Update: The Kickstarter campaign has ended, and Genki has utterly smashed its initial goal of $30,000, raising a total of $1,931,677 from 30,382 backers. Were you one of them?
Original Story [Wed 23rd Dec, 2020 05:00 GMT]: Human Things has launched a new Kickstarter campaign for a device called the Genki: ShadowCast and it's already well and truly smashed its goal of $30,000.
In just hours, the team has already got more than $300,000 worth of pledges and the device itself is priced at $39 USD.
So, what does this device do that's so great? It offers the "simplest way" to play console games on your computer and laptop devices, and does it without the need of an internet connection or a television. It features 4K HDMI input and USB Type-C output, and is compatible with the Switch, PS5 and XSX.
Note: HDMI 2.0 input brings in 4K video from the latest game consoles, including the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4/5, and XBox Series S/X
USB-C output transfers to computer at 1920x1080 @ 30fps and 1280x720 @ 60fps
Accompanying the ShadowCast is a new Genki Arcade app - making it easy to detect the ShadowCast from whatever device you're playing. It's designed from ground-up to "minimize computing resources and prioritize latency".
Human Things details an additional function (essentially a more affordable capture card):
" The beauty of being able to connect your gaming console to your computer means you can actually record, edit, and stream your gameplay. While it may not be at the same level as a professional grade capture card that costs 5-10x more, it’s more than capable for most gameplay capturing needs while being much more flexible and easy to use across multiple platforms."
For more details, get the full rundown in the video above. Does this look like an accessory that would be of interest to yourself? Leave a comment down below.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 67
How much you wanna bet it bricks the system?
@TheAwesomeBowser its just an Hdmi connecter.... works similar to how other game capture cards work.
And ive used their portable brick and havent had any issues so far.
It's pretty interesting, though I can't currently think of a use for it when I've got as many displays as I do, and not all that many devices with USB-C inputs. That's mostly just much newer laptops and such.
Does their Shadowcast work with USB-C to USB-A cables, or must it be USB-C to USB-C? For the inexpensive price I might consider grabbing one otherwise.
That video was too corny. Had to turn it off.
Sounds like a pretty good accessory for PS5 and other consoles. Much less useful for the Switch as I can't think of many situations where I'd want to play docked on a laptop instead of just using handheld mode.
My dream came true
Reading into the campaign a bit more closely, the limitations of the device for its pricepoint become increasingly apparent.
The Shadowcast can supposedly handle 4K input but only outputs 1080p at 30FPS, or 720p at 60FPS?
And the included USB-C cable is only 2.0, not 3.0?
HDMI 2.0 is capable of so much more with supported 4K 60FPS output, so it's clear here that the device itself is the bottleneck.
I would prefer a solution that does not compromise so I'll probably skip this altogether in favour of a standard HDMI output to a TV or monitor display.
This could be GREAT for game streaming/recording for those wanting to get into YouTube or something, but can't afford one of those expensive capture cards. This sounds like a relatively cheap way to do pretty much the same thing that something much more expensive can do. Its not just about "playing on your laptop", but "using the laptop to stream Switch games to Twitch/YouTube/other video services". I like it!
Really useful if you want to stream from the switch cheaply.
If the visual quality isn't too bad, I'd like to get this so I can stream to my friends on Discord. I'm being cautiously optimistic though, as I do get burned quite often when it comes to buying stuff online.
Also, I only just noticed that my laptop does in fact have a USB-C port. Neat!
Problem is they showed it on a Apple not a PC windows computer that only has either a DVI or HDMI only if you buy the latest Gaming Laptop would it have a USBC port. So that will force those support to not if they can't show this part.
I hope there is a app like ps5 and ps4.
Well.. it's just a cheap usb capture card. Usually these have high latency. This is why most have HDMI passthrough. Nope, I can't say that I'm impressed here.
The real question is whether the latency is noticeable or not. That becomes the defining factor on if it's actually functional.
@SirAileron @sanderev
They're claiming the thing has 0 to 0.02s of latency when using their dedicated app on Mac OSX and Windows, but we'll see.
One of the disadvantages is if you just want to use it for a streaming/recording setup, you'd still need something like an HDMI splitter to output the signal to both your main display and your computer.
Hopped in on the first batch, may or may not stick around until the end since I'm trying to figure out how it ties into my current setup. Being able to stream directly from it is nice, and I may look pairing it with Parsec in the future.
@RupeeClock What these devices do is "capture" digital video from the HDMI port, decode that and encode it to something you can display onto the computer. That always takes some noticeable time. Especially over USB, because that encoding is handled by your CPU.
A normal monitor / tv just decodes the signal and displays the output. (And yes even then you have a fraction of input lag)
I thought it had something to do with Professor Genki from Saints Row III.
@TheAwesomeBowser
You'd get pretty high odds, I'd wager. They have an exemplary track record, with last year's Covert Dock demonstrating their technical capabilities.
If you don't want to play on the big screen tv then I'm pretty sure the switch already has that covered 🤔😂
Cant see this selling well
I already have some USB 3.0 capture cards that I use for recording, as well as for playing Switch on PC while on discord etc. So I won't be needing this.
HDMI to USB adaptors are already a thing.
@RupeeClock @SwitchForce
Genki already wrote in Kickstarter comments section that it will work with a USB-C to USB-A cable. As the adapter (just) emulates a webcam for the computer, this is no surprise
@MakkaroniOni
You can hack a Switch via HDMI? Tell me more... (nonsense)
@vanYth
That's good to know then, but that's still a pretty important detail to be missing from their campaign at launch.
Apparently USB 3.1 cables are supported, but not packaged without paying extra for it.
@MakkaroniOni
Well, I know what sarcasm is. I am sorry, when I was not able to see it in your post. Maybe it was not absurd enough to be clearly a taunt to people believing this could happen?
@UltimateOtaku91 “Can’t see this selling well.”
Met it’s funding goal in hours.
Yep, you can’t see!
@TG16_IS_BAE set myself up for that one didn't I 😂
@UltimateOtaku91 It’s ok, I am super punchy today lol
@TheAwesomeBowser Litterally no chance for this to brick the system, it's an HDMI connector for god's sake.
You folks are paranoid and dont know how to research.
@ALinkttPresent Genki has a great track record. I’ve bought three different things from them including the Covert dock and the quality is fantastic. I’m more than happy to support them again on something like this.
@TheAwesomeBowser it won’t. I have their covert dock, which actually had the potential to brick Switch’s and it works flawlessly. I haven’t read one report about a Genki product bricking Switch’s.
Backed almost right away. Human things has made nothing but quality and I'm sure this will be mo different. My only issue is I wish it came out sooner because I didn't have a convenient TV or monitor to plug into for a couple of years up until now.
wouldn't mind trying it
@Dijita same i own all their gear and they have never bricked a single switch
So in other words, just a capture card. Nothing new, really. Just smaller than existing devices.
@TheAwesomeBowser Any amount because it won't.
Most labtops hdmi are locked to output only. Gotta make sure your laptop is compatible.
Great deal for people looking to start streaming. I have loved my Genki Dock for switch and would get this if I didn’t already have an elgato.
Whatever you do, do NOT type "Genki Shadowcast" into Amazon right now... lol. Now what I was expecting to see.
@tadams587 you plug the hdmi into the switch. You plug the USB cable into the laptop.
@SwitchForce “ Problem is they showed it on a Apple not a PC windows computer that only has either a DVI or HDMI only if you buy the latest Gaming Laptop would it have a USBC port”
Unsure exactly what you are saying, but if it’s that only top end laptops would have USB-C, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Non Mac laptops have had USB-C for ages. My several years old HP work laptop has it for example and that’s a business grade device, not a gaming one. My inexpensive desktop PC I purchased the mother board for several years back, probably around 3, also came with USB-C.
USB-C has been common for several years now across the industry. Definitely don’t need to own gaming or top end models either.
I was looking for something that could do this a couple of years ago when I was going out of the Country (remember those days?!) with some friends for a long weekend who don't have a Switch. Being able to play Switch on a large laptop screen is handy in that scenario as can easily pack both onto a plane - and worth this small cost. I'll keep an eye and see how it performs, but definitely useful to have on you when away from home!
@tadams587 It's a USB device If your latop had HDMI input you wouldn't need it since you can basically connect your dock to it.
We will just have to wait and see what becoms of it.
I was thinking this would allow you to play on a tablet device. If it would, certainly useful, as when docked i have to take my TV with me. Seeing that i have a fairly big screen tablet (Samsung Tab S7+) i could see it's usefulness if it would allow me to connect to it. Other than that, a pretty expensive device, just to able to stream something online, which lets admit, not many of us do.
I was bombarded with their ads, so they must have spend more than there initial goal on FB..
Still i don't think this is that innovative, i recently bought a hdmi to usb connector for 20 euros..
https://www.bol.com/nl/p/hdmi-capture-card-inclusief-usb-c-adapter-hdmi-to-usb-live-streamen-video-capture-card-game-capture-card-live-gamen-streaming-capture-card/9300000016708361/
is this any different?
I'm always skeptical of backing hardware, so I didn't jump in right away on this guy, but I am certainly interested in getting one once it hits market.
For those of you who only saw this at beginning of the campaign, they actually changed the output from 720 @ 60hz and 1080 @ 30hz to 1080 @ 60hz. Turns out it was a software limitation rather than hardware, just sucks for many ppl who didn't see the change and decided not to back. @romanista The only difference I can really see is that the one you linked can only do 30hz but also the Genki has it's own optional software that likely helps with reducing latency and it can be used as a webcam feed so you can integrate a game feed into zoom for instance. Also when backing there was an option to get a usb C to usb A adapter if you don't have a newer laptop.
@TheAwesomeBowser Umm.... I suggest you research before you make comments like this. It's impossible for this to brick the system. It simply pushes the HDMI signal.
Even their other product, the GENKI dock, which has the potential to brick a system.... doesn't. Their products are top quality. They've done the work. I trust their products 100%
basically this device doesn't do much since it depends on the switch's capabilities
40$ for a capture card is a super cheap, but the res./fps is a bit limiting. I guess nice for capturing some moments, but can't replace a 150$ 4K60 pro for "professional" use.
This seems like a great starter device for aspiring streamers.
So it seems pretty cool for streaming for beginners. But I can't think of why I would want it otherwise. I can't really think of a time where I did have access to a computer, but not a TV. It's been much more likely throughout my life that I'd have access to a TV but not a computer.
@Zochmenos That's exactly what I was thinking. This isn't going to replace higher end devices for dedicated set ups. This is a casual plug and play solution for beginners or people who aren't too serious.
@javiboy2 Ah thanx.. btw i bought it for two reasons: for my son’s streaming ambitions and to use my gopro as extra webcam for zoom so I could stand and present
@RupeeClock highly doubtful. It will be several frames in practice unless the machine has a very fast bus. I don't see that happening.
Plus, I don't see this as a need to have item.
@RupeeClock So this will never be able to show 1080p 60fps Switch on your Mac screen - is that right?
@brunojenso
That's correct, the Genki Shadowcast will output 1080p 30FPS or 720p 60FPS.
You have to sacrifice either framerate or resolution.
@RupeeClock Thanks mate - it's a no go then. However I'm glad to see people starting to recognise the market for this type of thing. Things like Mac screens are often the only screen in our bedrooms - I've always wanted to hook consoles to my Apple screens over the years.
But unfortunately there are a lot of idiots out there that don't have that case requirement themselves, so said fools dismiss other peoples interest in doing so with 'just get a TV bro...' type comments.
I hope they continue to improve these things.
@brunojenso
It's interesting to think that there are a lot of people that can't or won't get a TV.
Though if you did, you'd be able to use it as a secondary display for your MacBook, if you want two displays or just to run your computer from a bigger display.
@RupeeClock true that.
@RupeeClock You didn't get the gist of this KS did you. This is about Gaming on the Go not your TV output anyone with a Switch has a Dock to do that with. This gives those on the Road more incentive to buy a Switch and be truly portable options.
@iulis84 you wouldn't need a new laptop due to HDMI out only. This device takes the HDMI source from a console and outputs it via USB to be able to play on the laptop. It may still not be for you, but that wouldn't be a limiting factor.
I was actually looking at a capture card or something like it to be able to play console games on a laptop screen. At the time, my options were too expensive for what I really wanted it to do. Sometimes, due to some chronic back and neck pain, it's very difficult to play games on a TV. Sometimes, using a laptop is much easier on my spine. Also, I prefer to have greater control over the screen color temperature on a computer that I don't really get to a meaningful degree with a TV, as bright white screens mess me up. I realize my use case is extremely specific, but this kind of thing is something I would actually have a use for. But it's also the kind of thing I'd wait on so that I could see what thorough reviews say. But I do like what it's supposed to be as well.
@SwitchForce
I understand that just fine, it's one of two things it's good for. Setting up TV mode displays on the go, or preparing an entry-level recording/streaming setup.
I was specifically responding to brunojenso's situation of their bedroom having no TV or display. A lot of people will want a display in their room that isn't just their laptop.
@RupeeClock That was always there from the beginning I think everyone knows that. We just have alot of others whom are whinners because they have nothing better to do. I reply wasn't specific to yours but to stop whinners from making useless whinning. One thing to complain it's another story when they start whinning without a leg to stand on.
As someone who is considering to start in the world of capturing and streaming myself, this was a no brainer as a starting point.
Plus now when my partner and I are apart during lockdown, we can have one each and on zoom have both our games streaming side by side whilst chatting. So valuable for several reasons at a cheap price.
@sanderev
Is it usb 2.0 compatible?
Tap here to load 67 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...