You’ve acquired a capture board, but you might be unsure where to connect everything. Even though you believe you have enough cables, for some reason, the video doesn’t appear on your PC. Many of you may still feel confused about how to handle this situation.

Wiring for a capture board becomes surprisingly simple once you grasp the flow. From the game console to the capture board, then from the capture board to the PC, and finally to the monitor if necessary. By just understanding these three routes, you will clearly see the overall connection picture.

In this article, I’ll break down complex technical jargon as much as possible and demonstrate the connections using examples like the Switch and PlayStation 5 (PS5).

What is a Capture Board? Its Mechanism and Necessity

Many of you might already have a rough understanding of capture boards, so let’s review it briefly.

The purpose is to create a relay point for capturing video and audio from the game console to the computer. With this setup, the game screen is displayed in the streaming software, allowing for the preparation of recording or streaming.

Difference Between External and Internal Models (Which One is Suitable for Beginners?)

Capture boards can be broadly categorized into two types: external and internal. External models connect via USB, making them easy to handle. They are also usable with laptops, so if you’re handling one for the first time, this is likely the more user-friendly option.

Internal models are card-shaped and inserted into the chassis of a desktop PC, and are designed for those who prioritize low latency and stability. However, installing them requires some technical knowledge.

If you’re unsure, a good rule of thumb is to go for external if you value ease of use, and internal if you seek high quality and low latency. This guideline is sufficient. A more detailed selection process is also outlined in the articles below, so feel free to refer to them as needed.

What is a Capture Board? An Explanation of Its Necessity and Selection for Beginners!

Let’s Prepare Before Connecting the Capture Board! (Separate for Switch and PS5)

When you actually try to connect, you might surprisingly find that you’re missing some items or that there are settings you need to address beforehand. While the wiring itself is simple, skipping the prior preparations can often lead to issues with video not displaying, so let’s take a moment to summarize and check our preliminary preparations.

It’s a good idea to confirm these details for both the Switch and PS5.

Gather Necessary Cables and Peripherals

In addition to the capture board itself, you will need at least one HDMI cable; in most cases, two are required.

The flow is: one cable from the game console to the capture board, and another from the capture board to the monitor. Some models come with one cable included, but it’s often not enough, so checking in advance is recommended.

Additionally, the USB cable connecting the capture board to the PC is a crucial point. Using a USB 3.0 or higher standard is advisable; otherwise, the video may not be stable, so it’s best to use the included cable directly.

If connecting through an older USB hub, recognition can become unstable, so it’s better to connect directly to the PC.

Confirm the Differences Between the Switch and Switch Lite

Among the Switch series, both the standard model and the OLED model are compatible with capture boards without issues.

However, the Switch Lite requires some caution. The Lite does not support TV output, meaning you won’t be able to extract video from it via a capture board.

If you are using the Lite and want to stream, it is structurally impossible, so you will need to prepare a standard model. This is a common point of misunderstanding, so verifying it beforehand is advisable.

Don’t Forget to Check HDCP Settings for PS5!

When connecting the PS5 to a capture board, one common issue arises from the HDCP copy protection setting. By default, this is turned on, and in this state, the video will not be outputted to the capture board.

Often, simply turning off HDCP in the settings screen resolves the issue; forgetting this can lead to a situation where no matter how you connect things, the screen remains black. It’s advisable to check the settings just once before connecting to ensure a smooth process.

In the next section, we’ll organize the basic connection methods for capture boards as a common flow for all models.

Basic Flow for Connecting the Capture Board

While there are subtle differences for each game console, the method for connecting a capture board is essentially common.

Once you grasp the flow, you should be able to wire up the Switch and PS5 with almost the same ease. Here are three steps you should remember in order.

STEP 1: Game Console → Capture Board

The first step is to send the video from the game console to the capture board. Connect the HDMI output from the game console to the port labeled HDMI IN on the capture board. Make sure to check the direction to ensure the connections are correct, as connecting them the wrong way can result in no display.

For the Switch, this will come from the HDMI OUT from the dock, and for the PS5, it will come from the HDMI port on the back of the unit. Both work in the same way without any issues.

STEP 2: Capture Board → Computer

Next, connect the capture board to the computer using a USB cable. Connecting to a USB 3.0 or higher port improves video stability. It’s safest to use the included cable directly to avoid compatibility issues.

Most USB connection capture boards are often recognized simply by connection. If there is no response, trying a different USB port may help improve the situation.

STEP 3: Capture Board → Monitor

Finally, if you want to utilize the pass-through function, connect the HDMI OUT of the capture board to the monitor.

Doing this allows you to play games while viewing nearly lag-free video on the monitor, which is especially advantageous for action games and rhythm games where response time is crucial.

Even if your model does not have a pass-through, you can still stream or record, but please note that you may experience slight delays as you will be playing while viewing the computer’s preview screen.

This is the basic flow that is common across all models.

In the next section, we will look at a more detailed method for connecting using the Switch.

Switch and Capture Board Connection: Methods and Points

The Switch has an excellent compatibility with capture boards, allowing for quick start-ups for streaming and recording once you grasp the method. The connection process is straightforward, but it can be confusing regarding where to plug in the dock, so let’s clarify the details step by step.

Switch Dock and Capture Board Connection Steps

When using the Switch, begin by placing the console into the dock.

Open the cover at the back of the dock, where you will see three terminals: AC adapter, USB, and HDMI OUT. Connect the cable from HDMI OUT to HDMI IN on the capture board.

Often, people mistakenly connect the HDMI OUT directly to the monitor at this stage.

If you want to go through the capture board, remember to first connect to the IN side of the capture board to avoid confusion.

Optimal Setup for One Monitor or Laptop Environment

Streaming can be done with just one monitor or while working on a laptop. However, if you attempt to play games directly from the computer’s preview screen, you may feel a slight delay.

Thus, if you are using a capture board with pass-through capability, connect the HDMI OUT to the monitor and play with nearly lag-free video.

If you’re using a laptop, consider using the laptop for operating the streaming software and an external monitor for the game screen to separate roles and enhance comfort.

Even if your model lacks pass-through, streaming is still feasible. If the game is not sensitive to delay, playing through the preview screen is adequately doable.

Setting Up OBS to Display the Switch Screen

Once the cables are connected, it’s time to check the video on the computer.

Launch OBS and add a video capture device from the sources panel; the capture board should appear in the list. Selecting it should display the Switch screen in the preview.

If you want to also capture game audio, ensure that the audio from the capture board is shown in OBS’s audio mixer. If you find it difficult to hear, consider slightly adjusting the volume slider or audio monitoring settings.

Once you can confirm both video and audio, you are nearly ready to stream or record. A brief recording test can be performed to balance the video and audio before proceeding.

PS5 and Capture Board Connection: Methods and Points

The PS5 offers a beautiful video output, but it can also be a model where you might stumble on various settings.

In particular, initially facing the issue of “the screen is black even though I connected it” can be common, so we’ll outline the correct wiring along with likely causes.

Basic Connection Steps for PS5 and Capture Board

The HDMI port on the PS5 is located on the back of the unit. Connect the cable from this port to the HDMI IN of the capture board. As with the Switch, when sending video to the capture board, be sure to insert it into the IN side.

Next, connect the HDMI OUT from the capture board to the monitor. If it’s a pass-through model, establishing this connection will allow you to play without noticeable delay. If it’s a model without pass-through, you’ll be using the preview screen on the computer, but streaming can still proceed without issues.

By connecting the capture board to the computer with a USB cable, your wiring is complete. Just by arranging the settings, you will be able to instantly display the screen on OBS.

How to Disable HDCP (A Common Cause of Black Screens)

When connecting the PS5 to a capture board, the most frequent trouble comes from the HDCP copy protection setting. By default, it’s turned on, and many capture boards won’t output video in this state.

The method to disable it is very simple; just turn off HDCP from the PS5’s settings screen. This alone can often solve the issue, making it a crucial point to check first.

Note that HDCP may be necessary when playing content from streaming services, so you can turn it back on just for viewing. You can switch it off for streaming or recording and back on for watching movies.

Steps to Display PS5 Video on OBS

With wiring and HDCP settings in place, launch OBS to check the video.

Add the video capture device from sources, and selecting the capture board in the list should show the PS5 screen in the preview.

If the video is not displayed, consider performing these checks:

• Try changing the USB port.
• Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable.
• Verify whether the capture board is recognized by the computer.

These simple checks can often lead to a resolution.

If you can confirm both video and audio in OBS, lightly adjust the comment section layout and audio balance, and your stream preparation is nearly complete.

Furthermore, a detailed explanation on how to stream using a capture board with the Switch can be found in the article below.

How to Stream Video Games Using a Capture Board: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Connect PC Games to the Capture Board

When you want to stream PC games, a capture board is often seen as essential, but whether you need one can vary based on usage.

Especially for those considering a 2-PC setup, determining where the capture board fits can be tricky. Here, let’s first organize how to output video as a fundamental process.

Outputting Video from PC to Capture Board (HDMI)

When you want to input PC game video into the capture board, think of treating the PC like a game console.

The process is very simple: just send the video output (like HDMI) from the PC to the HDMI IN of the capture board.

As an example:

① PC’s HDMI OUT
② Capture board’s HDMI IN

This is the connection flow.

If you have a laptop without an HDMI port, you might be able to output video using a USB-C to HDMI adapter. However, not all USB-C ports support video output, so it’s recommended to check for compatibility with Alt Mode or Thunderbolt beforehand.

When capturing PC game video with an external capture board, just remembering this route is sufficient.

Differences Between 1PC Streaming and 2PC Streaming

There are broadly two methods for streaming PC games.

1PC Streaming (Using one PC for both gaming and streaming)

This method uses a single gaming PC to

• Run the game
• Run OBS

both tasks simultaneously.

This setup has fewer cables and is easy to start, but a heavier gaming load can sometimes cause hiccups in the streaming part. A capture board is generally unnecessary, as you can simply add a screen capture in OBS to stream.

2PC Streaming (Gaming PC + Streaming PC)

This method involves preparing an additional PC, completely separating the gaming and streaming roles.

The gaming PC focuses solely on gaming, while the streaming PC is dedicated to just running OBS, distributing the overall load and enhancing stability.

This configuration typically requires a capture board.

Here’s the flow:

① Gaming PC’s HDMI OUT
② Capture board (USB connection)
③ Streaming PC’s OBS displaying the video

To avoid delays during gameplay, the basic approach is to operate directly from the gaming PC’s monitor. This method is suitable for those looking to stream for extended periods or those wanting both visual quality and stability.

Checklist for When Video is Not Displaying or Audio is Missing (By Cause)

After connecting to a capture board, issues such as “the screen isn’t displaying” or “only sound is coming through” or “lag is severe” can occur. Often, these problems can be resolved with a minor setting.

Below is a checklist categorized into three common causes to help you verify step by step.

In Case the Video Isn’t Displaying (HDCP, HDMI, Power, Port Errors)

If no video is displayed at all, stop and take a deep breath. The cause is often simpler than expected.

By checking the points below in order, many issues will likely resolve.

• Is the HDMI cable plugged in the correct direction?
  The game console should be connected to HDMI OUT, and the capture board should be connected to HDMI IN. If reversed, it won’t display.

• Have you tried switching to a different HDMI cable?
  Even if it looks fine, faulty cables can lead to a lack of video display.

• Is HDCP turned off on the PS5?
  If it remains on, the capture board won’t display video, so check this setting just once.

• Is the power for the capture board (USB power) stable?
  Connecting via a USB hub often leads to power shortages and recognition failures, so it’s safer to connect directly to the PC.

• Is the capture board recognized on the PC?
  Check if it’s displayed in the OBS video capture device list; if not, try changing USB ports.

Simply confirming these points can suddenly resolve a completely black screen in many cases.

If the video is still not displaying after checking these, you might want to refer to the article below.

What to Do When Game Capture is Not Displaying on OBS? Comprehensive Solutions by Cause

In Case the Audio is Missing (OBS Settings, Audio Routing)

It’s quite common to have video visible but no audio. Most causes relate to either OBS settings or where the audio signal may be halted.

Key points to confirm are as follows:

• Is the audio from the capture board displayed in OBS’s audio mixer?
  If not shown, check the source settings for audio output mode.

• Are the audio output settings on the capture board correct?
  Some models might have a switch for “sending HDMI audio to PC/not sending”.

• Is the volume on the game console set to zero?
  This is a surprisingly commonly overlooked point; if muted on the Switch or PS5, it won’t reach OBS.

• Is the correct input device selected in Windows sound settings?
  Selecting the wrong device might prevent audio from reaching OBS.

Audio troubles often get solved with just one setting. Take your time to check these points in order, and you should be able to resolve the issue quickly.

If the audio still doesn’t work after checking these, refer to the article below for further assistance.

Explanation of Issues Related to Game Audio Not Capturing or Being Heard in OBS!

In Case of Delays (Using Pass-Through Output)

If the game’s movements appear distinctly delayed, it’s often the case that you are viewing the video directly on the computer’s preview. The capture board can naturally deliver video with several hundred milliseconds of delay.

What comes in handy then is the pass-through output.

By connecting the HDMI OUT from the capture board directly to the monitor, you can play while viewing nearly lag-free video.

By separating roles—using the monitor for gaming and the PC’s preview for OBS—you’ll greatly reduce stress.

However, if you are using a model without pass-through capability, you might face challenges while playing in certain game genres.

When playing action or rhythm games, it is more comfortable to choose a capture board that supports pass-through.

Conclusion

Connecting a capture board may feel daunting at first, but once you understand the basic flow, it becomes much easier to handle.

From the game console to the capture board, then to the PC. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be well-prepared for streaming.

Troubles like video or audio not displaying can also be simply resolved by identifying the cause step by step.

I hope this article serves as a helpful reference as you embark on your gaming streaming journey.