Question / Help Elgato HD60 Pro Audio Crackle on 1080p

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PhiZero

New Member
Hello,

There's many threads about this on reddit and a couple on this forum (for example this) but no concrete solution.

The issue is as follows:
Using an Elgato HD60 Pro on a 1080p setting, the audio crackles/pops in OBS even when just previewing the output. Recording/streaming is not needed. As soon as the resolution is changed to 720p, the issue is gone. However, when using the Elgato software, no such issue occurs.

Here is an example clip of 1080p60: https://streamable.com/ilbic
And the accompanying log: https://pastebin.com/4aM3qgDn

And here is an example clip of 720p60: https://streamable.com/d8kes
And the accompanying log: https://pastebin.com/DBACPRTN

As can be seen, previewing/streaming/recording in 720p shows none of the issues as opposed to 1080p. And using the Elgato Game Capture software, no audio crackle/pop occurs at all regardless of the resolution.

I've had this issue for months now, and would really like to see this solved. I will happily provide any additional info.
 
RetroWeeb

RetroWeeb

Member
@PhiZero I've had the same problem on the Elgato HD60 S (USB) and Magewell Pro Capture HDMI (PCIe) in OBS on both Windows and Linux (Magewell) and it would even have it happen in the Elgato Game Capture.

Some suggest that this is related to a downsample or upsample problem where it's going from like 32/44khz to 48khz, but I didn't find making those tweaks in the OS or OBS resolve the crackles or studders. (You can set this in OBS>Settings>Audio)

You can see it occur in my videos here (elgato/magewell):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csk_eHpTLoU&feature=youtu.be (29 mark) (Skipping example)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnrolZszknI&feature=youtu.be (29 mark) (Crackling example)

I'm SOL since I'm hardware limited by the cables/console, but since you're on the PS4 you have some options, you could try setting the audio codec on the PS4 to Linear PCM (or something else) and see if that gets you cleaner sound or another HDMI cable to see if there is something wrong with it (crackling or artifacting could be a result of a bad cable, but doesn't explain why it works in the elgato software).

I should note this doesn't happen to me on my Nintendo Switch, so it may very well be audio codec related.

Sorry I couldn't be of much help.
 
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PhiZero

New Member
Hey, thanks for the reply.

I have indeed already tried changing the sample rate from 44Khz to 48Khz and vice versa, but indeed doesn't solve the problems. I just tried changing around the audio codec on the PS4, and that sadly also doesn't do much. Changing cables I have already tried.

I just can't wrap my head around this issue. It worked fine for like 2 months when I first upgraded from the older USB Elgato, and then all of a sudden without any hardware changes after I got this problem. And it's been like this for the whole year with me testing a lot of different things. The fact that it only happens in OBS and in 1080p tells me that there might possibly be an issue with how audio is handled by OBS or something, but I really don't know.
 
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PhiZero

New Member
Last attempt to get some eyes on this.

In the meanwhile, I worked around this issue by utilizing the line out from my monitor (headphone jack) and splitting it to my speakers and line in on PC. Not using Elgato's audio at all. Incredibly stupid there's zero support for this though.
 
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FeuchtVonLipwig

New Member
I have the exact same problem here. As soon as I go 1080p and 60fps both, I get audio crackling with Switch or Ps4 connected. I really wonder how this is such a big problem which was never fixed and the hd60 pro is mentioned as one of the best capture cards still. Changing the audio settings in Windows or OBS also doesn't really do anything. As even the software from elgato is also not updated anymore, it seems like they simply abandoned this device and don't care. Im running a 9700k which should not bottleneck anything.

Steps to reproduce:
  1. Take fresh Windows 10 with all updates
  2. Install all drivers + Game Capture HD (without the virtual sound driver stuff)
  3. Install OBS and start it as admin
  4. Add video capture source and add the game capture from the elgato (not the #01 source)
  5. Connect ps4, switch or another pc to hdmi in of the hd 60 pro and set it to 1080p and allow 60fps
  6. Set the sound playback to Desktop (WaveOut), so you can hear it directly on the computer and how it is also being captured
  7. Now play something on the console with some sound or music and record or stream via OBS
Rip sound, as soon as you go 720p, the sound will be perfectly fine however. I wonder how people who own this product don't run into this problem, or maybe we are doing something wrong?
 
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seymour

New Member
I am having the same issue in both OBS and elgato game capture. The difference is it starts crackling in OBS faster and louder. In preview and while recording. Very loud static when using the elgato HD60 Pro. Anyone find a solution? I have tried so much with no luck. Elgato support is trying and ASUS support is very hard to reach. MoBo = ASUS Strix Z 390 - e Gaming - i7 9700 - 32 gb ddr4 - RTX 2080 Super - Twin SSD's
 
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FreJD

New Member
FeuchtVonLipwig said:
I have the exact same problem here. As soon as I go 1080p and 60fps both, I get audio crackling with Switch or Ps4 connected. I really wonder how this is such a big problem which was never fixed and the hd60 pro is mentioned as one of the best capture cards still. Changing the audio settings in Windows or OBS also doesn't really do anything. As even the software from elgato is also not updated anymore, it seems like they simply abandoned this device and don't care. Im running a 9700k which should not bottleneck anything.

Steps to reproduce:
  1. Take fresh Windows 10 with all updates
  2. Install all drivers + Game Capture HD (without the virtual sound driver stuff)
  3. Install OBS and start it as admin
  4. Add video capture source and add the game capture moviebox pro from the elgato (not the #01 source)
  5. Connect ps4, switch or another pc to hdmi in of the hd 60 pro and set it to 1080p and allow 60fps
  6. Set the sound playback to Desktop (WaveOut), so you can hear it directly on the computer and how it is also being captured
  7. Now play something on the console with some sound or music and record or stream via OBS
Rip sound, as soon as you go 720p, the sound will be perfectly fine however. I wonder how people who own this product don't run into this problem, or maybe we are doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
I have the same issue, I searched youtube to fix it, I'm witing for the solution.
 
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Stevoisiak

New Member
I was able to fix the audio cracking by toggling settings on and off to refresh Elgato's capture.

- Open Game Capture HD
- Click the device settings button
- Under the capture tab, toggle "Convert Standard Definition to 640x480" off and on. (Other settings will work for this too)
- The stream preview should refresh after a second with fixed audio.

Untitled.png
 
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NeoEmc2

New Member
It appears there is more than one solution for this problem, about two or three that I found. Not all of them work for each individual but I have found one that worked for me.

The device that I am using is the El Gato HD60 not the S version. After looking at reddit and the various "fixes" on there and also looking at youtube and trying the fixes on there as well, none of them worked for me.

I then decided to start tinkering with the settings in OBS for El Gato myself. I went into the properties and changed the desktop sound out for El Gato from direct sound to wave out and that immediately got rid of the pops and crackling.

Here's my short video explaining my solution.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be youtu.be
 
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Rynex

New Member
Hey there, I've been having this issue for a long time myself and have solution to provide. As mentioned above in the video, it's important to set the Audio Output Mode to Output desktop audio (WaveOut).

Anyway, here's my suggestion: Try using a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port.

Here's an example of what I was doing before.
This is the back of my motherboard, the B450 Tomahawk MAX. I was using the ports listed in number 3, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Port.

1629247133564.png


This port is capable of sending only 5Gbps.The USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port is however capable of 10Gbps
More information here -
www.kingston.com

What’s the Difference in USB 3.1 Gen 1, Gen 2 and USB 3.2? - Kingston Technology

USB 3.1 Gen 1 supports speeds of up to 5Gbit/s while USB 3.1 Gen 2 supports speeds of up to 10Gbit/s.
www.kingston.com www.kingston.com

Also, whether it makes a difference or not, I'm not sure but i've also updated the firmware to the newest and set the Elgato's transfer mode to Isochronus because it just seems like the better choice.
You can read more about that here. - https://www.beyondlogic.org/usbnutshell/usb4.shtml#Isochronous

You can set the elgato to that in the elgato's Capture HD advanced settings. I believe this is the only way to access these settings, since OBS doesn't appear to have access to it.
1629247747266.png


Anyway, since I've done this, I no longer have any weird sound or audio pops. Hopefully this will work for you also.

Hi dodgepong.
 
I3ordo

I3ordo

Member
it s just NOT "a usb 3.0 or 3.2" issue, i have the hd60 pro, and i prepared everything they asked about like reporter utility etc. support staff from Elgato said my i7 6 core 12 thread @ 4.2ghz CPU is not enough to handle this device, what they are recommending is a 4th gen cpu. I just said " keep that recommendation to your selves"

Anyway here is how this all works on my part. and i got two of these...

my advice: get the heaphone out from the monitor and add it as line in, for dual pc streaming, use voicemmete VBAN feature. that thing works like a dream.

F!!! Elgato!
 
C

cmno

New Member
I3ordo said:
it s just NOT "a usb 3.0 or 3.2" issue, i have the hd60 pro, and i prepared everything they asked about like reporter utility etc. support staff from Elgato said my i7 6 core 12 thread @ 4.2ghz CPU is not enough to handle this device, what they are recommending is a 4th gen cpu. I just said " keep that recommendation to your selves"

Anyway here is how this all works on my part. and i got two of these...

my advice: get the heaphone out from the monitor and add it as line in, for dual pc streaming, use voicemmete VBAN feature. that thing works like a dream.

F!!! Elgato!
Click to expand...

Just bought my ElGato HD60 PRO, having audio stuttering, crackling, scratch sometimes, i didn't save my money to stream something with shit audio.
Then ai found a lot of ppl have the same issue, and whats the solution?.....
There's is a lot of recommendations around, but none of them worked for me. (sent an email to them complaining about it 22/01/2022)

Im using Voice Meeter Banana(that gave headaches too when i decided to understand and set it up, due the same noise issues), so what i did is, stream the image and sound of the software they recommend 4K Capture Utility, since the software sound has no stutter, scratch, crackling, and is sync with image, i just had to expand it on OBS to fit the screen.
I can turn up the tv volume to play with sound sync for me, or, have a lil desync/delaywith the audio on computer, so i can hear twitch notifications.(this probably closer to your advice)
And in the last option is to listen to the crackling audio my self,
which is not on 100% of times, and only send the good one to viewers(Voice Meeter)

So why does the software has clear sound, and when you hear the sound direct from capture card(again, i do i setting on Voice Meeter) is messed up?
I Don´t know, no one knows, probably no one will ever know.

But i think that's it for me, because i think they wont give e any solution to it

I wonder if Avermedia internal capture card works better, or its all the same garbage.

My PC Specs:
  • CPU: i7 7700K 4.2Ghz(~4.5Ghz)
  • RAM: 64Gb Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 2400Mhz CL15 (4x16Gb)
  • GPU: ASUS ROG GTX 1080 Ti Strix OC 11G
  • Mother Board: ASUS MAXIMUS IX CODE
  • PSU: EVGA 850W GQ-210 80 Plus Gold
 
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nitzuhage

New Member
I have this Problem too and thats the PC ever get off, but ist not the PC ist only from the OBS 27.1.3 version, the early version i dont have any Problem, self Win10 new install dont Fix this Problem, This 27.1.3 Version, this update this only for the Stupid Win11, is have all ruine.
Its only if i Stream with the Elgato HD60 Pro, all work other work perfect and early this stupid 27.1.3 Update have also all work
 
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nitzuhage

New Member
nitzuhage said:
I have this Problem too and thats the PC ever get off, but ist not the PC ist only from the OBS 27.1.3 version, the early version i dont have any Problem, self Win10 new install dont Fix this Problem, This 27.1.3 Version, this update this only for the Stupid Win11, is have all ruine.
Its only if i Stream with the Elgato HD60 Pro, all work other work perfect and early this stupid 27.1.3 Update have also all work
Click to expand...
i have now many things try and with the OBS Studio version 26.0.2 i dont have any Problems, so its must OBS Studio 27.1.3 be this make my PC every time down!

i can ony say for all User, dont Use OBS Studio 27.1.3, its better you all still Use OBS Studio 26.0.2, because there work all without Problems!
 
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