There are two primary ways to capture a PC screen from another computer. You can either use NDI, or you can use an HDMI capture card.
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NDI is a technology that allows video and audio signals to be sent over a network. This makes it easy to capture the screen of one computer and send it to another.
An HDMI capture card is a device that plugs into your computer’s PCI or PCIe slot and captures the video output from your computer. This allows you to capture the screen of another computer without needing to be on the same network.
Which method you use will depend on your needs and setup. NDI is a great option if you want to capture the screen of another computer remotely, while an HDMI capture card is a good option if you want to record gameplay or create videos without the need for both computers to be on the same LAN.
What Is NDI?
NDI, or Network Device Interface, is a technology that allows video and audio signals to be sent over a network. This makes it easy to capture the screen of one computer and send it to another.
NDI is based on the well-known and widely-used IP protocol suite, which means it is compatible with a wide range of networking hardware and software. This makes it a great option for setups where different hardware types need to communicate.
How Does NDI Work?
When you want to capture the screen of another computer using NDI, you need an NDI source and an NDI destination. The source is the computer that will be sending the video signal, while the destination is the computer that will be receiving the signal.
The NDI source can be any device that can send a video signal over a network, such as a webcam, an IP camera, or a video production switcher. The destination can be any device that can receive and display a video signal, such as another computer, a television, or a projector.
When you want to start sending video from the source to the destination, you open up the NDI source on the source computer and the NDI destination on the destination computer. The two computers will then communicate over the network and send video back and forth.
What Are the Benefits of NDI?
There are several benefits to using NDI:
NDI is extremely flexible and compatible with a wide range of hardware and software.
NDI runs over your existing network, so it doesn’t require you to buy any additional or special equipment.
You can use NDI to capture the screen of one computer and send it to another over the Internet. You don’t need both computers on the same local area network (LAN) to record their screens.
What Are the Drawbacks of NDI?
There aren’t many drawbacks to using NDI:
The main drawback is that not all computers support it; if both computers do not support NDI, then this method will not work for you. Fortunately, most Windows machines support NDI, while many other devices, such as webcams, also support it.
An HDMI Capture Card is a device that plugs into your computer’s PCI or PCIe slot and captures the video output from your computer. This allows you to capture the screen of another computer without needing to be on the same network.
Which method you use will depend on your needs and setup. NDI is a great option if you want to capture the screen of another computer remotely, while an HDMI capture card is a good option if you want to record gameplay or create videos without the need for both computers to be on the same LAN.
What Is an HDMI Capture Card?
An HDMI capture card is a device that connects via a USB or Thunderbolt cable and captures the video signal from another source, such as a gaming console or another computer. This allows you to record the video output from that source without needing to be on the same network.
An HDMI capture card is a good option if you want to create videos or record gameplay footage without needing both computers to be on the same LAN. They are also useful for capturing video from devices that do not have an HDMI output, such as a 4K camera.
How Does an HDMI Capture Card Work?
When you want to use an HDMI capture card to capture the screen of another computer, you first need to connect it to the computer you want to record. You can do this by plugging it into your computer’s USB or Thunderbolt ports.
Once it is connected to both your computer and the other computer, you need to open up the software that comes with the card. This software will walk you through setting up your connection so that it can record your source computer’s screen.
What Are the Benefits of an HDMI Capture Card?
There are several benefits to using this type of capture card:
These cards work via USB or Thunderbolt cables, so they do not require additional networking equipment.
They are easy to connect; you only need to plug them into two computers to start recording video from another machine.
You can use these cards to capture video output from multiple sources, including game consoles and older devices that may not support NDI.
What Are the Drawbacks of an HDMI Capture Card?
The main drawback to using an HDMI capture card is that it can be expensive. Additionally, they can be difficult to set up if you are unfamiliar with computers and video capture.
How To Capture Another PC Using NDI
To capture the screen of another PC using NDI, both computers need to be running Windows 10 or later.
The first step is ensuring that both your source and destination computers are connected to the same network. Once connected, open up the NDI Source application on your source computer. This application will allow you to select which program you want to capture from.
Both OBS and vMix have software available for capturing NDI.
Once you have selected the program you want to capture, the NDI Source application will give you a unique identifier. You will need this identifier to set up your connection in the destination computer’s software.
Open up the vMix or OBS software on your destination computer and select “New NDI Source.” This will open up a window where you can enter the information given to you by the NDI Source application.
You will then be able to start streaming or recording the screen of your source computer.
How To Capture Another PC Using an HDMI Capture Card
First, make sure that both computers are connected to capture the screen of another PC using an HDMI capture card. The source computer should send a signal via HDMI to the capture card. The recording computer should be connected to the capture card using USB or Firewire.
Most HDMI to USB capture cards are plug n play however you may need to install drivers if not. If you need to install drivers, follow these instructions.
Once both computers are connected, open the software that came with your capture card. This software will walk you through setting up your connection so that it can record your source computer’s screen.
You should be ready to go.
Conclusion – How To Capture Another PC Screen
Since both methods of capturing another computer’s screen use similar software, they are also relatively easy to set up. There is only one primary difference between the options: an HDMI capture card requires you to connect using USB or Firewire, while NDI uses network cables.
Thank you for reading our article on How To Capture Another PC Screen!
All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber. Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988. Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world. He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.
