Using Your StarTech.com Capture Device with OBS (Basic Setup)
OBS Studio is a popular, free application used for recording and live streaming. Most of our capture devices work with OBS as standard “Video Capture Devices,” which makes setup straightforward.
This guide walks you through the basic steps to:
- Connect your capture device
- Add it as a source in OBS
- Select the correct video and audio inputs
- Confirm that everything is working
Note: Screens and wording may vary slightly depending on your OBS version and operating system, but the overall process is the same.
Before You Start
Make sure you have:
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OBS Studio installed
- You can download it from the official OBS website for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
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A StarTech.com capture device
- For example: USB3HDCAP, UVCHDCAP, SVID2USB232, or similar.
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All cables connected
- The capture device is connected to your computer (USB 3.0 port required for the xxHDCAP series).
- Video source (camera, console, set-top box, etc.) connected to the capture device (HDMI, VGA, component, composite, etc. depending on your model).
Once your hardware is connected and powered on, you’re ready to configure OBS.
Step 1 – Add Your Device as a Video Source
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Open OBS Studio.
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In the bottom-left of the window, next to the Scene box, you should see a Sources box.
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Click the “+” button under Sources.
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Select “Video Capture Device” from the list.
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In the Create/Select Source window:
- Choose “Create new”.
- Give it a recognizable name, such as your device model (for example, “USB3HDCAP”).
- Click OK.
This will open the properties window for the new source.
Step 2 – Select the Capture Device in OBS
In the Properties window for your new Video Capture Device:
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Open the “Device” drop-down menu.
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Select your specific capture device from the list.
- It may appear by model name (e.g., “USB3HDCAP”, “UVCHDCAP”), or chipset name (e.g., “EM28281”, “CY3014”).
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After selecting the device, OBS should show a live video preview from your source in the little preview window.
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If you’re using our USB3HDCAP, scroll down to the Audio section, enable “Use custom audio device”, and then select the USB3HDCAP (or similarly named) audio device from the drop-down list so OBS can capture sound from the card.
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Click OK to add the device to your scene.
If you don’t see a preview yet, make sure your video source device is currently powered ON, connected to our capture device and actively playing (or showing) something.
Input Source selection
→ If your capture device supports multiple video inputs (for example, HDMI vs. component/composite):
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Right-click your capture source in the Sources list.
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Select “Properties”.
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Then click on “Configure Video”.
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Use the device’s configuration menu to select the correct input type (HDMI, component, composite, etc.) that matches your physical connection.
Quick Tips
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Use USB 3.0 where required (e.g., USB3HDCAP)
Many HD capture devices need a USB 3.0 port for full performance. Using USB 2.0 can cause limitations or no video, even if the device appears in OBS. -
Select the correct input on multi-input devices
If your capture device has multiple input types, make sure the input selected in its configuration matches the physical connection you’re using. -
Check source order in OBS
If you added multiple sources (images, browser windows, other cameras), ensure your capture device source is not hidden behind another source. In the Sources list, you can drag it above or below others.
With these steps, your StarTech.com capture device should be ready to use in OBS for recording or streaming. Once the device is added and working, you can continue customizing scenes, overlays, and other advanced OBS features to match your workflow.
→ For any additional information about OBS features, settings, or advanced usage, we recommend visiting the official OBS website, checking their community guides, or exploring other trusted resources to help you get the most out of this powerful tool.