To stream Nintendo Switch games on Discord, you’ll need to capture the gameplay and use your PC to stream it. The Nintendo Switch itself doesn’t have built-in streaming capabilities, so you’ll need to use a capture card. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
What You Need:
1. Nintendo Switch
2. Capture Card (e.g., Elgato HD60 S, Razer Ripsaw, etc.)
3. PC with Discord Installed
4. HDMI Cables
5. Monitor/TV for viewing your Switch screen
6. Optional: Microphone and Camera for voice and webcam
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Connect the Switch to the Capture Card:
– Plug the HDMI cable from your Nintendo Switch dock into the input port of the capture card.
– Use another HDMI cable to connect the output port of the capture card to your monitor or TV for viewing.
2. Connect the Capture Card to Your PC:
– The capture card will typically connect to your PC via USB (usually USB 3.0). Plug this into an available USB port on your PC.
3. Install Capture Card Software:
– Many capture cards come with their own software (like Elgato’s Game Capture HD software), but for streaming on Discord, you can also use OBS Studio (free software) to capture the game.
– Install OBS Studio if you don’t already have it. It’s widely used for streaming and video recording.
4. Set Up OBS Studio (Optional but Recommended for Better Quality):
– Open OBS Studio and create a new scene by clicking the “+” button under the Scenes box.
– Add a new source by clicking the “+” under the Sources box, then select “Video Capture Device.”
– Choose your capture card from the list of available devices (e.g., Elgato HD60).
– Adjust the video settings as necessary to match your stream’s desired resolution and frame rate.
5. Stream to Discord:
– Open Discord and join a voice channel in your server or DM with friends.
– Click the “Screen” button near the bottom of the Discord window (it should be next to the microphone and camera icons).
– Select the window where OBS Studio is displaying your capture card feed (you should see the Nintendo Switch game).
– Choose the stream quality (Discord lets you stream in 720p or higher if you’re a Nitro user).
– Click “Go Live” to start streaming your Switch gameplay to Discord.
6. Optional – Add Audio and Camera:
– If you want to include your microphone or webcam, you can add those as sources in OBS as well.
– For your microphone, select your microphone device in the “Audio Input Capture” source in OBS.
– For a webcam, use the “Video Capture Device” and select your webcam.
7. Play and Stream:
– Now, you can play your Switch game while streaming it to Discord. Your friends will be able to watch your gameplay in real-time.
Tips:
– Make sure your PC is capable of handling the capture and stream at the same time. A mid-to-high-end PC is ideal for smooth streaming.
– If you experience lag, try lowering the streaming resolution or frame rate in Discord.
– If you’re not using OBS, you can directly stream from the capture card’s software, but OBS offers more customization and better control over the stream.
With this setup, you’ll be able to stream your Nintendo Switch games on Discord and share the experience with your friends.
