Streaming specialist Elgato has announced a control surface dubbed the Stream Deck, designed primarily to give game streamers one-button access to various software features via customizable buttons fitted with an LCD display.
Clearly taking inspiration from the Art Lebedev Optimus family of OLED-equipped keyboards, the Elgato Stream Deck sits somewhere between the three-button Optimus variant and the full-size keyboard version. The Stream Deck, designed for desktop use, has 15 buttons arranged in three rows of five with a dedicated LCD display behind each. The result: In addition to providing shortcuts to commonly used tasks and macros – up to 210, according to Elgato, if you use the subdirectory feature – the device is able to change its layout under software control.
Unsurprisingly, Elgato focuses on game streamers. The Deck comes with dedicated control software for Windows and macOS, designed to connect to popular streaming platforms and packages, including Amazon’s Twitch and Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). Social media functionality is also included, along with the ability to trigger macros that alter the outgoing flow, such as showing an overlay at the press of a button.
The Stream Deck measures 118mm x 84mm x 21mm and includes a simple adjustable stand if you want to run it at a steeper angle than the default. The device is fully bus-powered via a three-foot-long USB cable and is expected to launch in May for the US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $ 149.95 (around £ 120 plus tax). More information is available on the company’s official product page.
