Switch on PC
Solvedjumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date Status Membre Last intervention -
Hello,
A little context to start: I recently moved and in my new place, I don't have a TV yet. However, I own a Nintendo Switch and a laptop. I wanted to know if it's possible to connect the Switch to my computer?
I did some research before but I can't find out how to do it. I've been told about capture cards or something like that. Except that... I don't have one, I don't really know what it is, and I probably won't be able to get one anytime soon.
Is there a way for me to solve this problem? A way to bypass the use of some kind of box?
Besides the comfort of having a slightly larger screen than the console itself, in the future, I would like to be able to share my screen (via Discord or something) with friends while I play. If it's not possible right away, I can manage without it. I mainly just want to play on a bigger screen for starters.
As for cables, I don't have a ton, but I do have HDMI to HDMI cables, I have a kind of HDMI to USB-C adapter, and maybe some others if I look around a bit.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot! ^^
5 answers
Hello,
with a capture card it should work, basically you capture the output video from your Switch on Windows, then you retrieve it with software, I suppose this is done with OBS or the software from the capture card. You don't display it directly on your screen (that's not possible).
you can try to gather information by searching for "streaming your Switch."
It seems to me that one of the most used brands is Elgato. Then you should be able to find smaller cards that may be sufficient.
Thank you for your response, Jumulka.
However, I would have liked a solution that does not require the use of a capture box. Is there not a "more direct" method to get the Switch image on my PC? When I inquired, I saw that everyone was talking about this Elgato thing, but it confronts me with several problems.
The first being that I don't have this famous box, and I don't really know where to get one.
The second is regarding my understanding. I don't understand what this capture device or card is, nor how to use it. Especially if it's not from the Elgato brand. Already, when I do my research, one time I'm told about a "box" and another time about a "card." What is the difference between the two? How can I recognize the product I need? Even on Google Images, I feel like I'm not dealing with the same product depending on the site or brand from which the image comes.
The third is in terms of finances. Everywhere I look, I am recommended to use Elgato. But to be honest, their product, although affordable I'm sure, remains slightly too expensive for me to purchase right now. So, if I really need to buy additional equipment, I would like to find something cheaper. And due to my points #1 and #2, I really don't understand what to buy if it's not Elgato.
I think I understand somewhat why I cannot simply connect the HDMI from my Switch to my computer, as I would for a second screen. But I was wondering if there was a way to bypass the use of this box that I don't have and probably won't have for a while?
I apologize for writing so much and asking so many questions.
Thank you in advance for your help, and thank you also for the time you have already taken to assist me.
Hello, generally "case" and "card" refer to the same product.
Unless your laptop has an HDMI input (which is extremely rare, as it usually has an HDMI output), there is no way to stream the Switch's screen directly to a PC screen.
If you want to use a capture card, you need one that has an HDMI input to connect the Switch's dock, and that can connect via USB to the laptop (for example, I use the AVerMedia LGX2 GC551).
The two manufacturers that stand out the most are Elgato and AVerMedia, but generally, their capture cards cost at least €100 (yes, it's quite expensive). Otherwise, you can find many generic capture cards online, but they are far less reliable.
It is not possible to share the Switch's screen directly via its USB-C port. The only way is to place it in its dock and connect the HDMI output of the dock to an HDMI input. The capture card acts as an HDMI input and can share the screen via USB to your PC.
(When the Switch is connected via USB-C to a device other than a dock, it only allows for battery charging and file transfer.)
Thank you very much for this response Jean20B!
I think I have understood quite well. But to recap, I absolutely need a card/capture box that can receive an HDMI cable and that I can connect via USB to my PC (would USB-C work too?)
I was wondering if this type of product would work (I randomly picked a simple, inexpensive item to see if I understand what I need):
(Eventually, I wouldn't mind a few budget-friendly recommendations that would meet my needs. But I don't want to take up too much of your time either)
And let's imagine I have this capture card/box, I connect my switch to my PC, what should I do next?
I read that I need software to display the Switch screen on my computer. Can I follow the instructions from the tutorials I've found and use the Elgato software even if I'm not using their box? Or do I need different software?
Thank you wholeheartedly for your help, I see things more clearly now, it's nice.
The enclosure I have also works via USB-C, so I suppose that as long as you have the right cable it should work.
The product in the image is one of the generic products I was talking about; it might work but there could be latency or overheating issues. If you're lucky, you can still find a cheap enclosure that works very well (I don't have a reference, sorry).
Once the enclosure is connected to your PC, you can use the manufacturer's software or another compatible software such as OBS Studio. However, if you try to use the software without the enclosure, it will just indicate that there is no signal.
Great, a big thank you for your help!
Honestly, I don't have any more questions, it's quite relieving to understand what I need to do (it would have bothered me to throw money out the window). I'll have to make do with the small screen for now, but I hope to have the equipment I need as soon as possible.
In short, thank you very much for the time you took to explain all this.
I wish you a good day/evening.
Hello,
I apologize for getting back to you, but I have one last question regarding video capture devices.
What I really need to connect my Switch to my computer is a "video capture box/card", or can it work as long as there's an HDMI In and a USB output?
I'm asking this because I was able to borrow an HDMI to USB-C adapter, and I couldn't connect my Switch; I imagine that this equipment isn't suitable and that I really need a "video capture card"? Or am I perhaps using the wrong software on my computer or misusing it?
You've already taken a lot of time to explain everything I needed, which is very kind of you, and I apologize for bothering you with this again.
Hello,
No, you need a capture card (or box; inside the box, there's a capture card ^^). The term "card" is also used for capture cards connected via PCIe (on the motherboard in a desktop PC); in that case, it is indeed referred to as a card.
The HDMI to USB adapter will only transmit the information (often without transforming it) from one type of connector to another, specifically for a screen with USB-C or a USB-C video output from a PC.
The capture card will capture the video, converting the video data into a format usable by software.