First look at RODE’s first video capture device: The Streamer X

Rode has expanded from audio into video with their first-ever video capture device. It’s called the Streamer X (buy here), and comes from Rode’s streaming and gaming subbrand, Rode X. It offers up to 4K 30fps or 2K 60fps streaming with up to 4K 60fps and 2K 120fps passthrough and is designed to cover a wide range of uses, including streaming and gaming, podcasting, content creation, and even business presentations.

It features three USB-C connections (one is just for power), with four Smart Pads for custom on-the-fly triggering of sound, voice FX or other actions. It’s also compatible with Rode’s software, including Unify, Rode Central and Rode Connect. We sat down with Rode Product Director Ryan Burke at NAB 2023 to learn more.

Rode Streamer X – Ultimate all-in-one streaming solution

Rode bills the Streamer X as “the ultimate all-in-one streaming solution”, and looking at the on-paper specs, it might just be. As well as offering both HDMI input and output, it offers a TRS/XLR combi jack, letting you use either mic or line level inputs, with phantom power if necessary, through a Rode Revolution preamp. Rode’s Revolution preamps are extremely quiet and should allow you to hook up just about any dynamic microphone with virtually no noise. And it should be able to do it without needing something like a Cloudlifter.

You can also go into headset mode by using something like the Rode NTH-100M headset (buy here). It’ll even talk to some wireless mics, including the popular Rode Wireless GO II (buy here) and the recently released Rode Wireless ME (buy here). The ability to directly connect a wireless microphone transmitter will be very valuable for those who like to walk or move around a lot while they talk.

The array of knobs and buttons on the left of the Streamer X allows you to adjust microphone and headphone levels or mute audio and video entirely. The four pads on the side of the Streamer X work similarly to those found on the Rode ProCaster II, allowing you to either trigger sounds during your stream or run actions on your computer.

Prioritising Audio

While there are a number of units out there that allow the capture and streaming of audio and video, most of them tend to favour the video side of things, with audio as an afterthought. This is the first device I’ve seen capable of both audio and video capture that actually seems to prioritise the audio. I can’t think of another with an XLR/TRS combi jack or even just a regular XLR socket. To use shotgun microphones or large diaphragm condenser microphones with most video capture devices, you need to pull in your audio separately through either a mixer or USB audio interface.

No such need with the Streamer X. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come from Rode. We have no insights here at DIYP as to whether or not it’s the direction in which Rode is heading. We did ask them. However as you can see in the video, Ryan wasn’t willing to let anything slip! But it would be great to see a larger all-in-one solution one day. Something that offers everything the Rode ProCaster II does but with several HDMI capture inputs and video switching capabilities.

Rode Streamer X Specs

Form Factor	Desktop
Display	None
I/O Channels	2 Input, 2 Output
Built-in DSP	None
Max sampling rate	48kHz / 24Bit
Preamps	1x Rode Revolution
Built-in Mic	None
Expansion slots	None
Analogue Audio I/O	1 x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Mic/Line Input 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRRS Headset In/Out 1 x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
Digital Audio I/O	Wireless connection to Rode Wireless GO II and Wireless ME Tx
Host connection	2x USB-C
Host protocol	USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Gen 1
Other I/O	1x HDMI input, 1x HDMI passthrough output
OS Compatibility	Windows & macOS

Price and Availability

The Rode Streamer X is available to pre-order now for $399. Shipping is expected to begin in May.

DIYP’s coverage of NAB 2023 is sponsored by Sennheiser, Zhiyun, B&H, and SmallRig.