Razer launches new Ripsaw capture card for live streaming PC, console games

Gaming gear designer Razer is tapping into the growing live streaming movement with the launch of the Razer Ripsaw, an external capture card that will allow gamers to stream their favourite titles to platforms like Twitch and YouTube. The device also works with popular streaming apps like Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) and XSplit.

"Razer has been involved with the streaming scene since the beginning of game broadcasting, with top streamers using our hardware through the ages to get the unfair gaming advantage in front of audiences," Min-Liang Tan, Razer CEO and co-founder, said in a statement. "We're excited to design a game capture card that meets the exacting needs of broadcasters and to also give newcomers a perfect tool to help them possibly become the next Syndicate or Pewdiepie."

The Razer Ripsaw connects to a PC via a USB 3.0 port, is capable of capturing 1080p footage at 60 frames per second and will stream the "uncompressed raw game footage with nearly zero latency". Streamers can also use the device's audio and microphone inputs to add a second audio commentary layer from a microphone or music source.

The device is compatible with Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii U and Razer Forge TV.

It does, however, have pretty beefy system requirements to handle the device's industrial-strength capabilities.

For gaming on a PC, the device requires an Intel Core i5-4440 (3.10ghZ) processor or better, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 graphics card or better and 4GB of memory, although Razer recommends 8GB.

If you are using a laptop, the requirements are higher. The requirements include an Intel Core i7-4810MQ processor or better, a Nvidia GeForce GTX 870M graphics chip or better and, again, 4GB of memory.

The Razer Ripsaw bundle includes all the cables you need to plug-and-play with consoles including a USB 3.0 cable, an HDMI cable, a component AV cable, a component AV multi-cable, a 3.5mm audio cable and a product information guide.

Live video streaming has gained serious momentum of late with tech giants like Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter all heavily investing in the new frontier. Game streaming is also a unique opportunity to make money, if you have the right equipment and the skill to keep people entertained. YouTube star and video game commentator PewDiePie, aka Felix Kjellberg, who has more than 43 million followers, was named the top-earning YouTube star in the world by Forbes after earning $12m pretax in 2014.

Razer's Ripsaw is currently available worldwide for $180.