How do I capture footage from my game console?

Capturing footage from your game console to use in OBS Studio, whether or recording or streaming, requires either:

• a game capture device, via a Video Capture Source
  • examples include the Elgato Game Capture products, AVerMedia Game Capture products, Razer Ripsaw, EVGA XR1, Hauppauge HD PVR Pro, etc. These are suitable for all consoles
  • For macOS and Linux users: for the best compatibility with your operating system, prefer game capture devices that support USB video device class (UVC)
• using Window Capture to capture PS Remote Play or the Xbox app, streaming from the console to the PC
  • note: this method depends on a faster network connection between your console and PC to maintain optimal quality

The Nintendo Switch family of systems is compatible with game capture devices when docked; however, the Nintendo Switch Lite is not compatible with game capture devices as it cannot be docked.

Other portable consoles, such as the Nintendo 3DS, usually do not contain the required hardware to be captured via a game capture device. Later models of the PlayStation Vita contain the required hardware to output an HDMI signal via an adapter.