Once we reviewed the unique Genki Shadowcast again in 2021, we have been a bit lukewarm on it. Whereas the enchantment of a seize card the scale of a USB thumb drive wants little clarification, the gadget was hamstrung by muddy compression and a excessive stage of latency. It felt like an answer seeking an issue, even when we may see some advantage in a product that allowed your laptop computer to double as a conveyable gaming show.
Creator Human Issues has refreshed its vary for 2023, and the Genki Shadowcast is among the merchandise that is getting a tidy-up – and this welcome improve turns the gadget into one thing we might advocate with a bit extra enthusiasm.
The headline information right here is that the Shadowcast 2 can now seize at 1080p / 60, which is an enormous enchancment over the 1080p / 30 the unique unit was able to. Moreover, by providing USB 3.2 assist, the gadget can leverage ten instances extra bandwidth than the 2021 mannequin – which suggests clearer seize, decrease latency and fewer compression artefacts. Briefly, Shadowcast 2 gives a greater expertise in each division – bar one. The bundled USB 3.2 cable is way shorter than the one which shipped with the primary mannequin, making the method of setting issues up a bit extra awkward.
Picture and video seize is noticeably improved, making this an excellent ‘on the highway’ seize gadget, because it’s considerably smaller than most main seize playing cards. Not everybody wants super-crisp 4K video, so this cheap center floor will naturally enchantment to Swap gameplay streamers, because the console is not able to 4K output anyway.
When you’re eager to make use of it as a way of connecting your console to your laptop computer for gaming away from the TV, then the decreased latency goes to be very interesting; whereas it was completely attainable to play this fashion on the unique Shadowcast, enter lag did often rear its ugly head, as did drops within the body fee. We’re happy to report that issues are a lot improved this time round.
As was the case with the 2021 Shadowcast, you possibly can choose between ‘efficiency’ and ‘decision’ modes utilizing the Genki Arcade software program. Efficiency mode favours decrease latency on the expense of picture high quality, whereas decision mode is the choice to go for in case you’re seeking to seize photos or footage. In each modes, there’s an apparent high quality bump when in comparison with the unique Shadowcast, however do not go anticipating the identical commonplace you’d see on different, dearer seize playing cards – colors nonetheless look a little muted.
When you’re searching for a full-fat seize resolution, then Genki can also be releasing the Shadowcast Professional as a part of its 2023 vary (we’ll cowl that in a separate evaluate), however it’s additionally going to price extra – so there’s undoubtedly room for this new and improved Shadowcast 2 available in the market.
At $50, it is not going to interrupt the financial institution, and will nicely be the cheap-and-cheerful seize possibility you’ve got been searching for.
You may again the Shadowcast 2 over at Kickstarter now.
Due to Human Issues for sending us the Genki Shadowcast 2 used on this evaluate.