For a while now NZXT has been growing its brand to incorporate more than justPC builds and PC cases. From motherboards to microphones, NZXT has expanded its reach to cover a variety of PC and gaming related needs for a variety of users. With the Capsule microphone, NZXT took its first steps toward the streaming and content creation market, and now its latest product pushes the brand further into that realm.
NZXT Signalis the company’s new capture card brand that comes in two different models. There is a 4K30 capture card that will meet the needs of most high-end content creators, and an HD60 model for the entry-level user. Both are exceptionally well-made, minimalist devices that don’t leave a large footprint and work exactly as advertised.
The design of the NZXT Signal is simple, not unlike most of the devices and components that the company has created over the years. Brandishing a look similar to anApple TV, NZXT has created Signal to fit right in with any gaming setup.
With so many capture card options on the market today, most manufacturers have honed in on a standardized approach to connectivity and NZXT Signal checks all the requisite boxes. Using a USB 3.2 connection, the NZXT Signal pulls the audio and video information via HDMI 2.0 for a lag-free, zero-latency experience. Using NZXT’s proprietaryCAM Software, users can validate the settings that the Signal is capturing in like its frame rate, resolution, and color range.
As mentioned, the NZXT Signal brand has two separate models:
NZXT Signal 4K30 Review
The NZXT Signal 4K30 is easily the more attractive of the two for what it can offer gamers on current-gen platforms and PC. With support for HDR and 4K60/1440p 144Hz/1080p 240Hz pass-through, the NZXT Signal 4K60 is ideal for thePS5 or Xbox Series gamer.Like its contemporaries, there is no support for HDMI 2.1 or VRR, but that is more of a niche consideration right now. Most current-gen games can only truly reach 4K60 and even that is with some internal boosting.
In terms of its capture capabilities, the NZXT Signal 4K30 is competitively priced at $179.99 but it misses out on that hitting that 4K60 benchmark. It will come down to personal preference how important 60 FPS streaming/capture is, but that pushes into a higher price tier on competitor models.
Ultimately, the 4K30 model is for those who want to upgrade their capture card solution but aren’t ready to take the plunge on a $300+ purchase. There were no issues with lag or latency while using the card and it delivers crisp 4K picture to the capture software and the gaming monitor/TV.
NZXT HD60 Review
The NZXT Signal HD60 is the company’s entry-level model and will meet the needs of any user trying to get into content creation. Design-wise it’s practically identical to the 4K30 except passthrough is capped at 60Hz regardless of resolution.
What makes the HD60 an enticing option is its $139.99 price point, which puts it lower than some of its more popular competitors. Not everyone has concerns about 4K or higher frame rates, so being able to hit the 1080p 60Hz benchmark for a stream is a major win for the device.
When it comes to design and feature-set, the NZXT Signal line delivers almost everything that content creators would expect in today’s market. The lack of 4K60 capture is a blind spot for the higher-end model, but that would have pushed its price at least another $150. But the passthrough and HDR support all exactly what a device like this should offer. Of course, what’s on paper and what it actually delivers are not always one and the same. Luckily, the Signal 4K30 is a no-fuss capture card that is as plug-and-play as it gets.
On the other side of the coin is the Signal HD60, which is cheaper than many of its competitors and hits all the notes of an entry level capture card. For those who are just looking to dabble in streaming or content creation, this is an easy recommendation.
TheNZXT Signal4K30 retails for $179.99 and the Signal HD60 retails for $139.99. Both are available now via NZXT.
