Stream nintendo switch without capture card

Streaming Switch games on Discord is a great thing to do and an easy thing to set up. We’ll show you how.

• by

  Stefan Mitrovic
• December 3, 2022

Quick Answer: To stream Switch to Discord, you’ll need a few things: a video capture card, a VLC player, and an HDMI cable. Nintendo doesn’t offer a native app to stream your Switch to Discord, so this is your only option. Stream your Switch gameplay to Discord using the below steps.

Jump Ahead

• How to stream Nintendo Switch to Discord
  • Preparing your Switch to stream to Discord – what you’ll need
  • The setup
  • Here’s how to get your Nintendo Switch ready for streaming.
  • Setting Up The Nintendo Switch
  • Setting Up VLC Media Player
• Getting Discord set up for your Nintendo Switch stream
• Why should you stream Nintendo Switch on Discord?
• Why VLC media player is the best choice for streaming video games
• Conclusion
• FAQ
  • What do I need to stream Nintendo Switch on Discord?
  • What is the best media player to capture Discord’s video and audio data streams?
  • Do you need a capture card to stream Switch on Discord?

The popularity of Nintendo Switch games has been on the rise in recent years, making it a great option for seamless game streaming.

Gamers are drawn to the Switch’s fun and engaging gameplay, and being able to share those experiences with others through streaming only adds to the enjoyment.

Can you stream the Nintendo Switch to Discord? Yes—this allows you to share your gameplay with others in real time for an even more engaging experience. But it’s not as easy as one would think.

That’s why today, I’m going to dive into everything you need to know to start streaming video and audio streams from your Nintendo Switch screen to Discord.

How to stream Nintendo Switch to Discord

Before getting into all the specific steps, you need to take to stream Nintendo Switch on Discord, let’s see what you need to have on hand.

Preparing your Switch to stream to Discord – what you’ll need

• A Nintendo Switch console
• The Nintendo docking station
• Your PC or Mac device that you use
• A Discord account that is both genuine and active
• Video capture card and the relevant video capture card software
• VLC media player
• HDMI cable, USB cable, and all relevant connectors and cables you need
• High-quality internet connection

Now that you have all of the pieces of equipment that you need, here is what you need to do to set everything up.

The setup

Here’s how to get your Nintendo Switch ready for streaming.

1. Connect the Nintendo Switch to its docking station, and do so with the USB cable and relevant USB-C ports, because that’s how you’ll have the best connection speed.

1. Take your HDMI cable and connect your video capture card to the docking station by using said cable. Make sure everything is compatible in case you have to order these pieces online.

1. Now, take your computer and go straight and open the capture device software. Different video capture cards can be compatible with other software, so make sure you’ve downloaded the proper one.

Setting Up The Nintendo Switch

1. Now that your capture card is ready, it’s time to take your Nintendo Switch into your hands. First and foremost, you will need to turn it on by pressing the power button in the Switch’s top left corner.

1. Take your capture card and USB cable, and plug them into the computer.

1. Nintendo’s display screen will now be on the bigger screen of your computer.
2. Now you need to set up a video window on the computer you’re using, and to do that, you will need to open the capture card software and copy the code of your video card. After that, paste the said video card software to Notepad.

Setting Up VLC Media Player

1. The next part of the setup deals with the VLC media player settings, so open it by clicking on your screen’s VLC media player icon.
2. Once the media player is open, click on the Media button. Then, click the VLC screen and the open capture device button.

1. You should find the capture mode section in the new window and ensure it is set to DirectShow.

1. Click the ‘Show more options‘ button and find an edit options text box. Find your Notepad app, copy the code you previously wrote, and paste it into this text box. Besides the video card, you should also do this for the audio card to have a voice channel.

1. Close the VLC media player.
2. Right-click on the VLC icon, and click on properties.
3. In the target section, please change the location of your video capture card by setting it to the location of your capture card.

1. Click on the ‘OK‘ button and close the VLC media player.
2. Open VLC again, and by doing that, you will have a VLC media stream as the new window that will be streamed on Discord.

Getting Discord set up for your Nintendo Switch stream

1. Open the Discord app on your computer.

2. Go to your server, click on the screen option, and then click on ‘Applications‘.

   

3. You will see your VLC screen here, and you should click on it to select it as your display window.

4. According to how you want your new display window to look, you can play around with some settings to have your Switch games from the Nintendo device look how you want them to.

   

5. After you’re done with that, you’ll be ready to start your live stream, so all you need to do now is click on the ‘Go Live‘ button, and that will be it.

Why should you stream Nintendo Switch on Discord?

You might want to stream Nintendo Switch games on Discord for several reasons. Some of the benefits of streaming Nintendo Switch games on Discord include:

• Sharing your gameplay experiences with others
• Showcasing your skills and accomplishments
• Finding new friends and collaborators
• Connect with other players who are passionate about the same game

You probably already have a Discord server that you’re using on a day-to-day basis, so being able to gather everyone like that is a great option.

If you have the same favorite Nintendo Switch games, and in case you’re connected with other gamers on Discord who also like them, then you should stream Nintendo Switch content on Discord.

Ultimately, Discord can help you make new friends and find new gaming partners who can help you improve your skills and enjoy your favorite game even more.

Why VLC media player is the best choice for streaming video games

There are several reasons why a VLC media player is considered the best choice for streaming video games. But, the benefits of using VLC to stream Nintendo Switch games are numerous:

• Compatibility with a wide range of formats and platforms: VLC media player is known for its versatility and compatibility with a wide range of video formats and platforms.
• Support for high-quality video and audio: VLC media player is also known for its support for high-quality video and audio.
• Low resource consumption and high performance: It is a lightweight and efficient media player that can run smoothly, even on older or less powerful computers.
• Customization and flexibility: VLC media player allows you to customize various settings and options, such as video and audio filters, subtitles, and playlist management.

VLC is open-sourced and well-tested. The best part? You can use it for free as long as it’s for personal needs.

No matter which platform you’re working with on your computer, it’s compatible with VLC, as it works with Mac, PC, and even Linux platforms.

The installation file is only around 100MB, so it won’t take up too much space on your storage, providing you with many customization options.

Conclusion

Streaming Switch games on Discord is a great thing to do and an easy thing to set up.

Before you stream Nintendo Switch on Discord, you need to do only a few prep steps, for example, get a video capture card, and most video capture cards will do, so that won’t be a chore.

After setting everything up for your Nintendo, streaming software, and Discord, you’ll be all set to stream games with your servers seamlessly.

FAQ

What do I need to stream Nintendo Switch on Discord?

To do this, you need to have your Switch, its docking station, a few cables like HDMI and USB cables, a video capture card, and its software from a relevant website.

Plus, an active Discord account, a computer, and streaming software of choice.

What is the best media player to capture Discord’s video and audio data streams?

The best option for streaming video games on Discord from a Nintendo Switch is the VLC media player, as it’s one of the better third-party options.

However, you can use something else or most cards’ pre-installed software.

Do you need a capture card to stream Switch on Discord?

If you want to stream Switch to Discord without a capture card, you need to use another device or software to help you because Switch doesn’t support streaming apps.

You can do it via the Streamlabs app on your phone or by connecting your Xbox One to the same WiFi as Switch.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to turn on dark mode on Nintendo Switch
• The best Nintendo Switch accessories (2022)
• Mirfak Audio introduces the TU10, a stunning microphone for streaming and gaming
• Live streaming on Twitch vs. YouTube: What to choose?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Can you record switch gameplay without a capture card?

Do you need a capture card to stream switch on Twitch?

How do I stream my Nintendo switch to my computer without a dock?