AVerMedia X’tra GO GC515 Review

AVerMedia is a veteran in the gaming capture device market, known for producing high-quality products for decades. However, until now, they hadn’t specifically catered to the handheld gaming market. Enter the AVerMedia X’tra GO (GC515), a revolutionary dock and capture device designed to simplify recording and streaming from popular handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally. But how does it compare to other gaming docks and capture devices? Let’s dive in.

Name: X’tra GO (GC515)
Manufacturer: AVerMedia X’tra
Price: $199.99

As someone who regularly games on the Steam Deck the Asus ROG Ally, and occasionally the Nintendo Switch, I’ve tried various setups to capture and stream gameplay. My previous solution involved using the JSAUX docking station alongside a more complex setup connected to my PC’s internal capture card. While it worked, it wasn’t the most reliable solution. Thankfully, the X’tra GO has made the entire process much simpler, streamlining both gaming and content creation.

Design and Features

The AVerMedia X’tra GO is a compact device that functions as both a dock and a capture device. On the front, there’s an LED indicator and a large, branded button that starts recording or streaming when connected to a PC. The dock at the top securely holds handheld gaming devices, tablets, or smartphones. On the back, you’ll find an HDMI 2.1 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, three USB-C ports, and a mode switch to toggle between capture and reader modes. A 3.5mm headphone jack and MicroSD card slot round out the features.

The device can support up to a 65W power supply, which isn’t supplied with the device. Using a higher-wattage power supply won’t net you any benefits. such as faster changing, which is a bummer.

To configure the device or stream from it, you will need to connect it to a PC and use the AVerMedia Streaming Center. When configuring the device you have the option of changing the quality of the encodes from normal, good, or optimal, from H264 and H265, and how the giant button functions.

Unfortunately, the software’s instability is a major drawback. Constant crashes make it frustratingly unreliable, and considering that configuration relies on this software, it hampers the overall experience. I could be in the middle of changing a setting and it crashes. I tried to upgrade the firmware, and it crashed. It’s highly frustrating given that you depend on that to make any changes to the device and the software just crashes like crazy. AverMedia needs to address as soon as humanly possible.

PC Requirements

While you don’t completely need a PC to use the X’tra GO, you can still use it with a PC if you choose to, or if you want to stream from it. As such, you’ll need to make sure that you can use the device and the software. Here are the requirements to do so.

• Operating System – Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit
• Desktop – Intel Core i5-6XXX / AMD Ryzen 3 XXX or above
  NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 5700 or above
• Laptop – Intel Core i7-7700HQ + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti or above
• 8 GB RAM or more recommended

macOS 13 / 14 or later

• Apple M1 or 3.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
• Apple M1 or Radeon Pro 555 with 2 GB of VRAM
• 16 GB of 2400 MHz DDR4 memory / 14 or later

Connecting Everything Up

Setting up the X’tra GO is incredibly straightforward. Simply dock your Steam Deck or smartphone, connect the included USB-C cable, and link it to your TV or monitor via HDMI. Pair your preferred controller via Bluetooth or USB, and you’re ready to game. You can even use the handheld device as a controller, though be careful not to yank out the USB-C cable during gameplay.

If you prefer to connect the X’tra GO to your desktop or laptop, just use the secondary USB-C port. You can then record using software like OBS, or switch to card reader mode to transfer your recordings directly to your PC without removing the MicroSD card. Everything is designed to be as user-friendly and straightforward as possible—no complicated setup is required.

Seamless Recording and Streaming

One of the standout features of the X’tra GO is that it allows you to record or stream without needing a PC or laptop. Insert a MicroSD card, toggle the switch to capture mode, and press the front button, and the LED which is normally blue, that one in action will change to a pulsating red light, indicating that it’s recording or streaming. When you’re done you just tap the button again and it stops, and the LED will change back to blue.

This feature has been a game-changer for me. I can record Steam Deck gameplay directly to the device without needing to drag my laptop around. It’s a level of convenience similar to the Live Gamer Portable 2 PLUS – GC513.

Capture Performance

The X’tra GO supports a variety of resolutions, 480p up to 4K, with the ability to record at 1080p 120FPS or 4K 30FPS, and 4K passthrough. While the 4K recording capability may seem unnecessary—no handheld gaming device currently supports 4K gaming—it’s there for those who may want to connect a PC or laptop to the dock. However, don’t expect this device to bypass HDCP protections on tablets and smartphones; I tested it, and it won’t work for that purpose.

As I used AVerMedia X’tra GO during the review period in my living room, I recorded to a MicroSD and I’ve had no issues with doing so. Similarly, when I did connect it up to my laptop, there were no issues on that front either.

Compatibility Concerns

I suppose my biggest gripe, outside of the blasted Streaming Center constantly crashing, is that the AVerMedia X’tra GO’s dock doesn’t fit all handheld gaming devices, which is a given. AVerMedia boosts that the X’tra GO Supports the Steam Deck, MSI Claw, Nintendo Switch, and Smartphones, iPads, and the Asus ROG Ally… but not the Asus ROG Ally? What gives? Asus released the ROG Ally X not that long ago, but the world has known about the gaming device for months. So it’s a shame that the ROG Ally X doesn’t fit in the X’tra GO dock due to it being a bit thicker than the original ROG Ally.

This is concerning, given that Asus has made a compelling argument for people to upgrade to the ROG Ally X, with its updated joysticks, and longer battery life, among other things. This means that the AVerMedia X’tra GO is nice and all, but my ROG Ally X can’t join the party and that is frustrating.

Imagine that you owned an Asus ROG Ally and picked up the AVerMedia X’tra GO, and then sold it to get the upgraded Asus ROG Ally X… only to find out that it doesn’t with the dock and you’re now out of $200. I’d be a bit frustrated about that. I’d love it if AVerMedia realized this and put out an updated model that works with my favorite handheld gaming device. That or some sort of trade-in.

Despite that, I feel that the AVerMedia X’tra GO is a solid choice for handheld gaming enthusiasts and content creators. While the $199.99 price tag may seem steep, it’s a cost-effective solution when compared to buying a separate dock, USB hub, and capture card. The X’tra GO simplifies recording and streaming for handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, smartphones, and tablets, making it a useful device for anyone looking to capture high-quality gameplay footage from their handheld gaming devices —Except for Asus ROG Ally X owners.

The AVerMedia X’tra GO is available now on Amazon for $199.99.

Review Disclosure Statement: The AVerMedia X’tra GO was purchased for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy.

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