Screen Recorders and recording from consoles.

[Skyblade]

OBS is a common free download starting point for screen capture. Built for streaming and recording, it was what I used when I first started out. X-Split is a closed source recording/broadcasting software, with greater capability and a free version. But they also have a paid subscription service (or lifetime subscription for currently only $200, which I'm actually considering getting, since currently I'm on a one-year subscription which came with my video card when I built my new computer) that unlocks several of the more versatile and powerful features.

As for capture devices, AverMedia makes some quite good ones, with the AverMedia Live Gamer Portable being one of the most unique, as it allows you to record game video and audio even away from your computer (though it only records microphone input as well when connected to your PC), but Elgato has become the most popular recently. I myself use an Elgato HD60 Pro, which is an internal card that connects to a PCIe slot. They also have external ones which connect to your computer with a USB card, like the HD60S.

A separate piece of hardware is needed, because your computer likely does not have a method of accepting audio/video input. Most video cards will have output methods (many these days will even have multiple output ports), but accepting video input is not typically supported.

Capture Devices are essentially a branching throughput. They take the output of your console, and broadcast it through a USB or other connection to your PC, while simultaneously sending it through another connection to your TV. Each of them also will come with a program to translate the signal your computer gets into something that you can see on your PC. Most of them will also include streaming or recording functionality built-in, or you can use screen capture or application capture to record them through other recording/broadcasting software (such as OBS or X-Split).

Most of the software used these days handles both recording and streaming, and will accept game audio and video, as well as microphone input for commentary.