Razer Ripsaw Review: What’s So Special about the Razer Ripsaw?

Razer is well known for their high quality PC gaming accessories: keyboards, mice, headsets, and more. Razer took a step into streaming last year with its video capture device named Razer Ripsaw. But does the Ripsaw live up to the high quality of their other products?

Razer Ripsaw capture card review

Here's the review video:

1 High Definition 1080p Capture at 60 Frames per Second

Streaming to an online audience has never felt more life-like. The Razer Ripsaw can stream to many popular streaming platforms at 1080p and up to 60 frames per second, using a USB 3.0 interface.

2 Ultra-low Latency Over USB 3.0

The USB 3.0 interface works wonders for limiting latency. If you’re trying to play directly from your streaming software, some faster paced games like shooters and action games might see a bit of noticeable lag, but lag is barely noticed in slow paced games like puzzles or RPGs. Most streamers, however, connect to a TV as well, and this shouldn’t present any problem.

3 Professional Grade Second Audio Mix-in

The Razer Ripsaw allows a gamer to plug in a music source or microphone, so in addition to any music or other sound coming from the game itself, viewers can hear gamer commentary, or perhaps the perfect companion music track.

4 Support for Next and Last Generation Consoles

The Ripsaw comes with any cords a gamer might need to be able to play with PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Playstation 4, Playstation 3, WiiU, retro consoles, or even Razer’s own Forge TV.

5 Compatible with Popular Streaming Services

This device was design to work with many popular casting software like Open Broadcaster Software, XSplit, and Razer’s Cortex Gamecaster. Purchase of the device also entitles the user to a lifetime license for Razer Corter: Gamecaster Pro.

6 Technical Stuff

The Razer Ripsaw is compatible with Windows 7 or newer, and is powered by USB 3.0. In order to use the Ripsaw, you will need a desktop computer with an Intel Core i5 CPU or above, or a laptop with an Intel Core i7. You will need an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or greater on a desktop, or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX870M or greater on a laptop. Razer Ripsaw recommends 8GB of memory, but it will work with 4GB or more.

The Ripsaw supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i, 480p, and 480i. It can achieve a maximum capture resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second uncompressed.

Included in the box is the Ripsaw, a USB 3.0 cable, an HDMI cable, a component AV cable, a component AV multi cable, a 3.5 mm audio cable, and the product information guide.

How to Setup

Setup of the Ripsaw is extremely easy. Simply do the following:

For Consoles with HDMI output:

1. Connect an HDMI cable to the console.
2. Connect the other end of that cable to the HDMI input port of the Ripsaw.
3. Connect another HDMI cable to you television.
4. Connect the other end of that cable to the HDMI output port of the Ripsaw.
5. Use the included USB 3.0 cable to connect the Ripsaw to your Windows PC.
6. If everything is plugged in properly, the LED on the Ripsaw will light up.

If this is your first time using a Razer Ripsaw peripheral on that PC, you will be prompted to download Razer’s Synapse Software, which includes the required drivers. If you already have Synapse, you will be prompted to update it for compatibility with the Ripsaw.

For Retro Consoles:

1. Attach the Component AV cable to the consoles component video cable.
2. Follow steps 3-7 above.

For PlayStation 3:

1. Attach the Component AV multi cable to the Ripsaw and the PlayStation 3.
2. Follow steps 3-7 above.

Consoles that are not component AV capable will not be able to be used with the Razer Ripsaw without further modification.

Conclusion

The Razer Ripsaw, through its use of USB 3.0 is the most capable video game capture device currently on the market. The low latency cannot, and will not be beaten until capture devices that utilize USB-C start to be released. The Ripsaw will never be the reason your streams experience lag or other issues. The only downside to this device is that it lacks its own capture software, but Razer Ripsaw has that covered, and most broadcasters choose to use other programs anyway. This device has flawlessly executed component video support and audio mixing capabilities, putting it among the best capture devices out at this time.