StarTech PEXHDCAP2 PCIe HD Video Capture Card — HDMI, DVI, VGA, Component Input

Overview

The StarTech PEXHDCAP2 is a low-profile PCI Express x1 capture card that brings HDMI, DVI, VGA, Component, and analog audio inputs into a Windows PC for recording or monitoring up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. If you're integrating a broadcast encoder workstation, a video wall controller, or a signal-chain recording rig where the source device outputs one of several connector types, this single card handles them all through one DVI-I breakout port — no USB dongles, no external boxes. At 2.0 oz and a 4.7 × 4.7 in footprint, it installs in full-height or low-profile cases without consuming additional PCIe bandwidth beyond a single x1 slot.

The card is built around the Mstar MST3367CMK-IF-170 chipset, a proven scalar/capture silicon used in professional display and capture applications. Compression is handled in software via MPEG4 and H.264 encoding, keeping the encoded output compact for storage or streaming pipelines without requiring a dedicated GPU.

Key Features

• Multi-format input on a single connector: Component, DVI, HDMI, and VGA all route through the onboard DVI-I port, meaning you can adapt the card to virtually any legacy or current AV source without swapping hardware. One card covers a mixed-source environment where signal types vary by rack position.
• 1080p30 maximum capture resolution: Full HD at 30 fps is sufficient for conference room recording, broadcast monitoring, or archiving a video source that doesn't require 60 fps delivery. If you're capturing 60 fps game footage or high-motion video production, note this ceiling before spec'ing it in.
• H.264 / MPEG4 compression: H.264 encoding reduces stored file sizes substantially compared to raw capture — practical when recording long-duration sessions to local disk. The software-based encode path means CPU headroom on the host machine matters; plan accordingly on lower-spec workstations.
• 16-bit 48kHz audio capture with HDMI 2-channel or RCA stereo: Audio is captured at CD-quality sample rates (48kHz, 16-bit), so synchronized AV recordings stay clean for voice and presentation content. HDMI carries embedded audio automatically; RCA stereo input handles analog sources.
• NTSC, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-60 standard compatibility: Supports all major broadcast color standards, which matters in mixed-region deployments or when archiving legacy PAL-format source material from international equipment.
• Low-profile and full-profile bracket support: The 4.7 × 4.7 in, 0.8 in height profile fits tight 1U or 2U rack-mount workstations with low-profile PCIe slots — a real constraint in AV-over-IP encoder builds where chassis space is at a premium.
• MTBF rated at 1,757,807 hours: That figure translates to over 200 years of theoretical mean time between failures, indicating the component-level reliability spec is appropriate for always-on recording or monitoring deployments rather than occasional-use setups.
• Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1 compatibility: Supported across current and recent Windows versions, which simplifies deployment on existing enterprise workstation images without hunting for legacy drivers.
• 0°C to 40°C operating temperature range: Standard commercial-grade thermal envelope — adequate for conditioned rack rooms or AV closets, but not suitable for industrial or outdoor enclosures without active cooling.

Integration and Compatibility

The PEXHDCAP2 occupies a single PCIe x1 slot and is compatible with any motherboard that provides a standard x1, x4, x8, or x16 physical slot (x1 cards seat in any larger slot). The single DVI-I output connector (29-pin) accepts standard DVI, HDMI-to-DVI, VGA-to-DVI, and component-to-DVI adapter cables — verify you have the appropriate adapter cable for non-DVI sources, as the card ships with the breakout port only. Driver support covers Windows 11, 10, and 8/8.1; no Linux or macOS support is listed in available evidence, so validate your OS before purchasing for non-Windows environments. For NVR or VMS-based recording workflows, the card captures to a local capture application rather than acting as an IP camera endpoint — it is not an ONVIF device and does not appear on a network video management system directly. For environments where you need a multi-channel capture solution, multiple cards can occupy separate PCIe slots provided the host system has available bandwidth and PCIe lanes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input formats does the PEXHDCAP2 support?

A: The PEXHDCAP2 accepts Component, DVI, HDMI, VGA, and analog audio (RCA stereo) inputs, all routed through a single DVI-I 29-pin connector on the card's bracket. Adapter cables are required for HDMI, VGA, and Component sources.

Q: What is the maximum capture resolution and frame rate?

A: The maximum supported capture resolution is 1080p at 30 frames per second. The card does not support 1080p60 or 4K capture.

Q: Is the PEXHDCAP2 compatible with Windows 11?

A: Yes. Supported operating systems include Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8/8.1. No Linux or macOS compatibility is confirmed in available documentation.

Q: Will this card fit in a low-profile PC or 1U rack workstation?

A: Yes. The PEXHDCAP2 measures 4.7 × 4.7 inches with a 0.8-inch profile and supports both low-profile and full-profile bracket configurations, making it compatible with small-form-factor and 1U chassis builds.

Q: What is the warranty on the PEXHDCAP2?

A: StarTech provides a 2-year manufacturer warranty on the PEXHDCAP2.

Q: Does the PEXHDCAP2 capture audio as well as video?

A: Yes. The card captures audio at 16-bit, 48kHz quality via HDMI embedded 2-channel audio or RCA stereo analog input, synchronized with the video capture stream.

Karl Wilson

The PEXHDCAP2 earns its place in encoder workstation builds specifically because of its multi-format DVI-I input architecture — one physical port handles Component, DVI, HDMI, and VGA without swapping cards or adding a matrix switch. In a mixed-signal AV closet where legacy and current sources coexist, that flexibility is worth more than the card's price difference over single-format alternatives. The 1,757,807-hour MTBF spec tells you this is sized for continuous-duty use, not occasional captures.

Technical Highlights:

• Mstar MST3367CMK-IF-170 chipset: A scalar-class chip purpose-built for display and capture signal processing — handles format conversion between input standards (NTSC, PAL, PAL-M, PAL-60) without host CPU involvement at the signal level, offloading that work before the encode stage.
• 16-bit 48kHz audio: Captures audio at professional broadcast sample rates — sufficient for voice, presentation, and conference content without audible quantization artifacts, whether you're pulling embedded HDMI audio or connecting an analog RCA stereo source.
• PCIe x1 interface: Consumes exactly one x1 slot and lane — the lowest PCIe footprint possible. On systems with limited PCIe resources (common in 1U rack workstations), this matters. You can add multiple PEXHDCAP2 cards in x4 or x8 physical slots if the chassis allows it.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 0°C to 40°C operating range is a hard limit — rack rooms without active cooling that spike above 40°C during summer months will push this card outside spec. Verify rack thermal management before long-term deployment.
• The 1080p30 ceiling is a real constraint for high-motion video production or 60 fps source recording. If the source device outputs 1080p60 or higher, the PEXHDCAP2 will capture it at a reduced frame rate — test the capture behavior with your specific source before committing to a multi-seat deployment.

This card is the right spec for a permanent AV-over-IP encoding station in a corporate AV integration, boardroom recording infrastructure, or a broadcast monitoring rack where source signal types are mixed and chassis space limits PCIe slot count to one.