The FIFINE AmpliGame V3 breaks price barriers for the very limited and competitive capture card segment meant for budding streamers and gamers. It costs half of the typical options out there, so it can be considered part of a starter setup. It’s limited to a 1080p 60Hz output, but we think that it’s typically sufficient for most users and their viewers.
FIFINE AmpliGame V3 Tale of the Tape
The FIFINE AmpliGame V3 has simplified packaging, and we assume that it helps with the savings that it presents. Opening the package reveals the nicely protected unit, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a simple, quick start guide that tells you about the inputs and basic functions. Seasoned streamers will know what to do with this device, but beginners might benefit from a more detailed instruction guide.
The card is surprisingly very well built with a nice rubberized texture finish and solid overall structure. There are no major gaps or signs of weakness, so it shouldn’t crack or bust open with moderate force. The bottom side has air vents which help manage the internal board’s temp while it’s crunching those frames.
The two sides of the FIFINE AmpliGame V3 has several slots which have different and specific functions. One side considered as the output port has an HDMI and USB-C, along with a button for the RGB LED strip. The USB-C port goes to your capturing PC while the HDMI out caters to a monitor if you want to see the transmitting video.
The other side has an HDMI input slot that connects to a source device like your gaming console, a 3.5mm line for auxiliary devices like a mobile phone, and a dedicated headset output slot to monitor sound from the signal source. Its fairly easy to setup on the physical side, so beginners should have no trouble at all with this model.
The FIFINE AmpliGame V3 has indicator lights on the output side to let you know what it’s doing. A green light means that it’s receiving power, a blue light signifies that it’s actively capturing video, and a yellow indicator means that copyright protection is blocking the device from capturing your input. It’s important to know these three statuses so you don’t get interrupted in the middle of a streaming or recording session.
FIFINE AmpliGame V3 Performance
The FIFINE AmpliGame V3’s capture output is limited to 1080p at 60Hz, so it may seem unimpressive, but that’s still the standard output for most streams. Higher resolution outputs are desirable, but the varying bandwidths between the streamer and viewers will adversely affect the experience at times. It’s not very sharp, but that’s a limitation of the resolution itself, not the hardware.
It’s plug-and-play with most modern devices and computers, so there should be no trouble for most users. You do have to make sure of the settings in some programs like OBS before you go live since this model will require manual manipulation. After that, it works flawlessly with any HDMI Out-equipped device, so you should be able to start your streaming or content creation right away.
The FIFINE AmpliGame V3’s output is smooth with clear sound using the PS5 and Nintendo Switch and their respective HDMI cables. There are some minor stutters, but that’s more from the latency between the video input and output. The audio for the capture is completely synced with the video and is streaming at 200 to 250 kbps smoothly.
The FIFINE AmpliGame V3 does have limitations, such as its incompatibility with HDR signals and special audio implementations like Dolby Digital or surround sound. The HDMI port for monitors is also limited to 4K 30Hz, so it might not put out an appreciable 4K image on a monitor with that resolution.
We knew these limitations from the get-go since the FIFINE AmpliGame V3 is an entry-level capture card. It’s mid-tier at best, and typically, the special features that it cannot do are only found with capture cards that cost north of $200. This is great for starting your streaming setup, especially when you are building from the ground u,p so more of your money can go to other important hardware pieces.
But the most important aspect of all is that there is no detrimental latency between the source device, the card itself, and your capturing device. Video and audio flow smoothly compared to the barebones USB capture cards that you can buy for twenty bucks or so.
Is the FIFINE AmpliGame V3 Worth It?
The FIFINE AmpliGame V3 is a fine choice for streamers who want optimal performance at a very low price. It’s built quite well and is functional, so it should satisfy your requirements for streaming or content creation. We like the fact that it’s equipped with all the necessary ports for operation, as opposed to a cheap capture card that is essentially a one-way adapter.
Its MSRP is unbelievably good for what it is, and we don’t recommend going cheaper since the devices under that price category cannot compare. The FIFINE AmpliGame V3 is absolutely worth every penny, and you’d have to spend more than twice to find something better.
About the Author: Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
Leave a Reply