Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini vs Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
$149
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Magewell
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
$149

The Ruling

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini or Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2? It is a toss-up.

Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other — the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini takes Connectivity, the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 takes Passthrough — and they are priced the same. Buy for the axis you actually use.

Unless…

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.

CategoryBlackmagic Design ATEM MiniMagewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Capture Quality10/1010/10
Passthrough2.5/1010/10
Connectivity10/105/10
Value10/1010/10

The Split

What each one wins

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini

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

On paper the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini takes HDMI ports (2, +1). It gives up passthrough resolution to the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2. The two are priced the same, so price does not decide it.

Leads on

  • HDMI Ports +1
    2
    1

    HDMI input receives the video source; HDMI output sends it to your display.

Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2

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

On paper the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 takes passthrough resolution (4K30). It gives up HDMI ports to the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini. The two are priced the same, so price does not decide it.

Leads on

  • Passthrough Resolution
    4K30
    1080p60

Where they’re identical

These 2 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.

  • Connection Type usb-c, hdmi
  • Capture Resolution 1080p60

The Record

14 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini and Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2, grouped by area.
Specification
Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
Magewell
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Capture QualityEven
Capture Resolution1080p601080p60
Resolutionno datano data
PassthroughMagewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2
Passthrough Resolution1080p60✓ 4K30
MotionNot enough data
Refresh Rateno datano data
Audio ResolutionNot enough data
Max Sample Rateno datano data
Mic InputsNot enough data
XLR Inputsno datano data
ConnectivityBlackmagic Design ATEM Mini
HDMI Ports✓ 21
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
Pcie Slotsno datano data
Interfaceno datano data
Audio Supportno 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

Neither product wins outright on the specs the catalog holds, so the choice comes down to which set of strengths matches your work.

Worth considering
Most Connectivity

The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini is priced at $149.00. It leads in HDMI ports (2). More I/O options for complex setups.

  • + More HDMI ports (2 vs 1)
  • × Weaker passthrough resolution (1080p60 vs 4K30)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You need 2 HDMI connections for multiple devices

Look elsewhere if

  • × You want 4K30 or higher capture quality

Best for complex setup builders.

Worth considering
Easiest Setup

The Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 is priced at $149.00. It leads in passthrough resolution (4K30). Fewer ports and inputs — plug in and go.

  • + Better passthrough resolution (4K30 vs 1080p60)
  • × Fewer HDMI ports (1 vs 2)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want 4K30 capture quality

Look elsewhere if

  • × You need the best HDMI ports available

Best for beginners, 4k30 content creators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini and Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2?

The largest gap is passthrough resolution, where the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 leads — 4K30 against 1080p60. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 2 specs, including connection type and capture resolution. Two capture cards from Blackmagic Design and Magewell, each taking a different approach to video quality and latency.

Which is better for streaming, Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini or Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2?

It is a toss-up. Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other — the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini takes Connectivity, the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen 2 takes Passthrough — and they are priced the same. Buy for the axis you actually use.

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