1. Discoverability

Having a niche differentiates your channel from all the other ones on YouTube. There is no denying the crowded space on the video platform. Every minute, 300 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube . If you were simply copying other YouTubers, it will be challenging to grow, as your content will be in the shadows of all the other ones.

2. Consistency

By having a consistent niche, your channel will be more coherent for those who discovered your awesome content and wants more related videos. If you don’t have a clear focus on your YouTube channel, it will be confusing for your potential fans.

For example, if you created a great video about painting, but your channel also contains videos with you playing video games, doing movie commentaries, and cooking recipes, then the viewer who discovered your painting video wouldn’t subscribe to you because she has no interest in the other topics your channel covers.

3. Credibility

In a specialized niche, you can own it and become an expert on the topic. Increasing your credibility will allow you to build trust much faster with your audience and therefore, grow at a much faster rate.

Finding Your Niche on YouTube

What Is Your Objective On YouTube?

Do you want to make money? Do you want to fuel a passion? Do you want to educate the masses?

Your intentions on YouTube can be a numbers game: you want to get views, subscribers, and make money.

Or perhaps your intentions on YouTube can be to make content for a specific audience so that you can build a community.

Moreover, you might be using YouTube as the platform to showcase your personal brand and develop a reputation that you can bring to the real world.

Once you have a clear objective for what you want to achieve on YouTube, then you can consider the tactical direction to take your channel in: finding a niche and creating content for it.

What is Your Passion?

Building a YouTube channel is a grind and if you are not passionate about the topics you are covering in your niche, you may not have the motivation needed to churn out videos day after day, week after week.

Answering what you are passionate about isn’t enough to form your niche around, but it is definitely a critical part. Start by finding your passion.

Think of the things that you can do for hours without getting bored. Think of the hobbies you have where you put in hours and hours to improve. Think about all the research you’ve done on a given topic for no other reason than satisfying your own curiosity. These can all help you understand what you are most passionate about.

Knowing your passion opens an avenue for you to travel down in discovering your niche. But the journey isn’t over yet… there are few more questions to ask:

What Are Your Expertises?

Over the course of your life, you have gained experiences and skills — and you might not even know it. Stop for a moment and take inventory of everything that you feel you know better than the average person.

While the term “expert” is subjective, consider this, what can you pick up and do without a guide or a manual, or what can you tell me without Googling or researching?

If you can sit at a piano and start playing beautiful music, you have expertise in it. If you can tell me off the top of your head what train and bus to take to get across town, you are an expert in your city. Your expertise is what you confidently know.

What Do People Know You For?

If you are having trouble finding your expertise, ask those who are close to you: What am I best known for?

If your friends tell you that you are known for being athletic, then that might be an area to explore. If your classmates tell you that you are always punctual, you might be an expert in time management.

Sometimes it takes someone else to tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Once you’ve recognized what you are an expert on, you can expand on it.

Ask yourself these questions about your expertise:

- Can I teach people what I know?

- Will I want to learn more about this topic?

- Does this knowledge solve problems or improve life?

Once answered, you are that much closer to identifying your niche. But there is still another major question:

What Are Your Audience’s Wants and Needs?

If you are passionate about and an expert on a topic, but the topic is not interesting or useful to anyone then you are going to have a tough time getting views on YouTube.

When it comes down to it, your content needs to do at least 1 of 3 things, but if you strive to have all 3, you’ll have the recipe for a successful video:

- Educate

- Entertain

- Inspire

Educate Your Audience

Your audience wants to learn how to solve a problem or answer a question. If your content can teach, it will be valuable because it has real-world applications. (example: How-tos, product reviews, etc.)

Entertain Your Audience

Your audience wants to be entertained. Remember, when a viewer is watching your content, they are choosing it over all the books, movies, and music in the world. You have their attention, so don’t be boring. (example: Daily vlogs, commentary, etc.)

Inspire Your Audience

Your audience might be looking for a community to support them as they attempt a new goal. YouTube is a great platform to encourage others to do their best and achieve more. (example: 30-day challenges, motivational talks, etc.)

Don’t pick a niche simply because of general interest in a topic. If your niche comes to you in a flash and you go: “That’s a good idea,” before you set up your YouTube channel and commit to this video project, sit down, do some research, write out a script, and actually film the initial video. Go through the process and know what you are getting into.

Once you have a niche, it’s all about coming up with ideas for your video. If you want to become an idea machine, read this blog: How to Come Up With Better YouTube Video Ideas

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

What is a Niche?

A niche is what makes your channel unique.

When you are finding a niche for your YouTube channel, you are looking for a subset of a genre, subject, or topic to make videos about.

A niche can be broad like a channel about traveling.

Or more focused such as a channel only about traveling for food.

Then it can be hyper-focused such as a channel only about traveling for street food.

When people talk about “niching down,” they mean getting more focused on an area of a broader topic.

Best YouTube Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the tool that you require at this moment if you are a YouTuber who wants to create engaging videos and earn some money, with endless features and effects, it would make your videos go viral as the engagement rate tends to increase with better quality. You can fine-tune and add music to your videos with Filmora and every single tab on Wondershare Filmora is equipped with great video editing tools such as video cutter, fine tuner, stabilize video, etc that you can make use of. Filmora is the best tool for YouTubers around the globe as it has helped a lot of new as well as professionals YouTubers in scaling their channels.

Why Do You Need a Niche on YouTube?

1. Discoverability

Having a niche differentiates your channel from all the other ones on YouTube. There is no denying the crowded space on the video platform. Every minute, 300 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube . If you were simply copying other YouTubers, it will be challenging to grow, as your content will be in the shadows of all the other ones.

2. Consistency

By having a consistent niche, your channel will be more coherent for those who discovered your awesome content and wants more related videos. If you don’t have a clear focus on your YouTube channel, it will be confusing for your potential fans.

For example, if you created a great video about painting, but your channel also contains videos with you playing video games, doing movie commentaries, and cooking recipes, then the viewer who discovered your painting video wouldn’t subscribe to you because she has no interest in the other topics your channel covers.

3. Credibility

In a specialized niche, you can own it and become an expert on the topic. Increasing your credibility will allow you to build trust much faster with your audience and therefore, grow at a much faster rate.

Finding Your Niche on YouTube

What Is Your Objective On YouTube?

Do you want to make money? Do you want to fuel a passion? Do you want to educate the masses?

Your intentions on YouTube can be a numbers game: you want to get views, subscribers, and make money.

Or perhaps your intentions on YouTube can be to make content for a specific audience so that you can build a community.

Moreover, you might be using YouTube as the platform to showcase your personal brand and develop a reputation that you can bring to the real world.

Once you have a clear objective for what you want to achieve on YouTube, then you can consider the tactical direction to take your channel in: finding a niche and creating content for it.

What is Your Passion?

Building a YouTube channel is a grind and if you are not passionate about the topics you are covering in your niche, you may not have the motivation needed to churn out videos day after day, week after week.

Answering what you are passionate about isn’t enough to form your niche around, but it is definitely a critical part. Start by finding your passion.

Think of the things that you can do for hours without getting bored. Think of the hobbies you have where you put in hours and hours to improve. Think about all the research you’ve done on a given topic for no other reason than satisfying your own curiosity. These can all help you understand what you are most passionate about.

Knowing your passion opens an avenue for you to travel down in discovering your niche. But the journey isn’t over yet… there are few more questions to ask:

What Are Your Expertises?

Over the course of your life, you have gained experiences and skills — and you might not even know it. Stop for a moment and take inventory of everything that you feel you know better than the average person.

While the term “expert” is subjective, consider this, what can you pick up and do without a guide or a manual, or what can you tell me without Googling or researching?

If you can sit at a piano and start playing beautiful music, you have expertise in it. If you can tell me off the top of your head what train and bus to take to get across town, you are an expert in your city. Your expertise is what you confidently know.

What Do People Know You For?

If you are having trouble finding your expertise, ask those who are close to you: What am I best known for?

If your friends tell you that you are known for being athletic, then that might be an area to explore. If your classmates tell you that you are always punctual, you might be an expert in time management.

Sometimes it takes someone else to tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Once you’ve recognized what you are an expert on, you can expand on it.

Ask yourself these questions about your expertise:

- Can I teach people what I know?

- Will I want to learn more about this topic?

- Does this knowledge solve problems or improve life?

Once answered, you are that much closer to identifying your niche. But there is still another major question:

What Are Your Audience’s Wants and Needs?

If you are passionate about and an expert on a topic, but the topic is not interesting or useful to anyone then you are going to have a tough time getting views on YouTube.

When it comes down to it, your content needs to do at least 1 of 3 things, but if you strive to have all 3, you’ll have the recipe for a successful video:

- Educate

- Entertain

- Inspire

Educate Your Audience

Your audience wants to learn how to solve a problem or answer a question. If your content can teach, it will be valuable because it has real-world applications. (example: How-tos, product reviews, etc.)

Entertain Your Audience

Your audience wants to be entertained. Remember, when a viewer is watching your content, they are choosing it over all the books, movies, and music in the world. You have their attention, so don’t be boring. (example: Daily vlogs, commentary, etc.)

Inspire Your Audience

Your audience might be looking for a community to support them as they attempt a new goal. YouTube is a great platform to encourage others to do their best and achieve more. (example: 30-day challenges, motivational talks, etc.)

Don’t pick a niche simply because of general interest in a topic. If your niche comes to you in a flash and you go: “That’s a good idea,” before you set up your YouTube channel and commit to this video project, sit down, do some research, write out a script, and actually film the initial video. Go through the process and know what you are getting into.

Once you have a niche, it’s all about coming up with ideas for your video. If you want to become an idea machine, read this blog: How to Come Up With Better YouTube Video Ideas

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

What is a Niche?

A niche is what makes your channel unique.

When you are finding a niche for your YouTube channel, you are looking for a subset of a genre, subject, or topic to make videos about.

A niche can be broad like a channel about traveling.

Or more focused such as a channel only about traveling for food.

Then it can be hyper-focused such as a channel only about traveling for street food.

When people talk about “niching down,” they mean getting more focused on an area of a broader topic.

Best YouTube Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the tool that you require at this moment if you are a YouTuber who wants to create engaging videos and earn some money, with endless features and effects, it would make your videos go viral as the engagement rate tends to increase with better quality. You can fine-tune and add music to your videos with Filmora and every single tab on Wondershare Filmora is equipped with great video editing tools such as video cutter, fine tuner, stabilize video, etc that you can make use of. Filmora is the best tool for YouTubers around the globe as it has helped a lot of new as well as professionals YouTubers in scaling their channels.

Why Do You Need a Niche on YouTube?

1. Discoverability

Having a niche differentiates your channel from all the other ones on YouTube. There is no denying the crowded space on the video platform. Every minute, 300 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube . If you were simply copying other YouTubers, it will be challenging to grow, as your content will be in the shadows of all the other ones.

2. Consistency

By having a consistent niche, your channel will be more coherent for those who discovered your awesome content and wants more related videos. If you don’t have a clear focus on your YouTube channel, it will be confusing for your potential fans.

For example, if you created a great video about painting, but your channel also contains videos with you playing video games, doing movie commentaries, and cooking recipes, then the viewer who discovered your painting video wouldn’t subscribe to you because she has no interest in the other topics your channel covers.

3. Credibility

In a specialized niche, you can own it and become an expert on the topic. Increasing your credibility will allow you to build trust much faster with your audience and therefore, grow at a much faster rate.

Finding Your Niche on YouTube

What Is Your Objective On YouTube?

Do you want to make money? Do you want to fuel a passion? Do you want to educate the masses?

Your intentions on YouTube can be a numbers game: you want to get views, subscribers, and make money.

Or perhaps your intentions on YouTube can be to make content for a specific audience so that you can build a community.

Moreover, you might be using YouTube as the platform to showcase your personal brand and develop a reputation that you can bring to the real world.

Once you have a clear objective for what you want to achieve on YouTube, then you can consider the tactical direction to take your channel in: finding a niche and creating content for it.

What is Your Passion?

Building a YouTube channel is a grind and if you are not passionate about the topics you are covering in your niche, you may not have the motivation needed to churn out videos day after day, week after week.

Answering what you are passionate about isn’t enough to form your niche around, but it is definitely a critical part. Start by finding your passion.

Think of the things that you can do for hours without getting bored. Think of the hobbies you have where you put in hours and hours to improve. Think about all the research you’ve done on a given topic for no other reason than satisfying your own curiosity. These can all help you understand what you are most passionate about.

Knowing your passion opens an avenue for you to travel down in discovering your niche. But the journey isn’t over yet… there are few more questions to ask:

What Are Your Expertises?

Over the course of your life, you have gained experiences and skills — and you might not even know it. Stop for a moment and take inventory of everything that you feel you know better than the average person.

While the term “expert” is subjective, consider this, what can you pick up and do without a guide or a manual, or what can you tell me without Googling or researching?

If you can sit at a piano and start playing beautiful music, you have expertise in it. If you can tell me off the top of your head what train and bus to take to get across town, you are an expert in your city. Your expertise is what you confidently know.

What Do People Know You For?

If you are having trouble finding your expertise, ask those who are close to you: What am I best known for?

If your friends tell you that you are known for being athletic, then that might be an area to explore. If your classmates tell you that you are always punctual, you might be an expert in time management.

Sometimes it takes someone else to tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Once you’ve recognized what you are an expert on, you can expand on it.

Ask yourself these questions about your expertise:

- Can I teach people what I know?

- Will I want to learn more about this topic?

- Does this knowledge solve problems or improve life?

Once answered, you are that much closer to identifying your niche. But there is still another major question:

What Are Your Audience’s Wants and Needs?

If you are passionate about and an expert on a topic, but the topic is not interesting or useful to anyone then you are going to have a tough time getting views on YouTube.

When it comes down to it, your content needs to do at least 1 of 3 things, but if you strive to have all 3, you’ll have the recipe for a successful video:

- Educate

- Entertain

- Inspire

Educate Your Audience

Your audience wants to learn how to solve a problem or answer a question. If your content can teach, it will be valuable because it has real-world applications. (example: How-tos, product reviews, etc.)

Entertain Your Audience

Your audience wants to be entertained. Remember, when a viewer is watching your content, they are choosing it over all the books, movies, and music in the world. You have their attention, so don’t be boring. (example: Daily vlogs, commentary, etc.)

Inspire Your Audience

Your audience might be looking for a community to support them as they attempt a new goal. YouTube is a great platform to encourage others to do their best and achieve more. (example: 30-day challenges, motivational talks, etc.)

Don’t pick a niche simply because of general interest in a topic. If your niche comes to you in a flash and you go: “That’s a good idea,” before you set up your YouTube channel and commit to this video project, sit down, do some research, write out a script, and actually film the initial video. Go through the process and know what you are getting into.

Once you have a niche, it’s all about coming up with ideas for your video. If you want to become an idea machine, read this blog: How to Come Up With Better YouTube Video Ideas

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

What is a Niche?

A niche is what makes your channel unique.

When you are finding a niche for your YouTube channel, you are looking for a subset of a genre, subject, or topic to make videos about.

A niche can be broad like a channel about traveling.

Or more focused such as a channel only about traveling for food.

Then it can be hyper-focused such as a channel only about traveling for street food.

When people talk about “niching down,” they mean getting more focused on an area of a broader topic.

Best YouTube Video Editor - Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is the tool that you require at this moment if you are a YouTuber who wants to create engaging videos and earn some money, with endless features and effects, it would make your videos go viral as the engagement rate tends to increase with better quality. You can fine-tune and add music to your videos with Filmora and every single tab on Wondershare Filmora is equipped with great video editing tools such as video cutter, fine tuner, stabilize video, etc that you can make use of. Filmora is the best tool for YouTubers around the globe as it has helped a lot of new as well as professionals YouTubers in scaling their channels.

Why Do You Need a Niche on YouTube?

1. Discoverability

Having a niche differentiates your channel from all the other ones on YouTube. There is no denying the crowded space on the video platform. Every minute, 300 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube . If you were simply copying other YouTubers, it will be challenging to grow, as your content will be in the shadows of all the other ones.

2. Consistency

By having a consistent niche, your channel will be more coherent for those who discovered your awesome content and wants more related videos. If you don’t have a clear focus on your YouTube channel, it will be confusing for your potential fans.

For example, if you created a great video about painting, but your channel also contains videos with you playing video games, doing movie commentaries, and cooking recipes, then the viewer who discovered your painting video wouldn’t subscribe to you because she has no interest in the other topics your channel covers.

3. Credibility

In a specialized niche, you can own it and become an expert on the topic. Increasing your credibility will allow you to build trust much faster with your audience and therefore, grow at a much faster rate.

Finding Your Niche on YouTube

What Is Your Objective On YouTube?

Do you want to make money? Do you want to fuel a passion? Do you want to educate the masses?

Your intentions on YouTube can be a numbers game: you want to get views, subscribers, and make money.

Or perhaps your intentions on YouTube can be to make content for a specific audience so that you can build a community.

Moreover, you might be using YouTube as the platform to showcase your personal brand and develop a reputation that you can bring to the real world.

Once you have a clear objective for what you want to achieve on YouTube, then you can consider the tactical direction to take your channel in: finding a niche and creating content for it.

What is Your Passion?

Building a YouTube channel is a grind and if you are not passionate about the topics you are covering in your niche, you may not have the motivation needed to churn out videos day after day, week after week.

Answering what you are passionate about isn’t enough to form your niche around, but it is definitely a critical part. Start by finding your passion.

Think of the things that you can do for hours without getting bored. Think of the hobbies you have where you put in hours and hours to improve. Think about all the research you’ve done on a given topic for no other reason than satisfying your own curiosity. These can all help you understand what you are most passionate about.

Knowing your passion opens an avenue for you to travel down in discovering your niche. But the journey isn’t over yet… there are few more questions to ask:

What Are Your Expertises?

Over the course of your life, you have gained experiences and skills — and you might not even know it. Stop for a moment and take inventory of everything that you feel you know better than the average person.

While the term “expert” is subjective, consider this, what can you pick up and do without a guide or a manual, or what can you tell me without Googling or researching?

If you can sit at a piano and start playing beautiful music, you have expertise in it. If you can tell me off the top of your head what train and bus to take to get across town, you are an expert in your city. Your expertise is what you confidently know.

What Do People Know You For?

If you are having trouble finding your expertise, ask those who are close to you: What am I best known for?

If your friends tell you that you are known for being athletic, then that might be an area to explore. If your classmates tell you that you are always punctual, you might be an expert in time management.

Sometimes it takes someone else to tell you what your strengths and weaknesses are.

Once you’ve recognized what you are an expert on, you can expand on it.

Ask yourself these questions about your expertise:

- Can I teach people what I know?

- Will I want to learn more about this topic?

- Does this knowledge solve problems or improve life?

Once answered, you are that much closer to identifying your niche. But there is still another major question:

What Are Your Audience’s Wants and Needs?

If you are passionate about and an expert on a topic, but the topic is not interesting or useful to anyone then you are going to have a tough time getting views on YouTube.

When it comes down to it, your content needs to do at least 1 of 3 things, but if you strive to have all 3, you’ll have the recipe for a successful video:

- Educate

- Entertain

- Inspire

Educate Your Audience

Your audience wants to learn how to solve a problem or answer a question. If your content can teach, it will be valuable because it has real-world applications. (example: How-tos, product reviews, etc.)

Entertain Your Audience

Your audience wants to be entertained. Remember, when a viewer is watching your content, they are choosing it over all the books, movies, and music in the world. You have their attention, so don’t be boring. (example: Daily vlogs, commentary, etc.)

Inspire Your Audience

Your audience might be looking for a community to support them as they attempt a new goal. YouTube is a great platform to encourage others to do their best and achieve more. (example: 30-day challenges, motivational talks, etc.)

Don’t pick a niche simply because of general interest in a topic. If your niche comes to you in a flash and you go: “That’s a good idea,” before you set up your YouTube channel and commit to this video project, sit down, do some research, write out a script, and actually film the initial video. Go through the process and know what you are getting into.

Once you have a niche, it’s all about coming up with ideas for your video. If you want to become an idea machine, read this blog: How to Come Up With Better YouTube Video Ideas

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Also read: