Streaming Switch to computer with HDMI and VLC

[KittyLee]

My desktop computer has an HDMI-in, so I want to see if I can use it to stream a Switch game to Discord without a capture card. I heard that I could do that using VLC, but I can't figure out how. Any ideas?

 

[Hayato213]

You use that HDMI to output to a monitor not the way you think it work.

 

[Jayinem]

SysDVR can stream Switch on PC, but it can't stream the main menu only after you run a game will it work and you can record with it.

https://github.com/exelix11/SysDVR

It doesn't involve HDMI at all though, you can do either usb with your Switch connected to PC or wireless.

 

[dragonz]

SysDVR can stream Switch on PC, but it can't stream the main menu only after you run a game will it work and you can record with it.

https://github.com/exelix11/SysDVR

It doesn't involve HDMI at all though, you can do either usb with your Switch connected to PC or wireless.

I've been using this on my laptop, but it feels a bit unstable. I noticed that all recordings default to 30 FPS, which is fine for now. However, I really wish someone could find a way to extend the default recording limit from 30 seconds to at least 10 minutes using the Switch's feature where you hold the capture button down for a few seconds. As it stands, that doesn’t seem possible, right?

 

[Jayinem]

I've been using this on my laptop, but it feels a bit unstable. I noticed that all recordings default to 30 FPS, which is fine for now. However, I really wish someone could find a way to extend the default recording limit from 30 seconds to at least 10 minutes using the Switch's feature where you hold the capture button down for a few seconds. As it stands, that doesn’t seem possible, right?

I couldn't tell you I stream my PS4 PS5 and Switch all to my PC for various reasons, but none of them are to record lol it's just easier for me because I'm usually looking at my PC and I can just start a console and not have to switch HDMI ports, plus with Chiaki PS4/PS5 I can use my PC controller. You can on Switch too but that's another app.

But yeah SysDVR is not great. I just have a cheap capture card that works fine for Switch I think I paid like $30, I use it with OBS Studios.

 

[KittyLee]

This discussion is interesting, and I may check out SysDVR even if its not good, because I don't need the stream to be amazing or anything. I would probably need a splitter or converter and a way to keep the screen on on my Switch so I can play there while streaming to PC .
I don't want to buy a capture card, even a cheap one, just to stream fun game to my Discord friends. If it comes down to this, I'll just not stream at all.
I still want to know if there's a way to do this with specifically the HDMI-in port. More for curiosity than anything. Like if I simply wanted to play Switch on the monitor, I would just plug the HDMI into the monitor. But my PC also has HDMI input, and its gotta be there for more than just a roundabout way to display something on the monitor.

 

[Jayinem]

This discussion is interesting, and I may check out SysDVR even if its not good, because I don't need the stream to be amazing or anything. I would probably need a splitter or converter and a way to keep the screen on on my Switch so I can play there while streaming to PC .
I don't want to buy a capture card, even a cheap one, just to stream fun game to my Discord friends. If it comes down to this, I'll just not stream at all.
I still want to know if there's a way to do this with specifically the HDMI-in port. More for curiosity than anything. Like if I simply wanted to play Switch on the monitor, I would just plug the HDMI into the monitor. But my PC also has HDMI input, and its gotta be there for more than just a roundabout way to display something on the monitor.

You're saying your desktop has both an hdmi out and in port? Never even heard of that.

If that's the case just hook up your Switch to it and try why do you need to ask us anything.

Also SysDVR does not require a splitter or converter, it uses either usb or wireless like I said already.

 

[dragonz]

I couldn't tell you I stream my PS4 PS5 and Switch all to my PC for various reasons, but none of them are to record lol it's just easier for me because I'm usually looking at my PC and I can just start a console and not have to switch HDMI ports, plus with Chiaki PS4/PS5 I can use my PC controller. You can on Switch too but that's another app.

But yeah SysDVR is not great. I just have a cheap capture card that works fine for Switch I think I paid like $30, I use it with OBS Studios.

OP- If you want to connect your Switch directly to an HDMI source without using the dock, consider looking for a compatible USB to HDMI cable. There are several YouTube videos discussing these cables, but be aware that some comments mention potential issues with them damaging the Switch's charging port. I'm not sure how accurate those claims are, so proceed with caution.

 

[KittyLee]

You're saying your desktop has both an hdmi out and in port? Never even heard of that.

If that's the case just hook up your Switch to it and try why do you need to ask us anything.

Also SysDVR does not require a splitter or converter, it uses either usb or wireless like I said already.

Yes it does. This started because I saw someone somewhere saying that VLC could be used with HDMI input without needing a capture card. And I was like, "wait. my desktop has HDMI input. I CAN STREAM SWITCH GAMES TO MY FRIENDS!!!" but i cant figure out how to get it to work on either the Linux or Windows side of my computer.

 

[Jayinem]

Yes it does. This started because I saw someone somewhere saying that VLC could be used with HDMI input without needing a capture card. And I was like, "wait. my desktop has HDMI input. I CAN STREAM SWITCH GAMES TO MY FRIENDS!!!" but i cant figure out how to get it to work on either the Linux or Windows side of my computer.

If it's an HP all in one I read something to press F4, but if that doesn't work I have no idea.

 

[randy_w]

If it's an all in one computer then the hdmi in port is just a pass through to the display, not wired to a capture card. It's behaves just like the second hdmi/dp input on your monitor, you can choose which one to display but can't capture it.

Anyway go to device manager or open obs and check if there's any capture device, if not then you need a capture card or sysdvr

 

[KittyLee]

If it's an HP all in one I read something to press F4, but if that doesn't work I have no idea.

its an Alienware, but i tried that anyway, and yeah it didnt work. i didnt realize HDMI inputs on computers were so rare.

If it's an all in one computer then the hdmi in port is just a pass through to the display, not wired to a capture card. It's behaves just like the second hdmi/dp input on your monitor, you can choose which one to display but can't capture it.

Anyway go to device manager or open obs and check if there's any capture device, if not then you need a capture card or sysdvr

im going to assume this is the case here as well. dang :/. aw well. ill check out SysDVR then.
thanks for the help from all of you.

 

[Nephiel]

its an Alienware, but i tried that anyway, and yeah it didnt work. i didnt realize HDMI inputs on computers were so rare.

Found this post, might be worth a look: https://www.dell.com/community/en/c...a8de72c0f6?commentId=647f9179f4ccf8a8de30781a

 

[der:Tom]

I think you'll need a way to get rid of DHCP protection (Switch has protected HDMI signal) before you can stream.
Every cheap HDMI splitter from Amazon will do the trick.

 

[Nephiel]

I think you'll need a way to get rid of DHCP protection (Switch has protected HDMI signal) before you can stream.
Every cheap HDMI splitter from Amazon will do the trick.

You meant HDCP? (DHCP is another thing entirely). Not all splitters can deal with it, the cheapest ones are passive and do nothing.
At that point, a USB capture card can be found for about the same cost.

 

[der:Tom]

You meant HDCP? (DHCP is another thing entirely). Not all splitters can deal with it, the cheapest ones are passive and do nothing.
At that point, a USB capture card can be found for about the same cost.

Haha yes that's what I meant, my bad
Hm, I got a hdmi splitter, two hdmi switches and a hdmi audio extractor with passthrough at home, all from Amazon and all of them under 20€, everyone works for removing hdmi protection.

Also, not every capture card is suited for this, from my experience the cheap usb3 capture dongles have a very noticable lag.

 

[TheStonedModder]

My desktop computer has an HDMI-in, so I want to see if I can use it to stream a Switch game to Discord without a capture card. I heard that I could do that using VLC, but I can't figure out how. Any ideas?

If your computer really had an HDMI input you should just be able to use OBS and view the input like a camera

Odds that you have an HDMI input already are low tho. Usually you need to add a capture card of some sort to get that functionality

I don’t think any desktop(or laptop) manufacturers even natively support this. At least not consumer ones. Especially since not all capture cards are the same. Some are 1080p only..some are 4k30 or even 4k60 ((I’ve yet to see a 4k120)