AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) vs Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini

Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2). The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is also the cheaper...

AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
AVerMedia
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
$199.99
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
$295

The Ruling

AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) or Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini? Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2).

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $95.01.

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At a Glance

Where each one actually leads

Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.

CategoryAVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
Capture Quality10/102.5/10
Passthrough10/102.5/10
Value10/106.8/10

The Split

What each one wins

AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)

HDMI 2.1 external capture card with high-refresh passthrough for next-gen gaming workflows.

On paper the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) takes capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)) and passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. It is the cheaper of the two, by $95.01.

Leads on

  • Capture Resolution
    4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)
    1080p60
  • Passthrough Resolution
    Up to 4K144
    1080p60

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini

Video capture device for gameplay, cameras, or HDMI sources with creator-friendly passthrough and recording support.

It gives up capture resolution and passthrough resolution to the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2). That costs $95.01 more than the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2).

Leads on

  • Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.

Where they’re identical

One spec is the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.

  • Connection Type usb-c, hdmi

The Record

14 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) and Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini, grouped by area.
Specification
AVerMedia
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
Capture QualityAVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Capture Resolution✓ 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)1080p60
Resolutionno datano data
PassthroughAVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Passthrough Resolution✓ Up to 4K1441080p60
MotionNot enough data
Refresh Rateno datano data
Audio ResolutionNot enough data
Max Sample Rateno datano data
Mic InputsNot enough data
XLR Inputsno datano data
ConnectivityNot enough data
HDMI Portsno data2
Connection Typeusb-c, hdmiusb-c, hdmi
PowerNot enough data
Power Requirementno datano data
Phantom Powerno datano data
CompatibilityNot enough data
Operating Systemno datano data
Other specsNot enough data
Audio Support5.1 channel passthrough/capture supportno data
Pcie Slotsno datano data
Interfaceno datano data

A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.

Bottom Line

Who each one is for

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.

Our pick

At $199.99, the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) is the most affordable option — 32% less than the priciest pick. It leads in capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)) and passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144). Offers the most spec advantages per dollar in this comparison.

  • + Better capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) vs 1080p60)
  • + Better passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144 vs 1080p60)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) capture quality
  • ✓ You want Up to 4K144 capture quality
  • ✓ Budget is your top priority — $95.01 less than the priciest option

Best for value-focused buyers, 4k144 (mjpeg via streaming center) / 4k60 (obs mac) content creators, up to 4k144 content creators.

The alternative
Most Connectivity

At $295.00, the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini is the most expensive option and doesn't clearly outspec the cheaper alternatives. More I/O options for complex setups.

  • × Weaker capture resolution (1080p60 vs 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac))
  • × Weaker passthrough resolution (1080p60 vs Up to 4K144)
  • × Most expensive at $295.00

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ Your workflow matches its specific feature set

Look elsewhere if

  • × You're on a tight budget — save $95.01 with a cheaper option
  • × You want 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) or higher capture quality
  • × You want Up to 4K144 or higher capture quality

Best for complex setup builders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) and Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini?

The largest gap is capture resolution, where the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) leads — 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) against 1080p60. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 1 spec, including connection type. Two capture cards from AVerMedia and Blackmagic Design, each taking a different approach to video quality and latency.

Which is better for streaming, AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) or Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini?

Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2). The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $95.01.

Is the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini worth the extra $95 over the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)?

The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini costs $295.00 against $199.99, a difference of $95. On the catalog's specifications it does not lead the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) anywhere, so the premium buys brand, build or something the catalog does not record. Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.

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