Starting with the 2.1.0 update, Elgato Game Capture HD for Windows will now be able to use Hardware Accelerated Decoding and Encoding. More specifically, that means that the software will be able to use your PC's graphics processor to help encode and decode video.
Supported Software Version
You will need version 2.1.0 of Elgato Game Capture HD software (or higher) to use this feature.
You can download that version from here:
https://www.elgato.com/en/game-capture-hd-support
This software will work with the original Elgato Game Capture HD hardware, and the newer Elgato Game Capture HD60 as well.
This features is current available only for the Windows version of the Elgato Game Capture HD software.
Supported Graphics Hardware
Elgato Game Capture HD software version 2.1.0 supports using graphics processors for Decoding video, or Stream Command Encoding.
Decoder
Hardware Accelerated Decoding supports AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA graphics processors.
Dedicated graphics processors are most efficient.
The built-in Software codec delivers optimum quality at the cost of higher processor load.
Stream Command Encoder
Hardware Accelerated Encoding for Stream Command only supports Intel graphics processors in version 2.1.0.
Dedicated graphics processors are most efficient, especially when using Stream Command.
The built-in Software codec delivers optimum quality at the cost of higher processor load.
Quality Slider
The slider that goes from Best Performance to Highest Quality only affects encoder settings.
You can lower this setting if you see any performance problems during live streaming.
Troubleshooting - Display Needs To Be Connected
In Windows 7 a display (or at least a Virtual Display) needs to be connected to the Intel graphics card to make it available for hardware acceleration.
To turn on a Virtual Display:
1) Right Click on the Desktop
2) Left Click on Screen Resolution
3) Click on the Detect button
4) Two more Displays should appear, each saying that "Another display not detected"
5) Click on these Displays until you find one that mentions "Available display output on Intel HD Graphics" (or whatever the name of your graphics system is).
6) In the Multiple displays pull down menu, select "Try to connect anyway on VGA"
7) Click on the Apply button
8) A new display will appear with a number. Select that display.
9) In the Multiple displays pull down menu, select "Extend desktop to this display"
10) Click on the Apply button
Troubleshooting - Use Latest Graphics Card Driver
It is recommended to install the latest graphics card drivers.
AMD
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download
Intel
http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/graphics
NVIDIA
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
Supported Software Version
You will need version 2.1.0 of Elgato Game Capture HD software (or higher) to use this feature.
You can download that version from here:
https://www.elgato.com/en/game-capture-hd-support
This software will work with the original Elgato Game Capture HD hardware, and the newer Elgato Game Capture HD60 as well.
This features is current available only for the Windows version of the Elgato Game Capture HD software.
Supported Graphics Hardware
Elgato Game Capture HD software version 2.1.0 supports using graphics processors for Decoding video, or Stream Command Encoding.
Decoder
Hardware Accelerated Decoding supports AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA graphics processors.
Dedicated graphics processors are most efficient.
The built-in Software codec delivers optimum quality at the cost of higher processor load.
Stream Command Encoder
Hardware Accelerated Encoding for Stream Command only supports Intel graphics processors in version 2.1.0.
Dedicated graphics processors are most efficient, especially when using Stream Command.
The built-in Software codec delivers optimum quality at the cost of higher processor load.
Quality Slider
The slider that goes from Best Performance to Highest Quality only affects encoder settings.
You can lower this setting if you see any performance problems during live streaming.
Troubleshooting - Display Needs To Be Connected
In Windows 7 a display (or at least a Virtual Display) needs to be connected to the Intel graphics card to make it available for hardware acceleration.
To turn on a Virtual Display:
1) Right Click on the Desktop
2) Left Click on Screen Resolution
3) Click on the Detect button
4) Two more Displays should appear, each saying that "Another display not detected"
5) Click on these Displays until you find one that mentions "Available display output on Intel HD Graphics" (or whatever the name of your graphics system is).
6) In the Multiple displays pull down menu, select "Try to connect anyway on VGA"
7) Click on the Apply button
8) A new display will appear with a number. Select that display.
9) In the Multiple displays pull down menu, select "Extend desktop to this display"
10) Click on the Apply button
Troubleshooting - Use Latest Graphics Card Driver
It is recommended to install the latest graphics card drivers.
AMD
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download
Intel
http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/graphics
NVIDIA
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us