With no app for Discord on the Nintendo Switch, there is no easy way to stream your game over to Discord.
However, using a simple video capture card, you can stream Nintendo Switch directly to your computer (which runs Discord) and display it in a window (player). The best part of this method is that you do not need a capture card to stream the Nintendo Switch, but it is required if you use your computer instead of a capture card.
Using a capture card is the easiest method while using your laptop/computer will be slightly more complicated. If you have a computer with an HDMI “In” port, you can skip this guide and look at the guide on how to stream from your Nintendo Switch directly to your computer instead.
Note: The instructions for streaming directly from the Nintendo Switch do not work currently as the console still has no official app for Discord. This setup uses a capture card and your laptop or computer to stream your Switch to Discord instead.
Requirements:
- Capture Card (USB).
- HDMI Splitter.
- Micro USB cable.
- Computer/Laptop with HDMI In port.
What's in It for You
Easy Step-by-Step Guide on How to Stream Nintendo Switch to Discord with Capture Card
Step 1: Setup Capture Card
Using this method, you will need a capture card. The best way to do so is to use the Elgato HD60 S . While any capture card will work, I feel that this one gives you the most bang for your buck. It is also much more straightforward than other capture cards in terms of setup and configuration (I will detail this later).
Step 2: Connect HDMI Splitter to Capture Card and Switch (HOT PLUGGING)
The next step is to connect the capture card to your switch. You will need an HDMI splitter for this, so get one of those too. This outputs both the TV and console into two different displays. You will need to unplug the splitter and take out one of the HDMI cables (either the console or TV, not both). Plug this into your capture card so it can do its job.
Step 3: Connect Capture Card to Computer/Laptop
Next, connect your capture card to your laptop or computer’s HDMI input. On the back of your capture card, there should be an HDMI cable out port (usually blue, white, or yellow). Use this cable to connect it to your laptop or computer. This will enable you to stream the game from your Switch over to Discord using OBS.
For this next step, you can use any device with an HDMI “In” port for this next step, but I would recommend using a laptop/computer with an HDMI In port.
Step 4: Configure OBS
Now that you have all of your devices connected, it is time to configure OBS on your computer. Open up the program and select the Game Capture option in the list. This will enable your capture card to stream the Switch.
Step 5: Setup Stream Key in OBS
Once you switch to the game capture mode, a box should come up with your stream key. Type this into your Discord server under Settings > Stream Key. This allows users to view the stream through their browser by clicking “View on Web” in the game browser.
Step 6: Configure Split Screen Rulers (Optional)
If you want, you can now configure your stream with split-screen rulers (recommended). To do this, go to Tools > Video Transition, then select Split Screen. You will notice that the ruler shows up at the bottom of your video.
Scroll the ruler until it is in the middle of your game, and make sure to hit “Apply.” If you want, you can also configure how many seconds before or after the current gameplay that the rulers appear (in pixels).
Step 7: Configure OBS Settings
Now that all of your devices are connected, captured, and configured, it is time to configure OBS further to get the best quality stream possible.
Click on “Settings” in the top right of your OBS window, and you will be taken into a new menu. Go down and select “Streaming” and set your bitrate according to how fast your internet connection is (I recommend anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000).
You can also choose to either Add a Game Filter for your Switch, or you can leave it as is.
When you are done, make sure to click Apply and OK. Now whenever someone goes into the game browser in Discord, they will see your stream! If you have split-screen activated, the stream should automatically switch to the split-screen mode when the game starts.
I hope this guide was helpful, if something is confusing, don’t be afraid to ask me or another community member for help. Thanks for reading!
FAQ’S
How do I split the stream to two sections?
Go to Tools > Video Transition and select Split Screen. Adjust your rulers until they are where you would like them to be, then hit Apply.
Can I use this method with any capture card/switch/computer?
Yes, as long as you have the correct equipment then this method should work just fine.
Can I stream in 720p?
Yes, in fact if your internet connection is fast enough I recommend streaming in 720p with a bitrate of 2,500-3,000 so that it looks good on people’s devices.
Can I use any streaming software?
Yes, as long as you have a capture card that can stream in OBS then it should work just fine. Also most streaming softwares are very similar so the only difference will be how easy they are to use.
Will my Switch Stream Lag?
No. As long as your PC can capture the Switch on 1080p/720p it should not lag at all. However, if you are streaming with a slow internet connection then there will be some small amount of input delay. It is recommended to use at least 3-4Mb/s upload speed for 720p and 4-6Mb/s for 1080p.
How do I add a title to my stream?
Go to Tools > Titles and click Add Title. Type in the Title of your choice and you are done! This title should appear above your stream in Discord. Here is an example from another streamer, Cygnus.
The Stream Key won’t show up. How do I fix this?
You need to go into the settings of your Discord server and make sure you have created a custom link. To do this go to Server Settings > Webhooks > Edit Webhook > Command(s). Type in !webhook and hit OK, then click on Test Hook to see if it works.
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