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The rise of streaming and the increasing demand for high-quality content have fueled the development of numerous tools and devices designed to enhance audio and video production. These products aim to simplify tasks and provide efficient recording solutions for streamers. However, their utility extends far beyond streaming, catering to a wider audience with needs such as video conferencing, task automation, and enhanced gaming experiences.

Recognizing this market demand, Elgato has introduced the Elgato Neo ecosystem, comprising five new products. Building upon their best-selling devices, Elgato has crafted user-friendly, portable, and affordable tools geared towards a broader consumer base. This article explores the features of the Elgato Neo ecosystem and compares it to Elgato’s established professional-grade equipment.

A Fresh Approach to Content Creation

alt text: Elgato Neo product lineup showcasing the white color scheme and packaging

The Elgato Neo ecosystem immediately distinguishes itself with its white color palette, a stark contrast to Elgato’s traditional black. This visual differentiation separates the professional black line from the more accessible white Neo line. The packaging also reflects this new direction, utilizing eco-friendly, recyclable materials and a simplified “pull-to-open” design. While this minimalist approach means fewer accessories compared to the professional line, the Neo products include everything necessary for essential tasks. This review focuses on four key components of the Elgato Neo ecosystem: the Wave Neo microphone, the Key Light Neo, the Game Capture Neo, and the Stream Deck Neo.

Stream Deck Neo: Command Central

alt text: Close-up of the Stream Deck Neo showing the LCD buttons and touch navigation

The Stream Deck Neo, the centerpiece of the ecosystem, boasts eight customizable LCD buttons. A significant upgrade from the Stream Deck and Stream Deck Mini, it features a new mini-display and two touch-sensitive page navigation buttons, expanding customization possibilities. The Stream Deck’s core functionality lies in its programmable buttons, enabling users to execute various tasks. These range from simple actions like opening applications and adjusting volume to more complex functions such as automated meeting joins, scene transitions for streams, and application-specific shortcuts.

The Stream Deck Neo offers user-friendly refinements for a broader audience. These include seamless integration with popular applications through pre-configured buttons and pages, a mini-display showing the current page, running applications, and the time, and a foldable design for portability and laptop use.

Wave Neo: Crystal-Clear Audio Simplified

alt text: Elgato Wave Neo microphone with its stand and adjustable height

The Wave Neo, a straightforward USB microphone within the Elgato Neo lineup, features adjustable height settings, boom arm compatibility, and plug-and-play functionality. Beyond its simplicity, the Wave Neo offers cross-device compatibility with PCs, Macs, mobile devices (iPhone, iPad), and even the PlayStation 5. It also includes a touch-sensitive mute button with an LED status indicator, an integrated headphone jack, and interchangeable pop filters in various colors. The Wave Neo delivers professional-grade audio in a compact package. Further customization is available through the Elgato Link app, allowing users to mix audio streams and apply effects via Stream Deck shortcuts.

Key Light Neo: Illuminating Your Content

alt text: Elgato Key Light Neo attached to a monitor, providing illumination for video

Enhancing visual quality, the Key Light Neo is a compact lighting solution designed to attach to monitors or tablets. It provides clear, consistent illumination for cameras, even in low-light environments. The Key Light Neo offers 800 lumens of brightness with adjustable color temperature, controlled via a front dial or two programmable preset buttons. It also supports wireless control through desktop and mobile apps, Stream Deck integration, and connects via USB-A.

Game Capture Neo: Capturing Your Gameplay

alt text: Elgato Game Capture Neo device for recording gameplay

The Game Capture Neo caters to console gamers, supporting PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It captures gameplay at 1080p 60 FPS with HDR pass-through up to 4K 60 FPS. A key strength is its software compatibility, working seamlessly with OBS Studio, Discord, and other popular streaming software out-of-the-box. The Game Capture Neo also allows simultaneous gameplay and recording on iPads via USB-C using supported apps.

Conclusion: Accessible and Versatile Content Creation

The Elgato Neo ecosystem offers a complete suite of tools for content creation. Each Neo product functions independently, catering to various needs beyond streaming. Elgato has successfully targeted a wider audience with these versatile and affordable devices, removing limitations in location and hardware requirements. The Elgato Neo empowers users of all levels to elevate their content creation endeavors.