Datapath VisionRGB-E1S Capture Card Review

The Datapath Vision E1 and E1S capture cards are a great option for retro gamers who want to capture footage from older consoles. These internal capture cards can handle 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit consoles, and can be found relatively inexpensively on sites like eBay. They are PCI Express cards that support both Windows and Linux.

The default interface is DVI (an older display technology) but adapters can easily convert them to HDMI. It's important to note that the Datapath Vision cards do not capture audio, only video. The maximum resolution they can capture is 1920 x 1200. It's possible to run more than one of these cards at the same time. The E1S is usually slightly more expensive than the E1, but the difference in picture quality is negligible. The cards typically ship with a low-profile bracket that won't fit in a typical PC setup, but 3D-printed brackets are available.

The Datapath Vision cards are ideal for capturing footage from older consoles that output RGB, which carry the highest quality signal possible. For newer consoles that use HDMI, the Datapath Vision cards work great, although there may be better quality capture cards available for a higher price. These cards are supported by OBS as of 2023. For audio, an HDMI splitter can be used to capture both audio and video, or the line in on your PC can be used. Overall, the Datapath Vision cards are a great choice for retro gamers who want to capture high-quality footage from older consoles.