Update: Thanks to one of our readers (Thanks, Daniel!), we’ve received more information on the AVerMedia Live Gamer BOLT! (GC555). First and foremost, the device is now available for sale and is priced at $449 on AVerMedia’s website.
As we mentioned last year and recently, this is a Thunderbolt device, hence the name. It does not support USB of any sort. No USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 support at all. To use this you’ll need a Thunderbolt port on your machine, and if you don’t then you’ll need to install one. Adding to that, PCIe Thunderbolt cards are quite expensive, ranging from $50 and up.
Full technical specs:
- Interface: Thunderbolt 3*
- Input & Output (Pass-Through): HDMI 2.0
- Max. Pass-Through Resolution :
- 2160p60 HDR /1440p144/ 1080p240
- Max. Recording Resolution:
- 2160p60 HDR* /1440p144/ 1080p240
- Supported Resolution:
- 2160p, 1440p, 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 480p
- Record Format: MPEG 4**
Sadly, there’s no onboard encoder support, so your CPU/GPU will be handling that load.
Dimensions (W x D x H):
- 120 x 120 x 29.3 mm (4.72 x 4.72 x 1.15 in)
- Weight :348 g (12.27 oz)
So, the question now is, is this for you? Just from looking at the specs on paper, this sits between AVerMedia’s Live Gamer 4K (GC573) and the Live Gamer Ultra (GC553). Seeing how this only supports Thunderbolt may put off potential buyers. However, looking deeper this is an external device so it allows you to take it with you, just as the GC553 can. The only deciding factor is if you need 4K60 HDR and 1440p 144 FPS in a portable factor. It definitely seems like buyers will need to weigh in the pros and cons here.
Now we wait for the YouTubers to create the videos. I’m waiting for one video in particular from EposVox, who has been spot on for capture device reviews and one of my favorite YouTubers.
Original story below
Last year, AVerMedia teased a new external capture device called the Live Gamer BOLT!. And just as fast as it was shown off, it disappeared. Now it AVerMedia is back at it, teasing the same device in a tweet posted on their Twitter account today.
Are you ready? https://t.co/M7LRaXoWdw pic.twitter.com/vcUd72u3Mt
— AVerMedia (@AVerMedia) April 7, 2020
If you pause the video at 9 seconds, you can see the front of the device, which matches up with what was shown during Computex 2019.
Introducing the Live Gamer BOLT! ⚡️
The World’s First External 4K HDR and 240 FPS Capture Card. #Computex2019 pic.twitter.com/amDV9Cmgqy
— AVerMedia (@AVerMedia) May 29, 2019
According to AVerMedia, the Live Gamer BOLT! is capable of capturing 4K60 HDR FPS and 240 FPS 1080p footage. We speculated this device would have launched last year, but for reasons unknown to us it didn’t.
Now that Elgato has released their 4K60 S+, a device that similar (spec-wise) to the Live Gamer BOLT!, I was wondering when AVerMedia would respond. Changes are this device is already in the hand of several influencers and Youtubers and if AVerMedia is teasing this, then some sort of announcement can’t be that far along.
And while I don’t know much about the device, I’m hoping that this will include HEVC onboard encoding or even the ability to record without a PC.
I suppose we’ll have to wait until AVerMedia is finally ready to talk about the device. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait much longer.
