I'm trying to figure out how to stream my Nintendo Switch screen on Discord, and I could really use some guidance! I've spoken to a tech support assistant before, but he seemed confused about what I wanted. To make it simple, here's what I need help with:
- I want to stream my Switch so my friends can watch while I play.
- I already have a second monitor, but I want to know how to use it for streaming.
- I understand I need a capture card to do this.
- I have a PC with several open ports on the motherboard that I'm not sure about.
- The Switch has only a USB slot free, and my monitor is using a DP slot.
Could you let me know what materials I need—like whether getting a capture card is essential—and the best way to set everything up? If it's not possible to do this without my PC, I'd love to understand that too. Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
I've got a setup similar to what you're describing! Here’s what you’ll need:
- An HDMI 2-way splitter
- An HDMI to USB capture card
- Some HDMI cables
To set it up, connect the Switch dock's HDMI output to the splitter's input. Then, use one of the splitter's outputs (I recommend output 2) to connect to the USB capture card on your computer. The other output goes to your monitor. Once that’s done, your computer should recognize it as a USB Webcam, so you can share that in Discord! Just a heads up, the streaming might come through at around 30 FPS, which can look a bit off.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for clarifying! I really appreciate the detailed explanation.
Most capture cards will have an HDMI passthrough. Just connect your Switch to the HDMI input on the capture card, and then connect the HDMI output from that to your monitor. From there, plug the USB into your PC. That’s pretty much it!
I’d recommend checking out the Elgato Game Capture Neo—it’s a bit pricier, but it's reliable and can handle 1080p60 streaming.
This is a great guide! I was thinking of doing something similar, and you've broken it down well.