In general, Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 can work with a game console with the following characteristics:
1) Must have either HDMI output, or Component/D-Terminal output
2) If HDMI is used, the signal must be unencrypted (no HDCP protection)
3) Must output standard TV resolutions, like 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p
4) When using Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software and above, you can also use Composite input, for 240i or 480i video.
What follows are a brief discussion of game consoles that we've tested with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software is needed to play the full assortment of consoles, especially those older ones that output in 240i.
Atari Jaguar
Microsoft Xbox
Microsoft Xbox 360
Microsoft Xbox One
Microsoft Xbox Series X/S
Nintendo Wii U
Nintendo Wii
Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo 64 (N64)
Super Nintendo (SNES)
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Sega Dreamcast
Sega Saturn
Sega Genesis (Mega Drive)
Sega Master System
Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5)
Sony PlayStation 4 (PS4)
Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)
Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2)
Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1, PSone)
Select Correct Input Setting
For all of the game consoles you use with Elgato Game Capture HD, make sure you always select the right Input from the Capture Settings section of the software.
The 4 current choices are:
Composite
S-Video (with Analog Video Adapter, no longer available)
Component
HDMI
TV Passthrough using Retro Game Consoles
Elgato Game Capture HD can accept video from a number of retro game consoles, display it on your computer, and capture it.
Retro game consoles often produce a non-standard video signal which modern TVs may not be able to display. The Elgato Game Capture HD can convert this non-standard signal into a signal which it can record, but your TV may be unable to display that signal.
The following article shows several ways to work around this issue.
Troubleshooting: Retro consoles don't send HDMI passthrough to TV via Elgato Game Capture HD
Atari Jaguar
The Atari Jaguar works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Jaguar.
You can use the following outputs of the Jaguar:
• Composite - up to 480i
• S-Video - up to 480i
The Jaguar did not ship with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. They have to be bought separately.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Microsoft Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the Xbox 360:
• HDMI - up to 1080p
• Component - up to 1080p
• Composite - up to 480i
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with one HDMI cable, that can be used for HDMI output.
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a Component adapter. You will have to provide your own Xbox 360 component cable, made by Microsoft or another vendor.
The Xbox 360 shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Xbox 360.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Microsoft Xbox
The original Xbox works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Xbox.
You can use the following outputs of the Xbox:
• Composite - up to 480i
• Component - up to 480p (not tested by Elgato, see below)
The Xbox shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
There is a Component output cable that was offered by Microsoft, and other vendors.
We have not tested any such Component cable with Elgato Game Capture HD, but it is very likely that it will work.
Microsoft Xbox One
The Xbox One works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the Xbox One:
• HDMI - up to 1080p
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with one HDMI cable, that can be used for HDMI output.
Nintendo Wii U
The Wii U works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the Wii U:
• HDMI - up to 1080p
• Component - up to 1080p (not tested by Elgato, see below)
The HDMI output of the Wii U seems to be unencrypted for games, but partially encrypted when using services like Netflix. Netflix and other services are very likely to be blocked, with nothing but a black screen appearing, forcing you to hit the Home button on the Wii U to go back to the normal interface.
We do know that the Wii U can use a Component adapter from Nintendo, but we haven't tested that yet.
Nintendo Wii
The Wii works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the Wii:
• Component - up to 480p
• Composite - up to 480i
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a Component adapter.
The Wii shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Wii.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You will have to provide your own Wii component cable, made by Nintendo or another vendor.
You must manually switch the Wii to 480p output - it will not happen automatically when the Component cable is attached.
Nintendo GameCube
The GameCube works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the GameCube.
You can use the following outputs of the GameCube:
• Composite - up to 480i
• Component - up to 480p (not tested by Elgato, see below)
The GameCube shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
There is a rare Component output cable that was offered by Nintendo, but it is no longer made. In the secondary market, this Component cable retails for more than $100, on average. We have not yet tested the Component output of a GameCube with Elgato Game Capture HD, but users have tested it and found that it works as expected.
Nintendo 64 (N64)
The Nintendo 64 (N64) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Nintendo 64 (N64).
You can use the following outputs of the Nintendo 64 (N64):
• Composite - up to 480i
The Nintendo 64 (N64) shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Super Nintendo (SNES)
The Super Nintendo (SNES) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Super Nintendo (SNES).
You can use the following outputs of the Super Nintendo (SNES):
• Composite - up to 240i
The Super Nintendo (SNES) shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
You can use the following outputs of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES):
• Composite - up to 240i
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) shipped with Composite output port, which works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Sega Dreamcast
The Dreamcast works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Dreamcast.
You can use the following outputs of the Dreamcast:
• Composite - up to 480i
The Dreamcast shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
The Dreamcast did not have a Component cable option, but there may be 3rd party VGA adapters that offer Component.
We have not tested any such Component adapters with Elgato Game Capture HD, and cannot guarantee that they will produce a signal that Elgato Game Capture HD can use.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Sega Saturn.
You can use the following outputs of the Sega Saturn:
• Composite - up to 480i
The Sega Saturn shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Sega Genesis.
You can use the following outputs of the Sega Genesis:
• Composite - up to 240i
The Sega Genesis may not have shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. You may need to purchase them separately.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Sega Master System
The Sega Master System works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Sega Master System.
You can use the following outputs of the Sega Master System:
• Composite - up to 240i
The Sega Master System may not have shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. You may need to purchase them separately.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the PlayStation 4:
• HDMI - up to 1080p
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with one HDMI cable, that can be used for HDMI output.
Before you set things up, make sure to connect your PlayStation 4 directly to your TV set or display via HDMI, without using Elgato Game Capture HD.
Then, visit the Settings > System section of the PlayStation 4 interface, and turn off Enable HDCP.
After that, you can use your PlayStation 4 with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the PlayStation 3:
• D-Terminal - up to 1080p
• Component - up to 1080p
• Composite - up to 480i
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a custom PlayStation cable, that uses the D-Terminal standard. That connects directly to the PlayStation 3, and uses one cable to connect to Elgato Game Capture HD.
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a Component adapter. You will have to provide your own PlayStation 3 component cable, made by Sony or another vendor.
The PlayStation 3 shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Playstation 3
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2)
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You can use the following outputs of the PlayStation 2:
• D-Terminal - up to 480p
• Component - up to 480p
• Composite - up to 480i
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a custom PlayStation cable, that uses the D-Terminal standard. That connects directly to the PlayStation 2, and uses one cable to connect to Elgato Game Capture HD.
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a Component adapter. You will have to provide your own PlayStation 2 component cable, made by Sony or another vendor.
The PlayStation 2 shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD. You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2 software (or above), to use Composite input with the PlayStation 2.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1, PSone)
The Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1, PSone) works with Elgato Game Capture HD.
You must install Elgato Game Capture HD 1.2.1 software (or above), to use Composite input with the Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1, PSone).
You can use the following outputs of the Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1, PSone):
• Composite - up to 240i
The Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1, PSone) shipped with Composite output cables, which work with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Attach the Yellow Composite cable to the Red video input of the Component adapter that comes with Elgato Game Capture HD.
Unsupported or Untested Consoles
We are still testing a wide variety of game consoles, and will update this article as we find out more about what hardware can work with Elgato Game Capture HD.