The complete Magewell Eco Capture M.2 range compared — all 7 cards across HDMI, SDI, 4K and multi-channel variants. Broadcast-grade PCIe capture in M.2 form factor for NUC mini PCs, lecture capture appliances and compact medical imaging workstations. Full spec tables, SVG diagrams and use-case verdicts.
HDMI + 3G-SDI + composite analogue from one M.2 slot. The only M.2 card accepting all three signal formats simultaneously. Lecture theatres with mixed legacy and modern sources. £230 ex-VAT.
Two HDMI channels in one M.2 slot — camera + slides simultaneously in a NUC PC. The standard spec for Panopto NUC lecture capture appliances in UK universities. £290 ex-VAT.
Single-channel 4K HDMI 2.0 capture in M.2 form factor. For 4K surgical cameras, 4K medical imaging and 4K lecture cameras in compact workstations. £310 ex-VAT.
Four 3G-SDI channels from one M.2 slot. Maximum SDI channel density in compact form factor — for 4-camera lecture theatres and mini broadcast ingest servers. £430 ex-VAT.
12G-SDI 4K60 on a single BNC cable in M.2 form factor. For ARRI, Sony and Canon 4K broadcast cameras in compact ingest workstations where a full PCIe slot is unavailable. £570 ex-VAT.
Two 3G-SDI channels in one M.2 slot. Two SDI cameras captured simultaneously in a compact NUC workstation — dual-camera lecture, dual-camera medical. £310 ex-VAT.
Broadcast-grade PCIe video capture in the same slot as your NVMe SSD — built for compact systems where a full PCIe slot isn't available.
An M.2 capture card installs directly into an M.2 M-key slot — the compact connector found on almost every modern motherboard, NUC mini PC and embedded system, normally used for NVMe SSDs. Magewell Eco Capture M.2 cards use the PCIe lanes within the M.2 slot to deliver the same broadcast-grade capture quality as full-size PCIe cards, without requiring a PCIe expansion slot.
This makes them the correct choice for compact, fanless NUC-style lecture capture appliances (running Panopto, Kaltura or Echo360), compact medical imaging recording workstations, embedded broadcast ingest systems and any scenario where a small physical footprint is essential but professional capture quality cannot be compromised.
⚠️ Important — M.2 PCIe ≠ M.2 NVMe storage: Magewell Eco Capture M.2 cards use PCIe protocol via the M.2 connector — they are not NVMe storage devices and will not conflict with or replace your NVMe SSD. However, your system needs an M.2 M-key slot with available PCIe x4 lanes separate from your primary NVMe SSD slot. Check your motherboard or NUC system specification before purchasing — not all M.2 slots provide PCIe x4 lanes.
Fig 1. Choosing the right capture form factor. M.2 is the correct choice for compact NUC PCs and embedded systems. PCIe is correct for high-channel-count desktop workstations and servers. USB is correct for laptops and portable use.
Fig 2. Typical NUC lecture capture appliance deployment. The NUC runs Ubuntu Server headlessly — no monitor, keyboard or GUI. The Eco Capture Dual HDMI M.2 captures camera and presenter slides simultaneously. Panopto Remote Recorder publishes automatically to the LMS. The entire appliance is approximately the size of a book and can be hidden in any AV rack.
Fig 3. Eco Capture Quad SDI M.2 — four 3G-SDI cameras captured simultaneously from a single M.2 slot. All four streams can be recorded, previewed as a multiviewer, published to Panopto and streamed to YouTube Live at the same time from one compact mini PC.
Full Specification Comparison
All 7 Magewell Eco Capture M.2 cards — scroll right on smaller screens · ✓ = yes · — = no
† All Eco Capture M.2 cards use M.2 M-key PCIe x4 form factor (2280 — 22mm × 80mm). · All are compatible with Windows 10/11, Linux V4L2 and macOS. · Free Magewell capture plugin available for Adobe Premiere Pro capture panel integration. · None of the Eco Capture M.2 cards include a genlock BNC input — for genlock, use Magewell Pro Capture HDMI/SDI 4K Plus PCIe cards instead.
Signal & Feature Guide — Choosing the Right M.2 Card
Key specifications explained to help you select the correct Eco Capture M.2 variant.
AIO (All-in-One) input
The AIO M.2 accepts HDMI, 3G-SDI and composite (CVBS) simultaneously from one M.2 slot. Only one source is captured at a time — you select which input is active. Use when the source signal type varies (some rooms have HDMI cameras, some SDI, some legacy analogue).
AIO M.2 only
Dual channel (HDMI or SDI)
Dual HDMI and Dual SDI M.2 cards capture two independent channels simultaneously — camera and slides, or two camera angles. Both channels run concurrently at full 1080p60 from one M.2 slot. Critical for standard lecture capture (camera + presenter display).
2 channels · 1 slot
Quad SDI — 4 channels
Four 3G-SDI channels simultaneously from one M.2 slot. The maximum channel density available in M.2 form factor. Correct for 4-camera lecture theatres, multi-angle medical recording and compact mini broadcast ingest servers.
4 channels · 1 slot
HDMI 2.0 (4K60)
Eco Capture HDMI 4K M.2 is the only M.2 card in the range with HDMI 2.0 input, enabling 4K60 capture. For 4K surgical cameras (Storz 4K, Olympus 4K), 4K lecture cameras and 4K medical imaging in compact workstations.
HDMI 4K M.2 only
3G-SDI
Supports up to 1080p60 on a single BNC coaxial cable. The broadcast standard for HD cameras. Used by Eco Capture AIO, Dual SDI and Quad SDI M.2. For broadcast cameras, endoscopy towers and legacy SDI medical equipment in compact systems.
AIO · Dual SDI · Quad SDI
6G-SDI
5.94 Gbps supporting 4K30 on a single BNC cable. Eco Capture SDI 4K Plus M.2 accepts 6G-SDI for single-cable 4K30 ingest. For broadcast cameras outputting 6G-SDI where 4K at 30fps is required in a compact system.
SDI 4K Plus M.2 only
12G-SDI
11.88 Gbps supporting full 4K60 on a single BNC coaxial cable. Eco Capture 12G SDI 4K Plus M.2 is the only M.2 card accepting 12G-SDI — the current broadcast standard for ARRI, Sony Venice and Canon C700 at 4K60.
12G SDI 4K Plus M.2 only
Composite / CVBS
Analogue standard definition (PAL 576i or NTSC 480i) via RCA or BNC. Available on the AIO M.2 alongside HDMI and SDI inputs. For legacy analogue cameras, older endoscopes and analogue medical imaging systems in facilities migrating to digital.
AIO M.2 only
Linux V4L2
All Eco Capture M.2 cards are V4L2 (Video4Linux2) compatible — recognised by Linux kernels automatically without proprietary driver compilation. Enables headless lecture capture NUC appliances running Ubuntu Server, Panopto Remote Recorder and Kaltura Capture without a graphical interface.
All models · Linux
DirectShow (Windows)
All Eco Capture M.2 cards register as DirectShow capture sources on Windows — compatible with OBS, vMix, Wirecast, Adobe Premiere and all Windows video applications. The free Magewell capture plugin enables direct capture panel integration in Adobe Premiere Pro.
All models · Windows
Core Media / AVFoundation
All Eco Capture M.2 cards appear as capture sources in macOS applications via Core Media framework — compatible with OBS (macOS), DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro and Wirecast on macOS. M.2 slot availability on Mac systems is limited — verify slot specification before purchase.
All models · macOS
M.2 M-key PCIe x4 (2280)
Physical specification: M.2 M-key connector, PCIe x4 protocol, 22mm × 80mm (Type 2280) form factor. Installs in M.2 M-key slots that have PCIe x4 lane availability — check system specifications. Cannot use SATA-only M.2 slots or M.2 A/E-key slots.
Physical connector
💡 No genlock on any M.2 card: None of the Eco Capture M.2 range includes a genlock BNC reference input. For live production switching requiring frame-synchronised cameras, use Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus or SDI 4K Plus PCIe cards which include genlock BNC. M.2 cards are designed for recording and ingest workflows where frame-perfect synchronisation between sources is not required at the hardware level.
Platform & Software Compatibility
Eco Capture M.2 cards feed into production and NLE software which then outputs to streaming platforms and learning management systems.
Streaming & content platforms (via OBS, vMix or encoder software)
YouTubeOBS / vMix
TwitchOBS / vMix
FacebookOBS / vMix
LinkedInOBS / vMix
Lecture capture & LMS platforms (primary use case for M.2 cards)
PanoptoV4L2 / DS
KalturaV4L2 / DS
ZoomVia vCam
TeamsVia vCam
Production & NLE software
OBS StudioFree
vMixPaid
WirecastPaid
DaVinci ResolveFree/Paid
Adobe PremierePaid
Final Cut ProMac only
Avid Media CompPaid
Product Deep-Dives
All 7 Eco Capture M.2 cards with specifications, ideal use cases and links.
Magewell Eco Capture M.2
Eco Capture AIO M.2
£230 ex-VAT
InputsHDMI + SDI + CVBS
Max res.1080p60
Channels1 (select input)
Linux V4L2Yes
GenlockNo
Ideal for: The only M.2 card accepting HDMI, 3G-SDI and composite analogue from a single slot. For facilities with mixed legacy and modern sources — lecture theatres with a mix of camera types, medical estates during digital migration, and any compact system needing to capture from different signal formats without changing the installed card.
Ideal for: The standard lecture capture NUC specification — camera (Channel 1) and presenter display (Channel 2) captured simultaneously to Panopto or Kaltura. Two full 1080p60 channels from one M.2 slot in a compact, fanless NUC PC running Ubuntu Server headlessly.
Ideal for: 4K HDMI 2.0 capture in M.2 form factor. For 4K surgical cameras (Storz IMAGE1 S4, Olympus VISERA 4K), 4K lecture cameras and 4K cinema cameras in compact medical and educational workstations where a full PCIe slot is unavailable.
Ideal for: Two 3G-SDI channels simultaneously in M.2 form factor. For compact systems ingesting two SDI broadcast cameras — dual-angle medical recording, two-camera lecture capture with SDI cameras, or dual-camera sports analysis in a compact ingest workstation.
Ideal for: Four 3G-SDI channels simultaneously from one M.2 slot — the maximum channel density available in M.2 form factor. For 4-camera lecture theatres (wide, close-up, overhead, presenter), multi-angle surgical recording and compact broadcast mini ingest servers.
Ideal for: 6G-SDI 4K30 in M.2 form factor. For broadcast cameras outputting 6G-SDI where single-cable 4K30 ingest is required in a compact system. An intermediate step between 3G-SDI 1080p and 12G-SDI 4K60 — suitable where 4K30 is sufficient.
Ideal for: The flagship Eco Capture M.2 — 12G-SDI 4K60 in M.2 form factor. For ARRI Alexa, Sony VENICE and Canon EOS C700 in compact ingest workstations where a full PCIe slot is not available. Single BNC cable 4K60 from the most demanding broadcast cameras in the smallest possible host system.
Clear recommendations matched to common compact capture deployments.
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Lecture capture NUC (camera + slides)
Eco Capture Dual HDMI M.2 (£290)
Two HDMI 1080p60 channels simultaneously. Camera on Channel 1, presenter display on Channel 2. The standard university NUC lecture capture specification — runs headlessly with Panopto Remote Recorder on Ubuntu Server.
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4-camera lecture theatre
Eco Capture Quad SDI M.2 (£430)
Four 3G-SDI channels simultaneously from one M.2 slot. Wide, close-up, overhead and presenter all captured simultaneously. Maximum SDI channel density in M.2 form factor.
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4K surgical camera in compact workstation
Eco Capture HDMI 4K M.2 (£310)
HDMI 2.0 4K60 in M.2 form factor. For Storz IMAGE1 S4, Olympus VISERA 4K and similar 4K surgical cameras requiring 4K60 capture in a compact, quiet workstation at the operating table.
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12G-SDI 4K broadcast camera (compact)
Eco Capture 12G SDI 4K Plus M.2 (£570)
12G-SDI 4K60 on a single BNC in M.2 form factor. For ARRI, Sony Venice and Canon C700 in mini ingest workstations where a full PCIe expansion slot is not physically available.
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Mixed HDMI + SDI + analogue signals
Eco Capture AIO M.2 (£230)
The only M.2 card accepting HDMI, 3G-SDI and composite analogue from one slot. For mixed-format clinical estates and facilities with a variety of camera types in one compact system.
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Two SDI cameras in compact system
Eco Capture Dual SDI M.2 (£310)
Two 3G-SDI channels simultaneously in M.2 form factor. For dual-angle medical recording, two-camera lecture capture with SDI cameras, and compact dual-camera broadcast ingest.
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Need more than 4 channels
Switch to PCIe — Magewell Pro Capture Quad SDI
The maximum M.2 channel count is 4 (Quad SDI M.2 in one slot). For higher channel counts, use a standard desktop with Pro Capture Quad SDI PCIe cards — up to 16 SDI channels in a 4-slot workstation.
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Ubuntu Server headless lecture capture
Dual HDMI M.2 or Quad SDI M.2 + Linux V4L2
All Eco Capture M.2 cards are V4L2 compatible. Run Ubuntu Server without a GUI — NUC captures reliably for months without rebooting. Panopto Remote Recorder and Kaltura Capture both support V4L2 on Linux.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an M.2 capture card?
An M.2 capture card is a professional video capture card in M.2 form factor — the same small slot used for NVMe SSDs. Magewell Eco Capture M.2 cards install into the M.2 M-key slot of a NUC mini PC, compact workstation or any system with an available M.2 PCIe x4 slot, delivering the same broadcast-grade capture quality as full-size PCIe cards in a significantly smaller form factor.
Will this conflict with my NVMe SSD?
Eco Capture M.2 cards require a separate M.2 M-key slot with PCIe x4 lanes — they cannot share a slot with your NVMe SSD. Most systems have only one M.2 slot for storage. Check your motherboard or NUC specification for a second M.2 slot with PCIe x4 availability. NUC systems designed for lecture capture appliances typically have this.
Do Eco Capture M.2 cards work on Linux?
Yes — all Eco Capture M.2 cards support Linux V4L2 automatically, without proprietary driver compilation. This is their primary advantage for lecture capture NUC appliances running Ubuntu Server — they capture reliably without a GUI or OS restarts for months.
What is the difference between SDI 4K Plus M.2 and 12G SDI 4K Plus M.2?
SDI 4K Plus M.2 supports 6G-SDI — 4K at 30fps maximum on a single BNC cable. 12G SDI 4K Plus M.2 supports 12G-SDI — full 4K at 60fps on a single BNC cable. If your 4K camera outputs 12G-SDI and you need 4K60 capture, specify the 12G model. For 4K30 or cameras with 6G-SDI output, the SDI 4K Plus M.2 is sufficient.
Can I use multiple M.2 cards in one system?
Most NUC-style mini PCs have only one M.2 slot available for expansion — limiting you to one Eco Capture M.2 card. The Quad SDI M.2 provides 4 channels from that one slot. For higher channel counts, use a standard desktop workstation with Pro Capture PCIe cards.
Do M.2 capture cards have genlock?
No — none of the Eco Capture M.2 range includes a genlock BNC input. Genlock is available on Magewell Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus and SDI 4K Plus PCIe cards. M.2 cards are designed for recording and ingest workflows where hardware frame synchronisation between cameras is not required.
Specifying a compact lecture capture or medical imaging system?
Our technical team can advise on NUC system specifications, M.2 slot compatibility and Linux configuration for Panopto, Kaltura and Echo360 lecture capture deployments.
Disclaimer: Specifications, pricing and availability correct at time of publication (June 2026) and subject to change. M.2 slot compatibility depends on the host system motherboard — verify that a separate M.2 M-key slot with PCIe x4 lane availability exists beyond any NVMe SSD slot before purchasing. Storage write speed requirements for multi-channel uncompressed capture: 1080p60 requires approximately 250 MB/s per channel — verify your NVMe SSD or storage array write speed before deploying multi-channel ingest. Panopto, Kaltura and Echo360 compatibility via V4L2 on Linux requires the capture application to support V4L2 input — verify current supported platform versions with your lecture capture software vendor. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. nuuo.co.uk is a trading name of iView Data Ltd, Leicester, UK.
