Elgato

Last updated
Elgato
Elgato logo.svg
Product type Consumer electronics, Peripherals, Software
Owner Corsair Gaming, Inc.
Introduced2010;14 years ago (2010)
Markets Live streaming, Podcasting
Previous owners Elgato Systems
Website www.elgato.com/en

Elgato is a brand of consumer technology products. The brand was manufactured and designed by Elgato Systems, founded in 2010 by Markus Fest and was headquartered in Munich, Germany, until 2018 when the brand was sold to Corsair. [1]

Contents

History

The brand, Elgato, was formerly a brand of Elgato Systems. The Elgato brand was used to refer to the company gaming and thunderbolt devices and was commonly called Elgato Gaming.

On June 28, 2018, Corsair acquired the Elgato brand from Elgato Systems, while Elgato Systems kept their smart home division and renamed the company to Eve Systems. [2]

Products

A rear view of the Elgato Thunderbolt dock showing the available ports Elgato Dock Back.jpg
A rear view of the Elgato Thunderbolt dock showing the available ports
The Elgato Thunderbolt Drive+ Thunderbolt Drive+ sideview 01.jpg
The Elgato Thunderbolt Drive+

Thunderbolt dock

Elgato introduced a Thunderbolt docking station in June 2014. A computer is plugged into the dock using a Thunderbolt port in order to gain access to the dock's three USB ports, audio jacks, HDMI and Ethernet. It is typically used to plug a Macbook into an office setting (printer, monitor, keyboard) or to provide additional ports not available in the MacBook Air. [3] [4] [5] A review in The Register said it was compact and useful, but Windows users should consider a USB 3.0 dock. [4] The Register and CNET disagreed on whether it was competitively priced. [3] [4] Reviews in TechRadar and Macworld gave it 4 out of 5 stars. [6] [7]

Thunderbolt SSD

Elgato introduced two external solid-state drives in September 2012 called Thunderbolt Drive. [8] Benchmark tests by MacWorld and Tom's Hardware said that the hard drive was slower than other products they tested, despite being connected through a faster Thunderbolt port, rather than Firewire. [9] [10] The following year, in 2013, Elgato replaced them with similar drives identified as "Thunderbolt Drive +", which added USB 3.0 support and was claimed to be faster than the previous iteration. [11] A CNET review of a Thunderbolt Drive+ drive gave it a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. It said the drive was "blazing fast" and "the most portable drive to date" but was also expensive. [12] An article in The Register explained that the original drives introduced in 2012 didn't perform well in benchmark tests, but the newer "plus" version had impressive speed results during testing. [13]

Game Capture

Game Capture HD, which connects to gaming consoles to record gameplay, was introduced in 2012. It was created in response to gamers that were hacking EyeTV products for gameplay recording. [14] The device connects between a gaming console and the TV and is powered by a USB connection. It captures video as the console sends it to the television, compresses and stores it. [15] A review in iPhone Life gave it 4 out of 5 stars and noted that it could also be used to record iPad games with the right setup. [16]

In October 2014 Elgato released a new version called HD 60. It recorded in 60 frames per second and 1080p high definition video (compared to the previous Game Capture HD's 1080p30 or 720p60), whereas typical low-end video game recording devices capture in 720p and 30 frames per second. The Telegraph gave it four out of five stars. [17] A review in Gizmodo said that it captured extremely high-quality footage, but it may be higher-end than needed for many gamers that would be satisfied with the recording features built into the console. [15]

Stream Deck

The Stream Deck is a customizable control pad, which can act as a programmable keyboard that lets the user create their own macros. It is designed to serve as a video game live streaming control device for online streamers. Each button is an LCD screen which can be customized, and mapped to specific functions like 'Open Program' or 'Mute Microphone', or perform multiple actions at once.

Elgato has released multiple products under the Stream Deck name. Starting with the original Stream Deck on March 23, 2017, with 15 buttons, but continuing with the release of the Stream Deck Mini on July 24, 2018. [18] [19] Featuring only 6 buttons and no stand the Stream Deck Mini would target a lower price point with all the same software features of the original Stream Deck. [19] On May 28, 2019, Elgato would release the Stream Deck XL, a larger more expensive Stream Deck featuring 32 buttons and a magnetically attached removable stand, and the Stream Deck mobile app which presented 15 buttons on the users phone via an Android and IOS app wirelessly connected to their PC. Both the Stream Deck XL and Stream Deck mobile app connected to the same software used by the original Stream Deck and Stream Deck Mini, with all of the same features. [20] In July, 2021 Elgato released an updated version of the original Stream Deck called the Stream Deck Mk.2. It featured the same 15 customizable buttons, a magnetically attached removable stand like the Stream Deck XL, and a removable face plate. [18] Departing from Stream Deck's normal desktop format in January, 2022 Elgato released the Stream Deck Pedal, a device designed to be operated by the user's feet with three buttons, adjustable tension on each button, and no displays. [21]

Green screens

Elgato offers a collapsible, ceiling-hung green screen. It is most commonly used by content creators on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. [22]

Video lights

The Key Light and the Key Light Air are two models of video lights produced by Elgato. The Key Light Air is a lower budget, less powerful version of the Key Light. The Key Light has a maximum brightness of 2800 Lumens, while the Key Light Air is half as bright at 1400 Lumens. [23]

Elgato also offers the Ring Light, which differs from the Key Light in that it is circular rather than rectangular, and features physical controls, while the Key Light and Key Light Air are controlled via app. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handheld game console</span> Portable self-contained video game console

A handheld game console, or simply handheld console, is a small, portable self-contained video game console with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are smaller than home video game consoles and contain the console, screen, speakers, and controls in one unit, allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USB</span> Standard for computer data connections

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that allows data exchange and delivery of power between many various types of electronics. It specifies its architecture, in particular its physical interface, and communication protocols for data transfer and power delivery to and from hosts, such as personal computers, to and from peripheral devices, e.g. displays, keyboards, and mass storage devices, and to and from intermediate hubs, which multiply the number of a host's ports.

Various accessories for the PlayStation 3 video game console have been produced by Sony and third-party companies. These include controllers, audio and video input devices like microphones, video cameras, and cables for better sound and picture quality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EyeTV</span>

EyeTV is a European brand of TV tuners that allow users to watch TV on various devices including computers and smartphones. The brand was introduced in 2002 by Elgato Systems and was sold to Geniatech in 2016.

Thunderbolt is the brand name of a hardware interface for the connection of external peripherals to a computer. It was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple. It was initially marketed under the name Light Peak, and first sold as part of an end-user product on 24 February 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ThinkPad X series</span> Series of laptops by IBM and Lenovo

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenovo Yoga</span> Line of consumer-oriented laptop computers and tablets

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">ThinkPad X1 series</span> Series of laptops by Lenovo

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">GameStick</span> Discontinued home video game console

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">USB-C</span> 24-pin USB connector system

USB-C, or USB Type-C, is a 24-pin connector that supersedes previous USB connectors and can carry audio, video and other data, e.g., to drive multiple displays, to store a backup to an external drive. It can also provide and receive power, such as powering a laptop or a mobile phone. It is applied not only by USB technology, but also by other protocols, including Thunderbolt, PCIe, HDMI, DisplayPort, and others. It is extensible to support future standards.

Lenovo ThinkPad 10 refers to two generations of 10-inch business-oriented tablet computers manufactured by Lenovo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GPD Win 2</span> Handheld Windows 10 gaming computer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eve Systems</span> German home automation producer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation 5</span> Sonys ninth-generation and fifth home video game console

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The GPD Win Max is a Windows-based palmtop computer manufactured by Gamepad Digital (GPD). It is the successor to the GPD Win 2, and was crowdfunded, like its predecessor. Announced in the first quarter of 2020, the crowdfunding campaign was launched on Indiegogo on May 18, 2020, priced at $779. The campaign concluded on July 1, 2020 with more than 3,500 backers having contributed more than $2.8 million dollars in total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazon Luna</span> Cloud gaming and streaming service

Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming platform developed and operated by Amazon. Available only in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, the platform is powered by Amazon Web Services, has integration with Twitch, and is available on Windows, Mac, Amazon Fire TV, iOS as well as Android. Luna offers access to a selection of games via the Luna+ subscription as well as to channels from brands such as Ubisoft+ and Jackbox Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steam Deck</span> Handheld gaming computer by Valve

The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming computer developed by Valve and released on February 25, 2022. The device uses Valve's Linux distribution SteamOS, which incorporates the namesake Steam storefront. SteamOS uses Valve's Proton compatibility layer, allowing users to run Windows applications and games. In addition to handheld use, the Steam Deck can be connected to a TV or monitor through a docking station and be used like a desktop computer or home video game console. In desktop mode, users can install Linux-based third-party applications.

References

  1. Hargreaves, Eddie (March 12, 2007). "Elgato ends collaboration with Miglia". Giga Om. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  2. "Elgato Systems Renames to Eve Systems After Spinning Off Gaming Business". TechPowerUp. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  3. 1 2 "Add a slew of ports to your MacBook with the Elgato Thunderbolt Dock". CNET. April 4, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Dormon, Bob (June 3, 2014). "Plugging the gaps in today's Macs: Elgato Thunderbolt Dock". The Register. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  5. Summers, Nick (April 14, 2014). "Elgato Thunderbolt Dock review: This sleek station will supercharge your laptop-powered workspace". TheNextWeb. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  6. Harrison, Andrew (July 23, 2014). "Elgato Thunderbolt Dock review". MacWorld. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  7. Stonebridge, Alan (May 1, 2014). "Elgato Thunderbolt Dock review:Connect several devices to your computer by plugging in a single cable".
  8. Cooper, Daniel. "Elgato's Thunderbolt SSD brings no noise, brings the pain(less) operation". Engadget. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  9. Ku, Andrew (July 15, 2012). "Nine External Thunderbolt Storage Devices, Rounded Up". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  10. Bartleman, Kean (May 2, 2012). "Elgato's bus-powered Thunderbolt SSD". Macworld. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  11. Fingas, Jon (November 8, 2013). "Elgato Thunderbolt Drive+ SSD earns its 'plus' tag through USB 3.0 and brisk speeds". Engadget. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  12. "Elgato Thunderbolt Drive+ review: Blazing fast portable drive". CNET. February 14, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  13. Dormon, Bob (March 6, 2014). "Vulture wraps claws around Elgato Thunderbolt Drive+ portable SSD". The Register. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  14. Turner, Adam (July 16, 2012). "What is ... Elgato's Game Capture HD". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  15. 1 2 Simpson, Campbell (October 29, 2014). "Elgato Game Capture HD 60: Australian Review". Gizmodo Australia. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  16. Riley, Mike (July 15, 2013). "Record iPad Video with Elgato Game Capture HD". iphone life magazine. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  17. Hoggins, Tom (October 17, 2014). "Elgato Game Capture HD 60 review". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  18. 1 2 Elgato. "Elgato Stream Deck — What is the difference between Stream Deck and Stream Deck MK.2". help.elgato.com. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  19. 1 2 "Elgato Announces Stream Deck Mini Studio Controller – A New Way To Evolve Your Content". www.corsair.com. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  20. "Elgato Expands the Stream Deck Range with Stream Deck XL and Stream Deck Mobile". www.corsair.com. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  21. "Elgato Releases Its New Stream Deck Pedal". GameSpot. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  22. Stefan. "Elgato Green Screen Review - Is It Worth the Money in 2022?" . Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  23. "Elgato Key Light vs Elgato Key Light Air [Review and Comparison]". Stream Tech Reviews by BadIntent. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  24. "Elgato Ring Light Review vs Key Light and Key Light Air". Stream Tech Reviews by BadIntent. Retrieved 2022-06-25.