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This page is for “Oxlaw Game Capture” - USB 3.0 game capture card for Nintendo Switch recording.
Commentary
The Oxlaw Game Capture card serves as an essential tool for recording gameplay from my Nintendo Switch console. Based on my experience documented in
My Experiments with Game Capture Card
, this device enables capturing gameplay for both live streaming and recording purposes.
Problem Solved: Nintendo Switch only allows 30 seconds of recording at a time and doesn’t support direct uploading to YouTube or Twitch. The Oxlaw capture card provides the intermediary solution needed to bring the Switch’s HDMI output to my MacBook for processing through OBS Studio.
Setup: The device connects via USB 3.0 to my MacBook (with Thunderbolt/USB-C ports) and captures HDMI input from the Nintendo Switch, allowing for full gameplay recording and streaming capabilities.
Technical Specs
Interface: USB 3.0 (compatible with Thunderbolt/USB-C via adapter)
Input: HDMI input from gaming consoles
Output: USB 3.0 video capture to computer
Compatibility: Works with Nintendo Switch and other HDMI gaming devices
Form Factor: Compact external capture card
Power: USB bus powered
Operating System: macOS, Windows, Linux
Software Integration: OBS Studio compatible
Useful Applications
Game Recording and Streaming
OBS Studio - Primary software for recording and streaming (free and open-source)
Nintendo Switch Recording - Capture gameplay beyond the 30-second limit
Live Streaming - Stream to Twitch, YouTube, or other platforms
Gameplay Archive - Record sessions for later upload to YouTube
Setup and Configuration
USB 3.0 Capture Source - OBS recognizes as USB 3.0 Capture source
USB 3.0 Audio Input - Separate audio input source in OBS
Full Screen Projection - Project to secondary monitor for full-screen gameplay
Scene Creation - Create custom OBS scenes with required elements
Tips and Tricks
Setup and Installation
Easy Setup: OBS picks up the device directly as USB 3.0 Capture source
Audio Configuration: Set up USB 3.0 audio input source in OBS
MacBook Compatibility: Works with Thunderbolt/USB-C ports via adapter
Driver Installation: No additional drivers required for macOS
Audio Monitoring
Advanced Audio Properties: Select “Monitoring and Output” option
Real-time Audio: Hear game audio while recording
Audio Capture: Audio gets captured and stored in recordings
Monitoring Setup: Configure audio monitoring for live feedback
Performance Considerations
External Processing: Two layers of processing may cause display lag
Heat Management: Compact size raises concerns about heat during extended use
Usage Limits: Avoid continuous recording/streaming over 3 hours
Performance Monitoring: Monitor device temperature during long sessions
Recording Workflow
Scene Creation: Create OBS scenes with required elements
Full Screen Projection: Use secondary monitor for full-screen gameplay
Capture and Play: Record while playing in full screen on external display
Post-processing: Edit recordings for YouTube upload or streaming
