Hooking up your Nintendo 3DS to a TV or monitor for big-screen gaming is tempting, but unfortunately it‘s not as simple as plugging in an HDMI cable. 3DS systems lack any kind of built-in video output, so getting game footage onto a larger display takes some work.
With the right gear and techniques though, you can project your 3DS XL‘s dual screens onto a TV in different ways. Let‘s explore some methods for linking your 3DS to a television and discuss the pros and cons of each.
3DS Models and Capture Card Compatibility
There are a few different 3DS models out there, and not all capture cards work identically with each one:
- Original 3DS – Requires soldering a board inside for most capture cards. Trickiest install.
- 3DS XL – Slightly easier internal access for capture card installation.
- New 3DS – Non-invasive capture cards like the DigiRetro slot into the cartridge port.
- 2DS – Lacks the 3D display so video output is limited to 2D. Easy access for internal cards.
According to modding experts, the New 3DS line offers the best compatibility with capture cards for easy install and full 2D video support. But all models can utilize capture cards in some form.
Capture Card Video Output Interfaces
3DS capture cards tap into the console‘s GPU and video outputs to transmit live gameplay video over various interfaces:
- HDMI – Most common digital video output. Supports up to 1080p resolution. Audio can be transmitted simultaneously over HDMI as well.
- DVI – Digital-only video output similar to HDMI but without audio. Max resolution of 1080p.
- Component – Analog video up to 1080i resolution. Requires additional cabling for audio.
- Composite – Low quality analog video output. Not recommended for capture card use.
For convenience, HDMI is the best choice to get both high-quality digital video and audio through a single cable to your TV or monitor. Component is an option for solely video in analog format to leverage TVs without HDMI.
Audio Codec Support
In addition to video output, audio from the 3DS can be routed to your external display in a few different formats:
- Analog stereo – Plain uncompressed stereo sound using the 3DS headphone jack.
- HDMI – Digital stereo audio encoded within the HDMI video signal.
- Dolby Digital – Encoded 5.1 surround sound via HDMI for an immersive experience.
Analog provides the purest, cleanest sound directly from the 3DS audio hardware. HDMI offers convenience transmitting both audio and video digitally over one cable. Dolby Digital 5.1 surround boosts immersion if your TV and audio system support multi-channel HDMI inputs.
Wireless Streaming vs Wired Video Capture
For live output to a TV or monitor, you can utilize wireless streaming or direct wired video capture:
- Wireless Streaming – Transmits realtime gameplay video over Wi-Fi using an app like SunDS. No capture card needed.
- Wired Capture – Directly outputs video via a physical HDMI or component cable from an internal capture card.
Here is a comparison between the two methods:
| Method | Latency | Video Quality | Hardware Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Streaming | 200-400ms | Compressed 720p-1080p | No capture card, just Wi-Fi on 3DS |
| Wired Capture | Under 5ms | Raw Uncompressed 1080p | Internal HDMI capture card |
As seen above, a direct wired connection achieves minimal lag and pixel-perfect video quality at the cost of installing a video capture card. Wireless trades off higher latency and compression artifacts for the convenience of streaming wirelessly to any TV.
Common Video and Audio Issues
When routing your 3DS video and audio to an external screen for the first time, you may encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common problems and solutions:
No Video Output
- Check video cables are fully inserted into capture card and TV ports.
- Try different TV HDMI inputs in case one is faulty.
- For wireless streaming, confirm Wi-Fi is enabled on 3DS and connected to the same network as your receiving device.
- Reboot 3DS and external display device if still no signal.
Choppy or Distorted Video
- For wireless streaming, interference can disrupt the video feed. Move closer to your wireless router for a stronger signal.
- Enable Game Mode on your TV which disables post-processing effects that add latency.
- If using a capture card, try updating its firmware to the latest version for performance fixes.
No Audio or Low Volume
- Double check all analog and HDMI audio cables are properly connected.
- Adjust volume settings on your TV, AV receiver, and the 3DS system itself.
- Change audio output mode in your capture card‘s settings if available.
Carefully going through basic troubleshooting steps like those above will help narrow down any screen mirroring issues.
Capture Card Brand Comparison
There are a few leading brands manufacturing internal capture cards for the 3DS:
| Brand | Price | Video Quality | Lag | Ease of Install |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DXCapture | $$$ | 1080p HDMI | Ultra Low | Hard |
| Katsukitty | $$ | 720p HDMI | Low | Medium |
| Loopy | $ | 480p Component | Medium | Easy |
As shown above, higher video quality and lower lag comes at the cost of higher prices and trickier installation. Loopy offers an entry-level option trading off top-end performance for ease of use. Consider your budget, technical skill, and performance needs when selecting a capture card model.
Recording 3DS Gameplay Footage
Once you have your 3DS video feed outputted to an external display, you‘ll likely want to record clips of your gameplay. Here are some good options for capturing footage:
- HDMI Game Capture Devices – Excellent quality, records raw gameplay video.
- PC Screen Recording Software – Convenient but lower quality than direct feeds.
- Camera Recording – Quick and easy but compressed quality.
- Capture Cards with SD Recording – Built-in recording but limited quality and space.
Dedicated external game capture hardware like Elgato or AVerMedia products give the best results by tapping directly into HDMI without any PC compression. Software tools like OBS Studio are handy for casual users but compress the video.
Overall for optimal quality, use a passthrough HDMI capture device to record untouched gameplay footage from your 3DS.
Controller Options for TV Gaming
When playing your 3DS on a TV, you have a few options for controllers:
- 3DS Touch Screen – Directly control the game using the 3DS lower screen as a controller view, even while displayed on TV.
- Pro Controller – Wireless controllers like the Switch Pro Controller pair easily with 3DS capture cards for big screen gaming.
- Wired Controller – Lag-free inputs using a physically wired controller into a connected PC or console.
The 3DS lower touch screen as a controller is convenient for casual big-screen play. For a true living room experience, a wireless Pro Controller paired to your capture card works great. Avoid wireless Joy-Cons due to potential lag.
For competitive gaming, a wired controller is ideal to eliminate any wireless latency. This fully unlocks the performance potential when outputting your 3DS gameplay to a low-lag external display.
Installing CFW for Video Output
To enable wireless video streaming on an unmodified 3DS, you‘ll need to install Custom Firmware (CFW) which adds functionality not officially supported by Nintendo:
- Check your 3DS firmware version, ensure it can be soft modded.
- Follow the step-by-step guide carefully to flash CFW like Luma3DS.
- Safely follow all precautions to limit the risk of bricking.
- Customize settings and install add-ons like wireless streaming apps.
CFW can be risky if the installation goes wrong, so be cautious and patient when hacking your system. But once set up properly, enables convenient wireless big-screen gaming through homebrew add-ons.
How Capture Cards Tap Into 3DS Video Output
Internally, capture cards physically connect to the 3DS GPU and processor to siphon the raw video signal before it heads to the built-in screens:
- The PICA200 graphics chip renders the 3D/2D game graphics and UI as pixel data.
- Capture cards install a bridge cable that taps into the display output pins of the PICA200.
- This captured video feed is then converted and transmitted over HDMI or other outputs.
By catching the video right as it leaves the GPU, capture cards acquire a clean, uncompressed feed superior to wireless streaming screen mirroring. This does require intricate installation work to link the board to these internal display lines however.
Comparing Latency of Video Output Methods
To measure and compare the laginess of different 3DS video output techniques, let‘s examine some real world metrics:
As demonstrated in the chart above, direct wired capture cards achieve extremely low sub-1ms latency perfect for lag-free gaming. Wireless streaming clocks in around 200-400ms – quite noticeable during fast-paced gameplay.
Ideal Display and Audio Setups for 3DS Gaming
For the optimal big-screen 3DS experience, here are some recommendations for TV and audio gear:
- Low-lag Monitor – Sub-10ms input lag for responsive controls.
- Game Mode Enabled – Disables distracting post-processing effects.
- External Speakers – Avoid TV speakers, use a sound system.
- Surround System – Fully immerse yourself with 5.1 surround sound.
- Headphones – For private late night 3DS gaming.
Testing your display input lag, reducing video processing, and utilizing high-end audio gear helps unlock the full potential of your upscaled 3DS gameplay on the big screen.
Is It Worth Outputting 3DS to a TV?
Getting your 3DS gameplay onto a TV takes some effort, but offers a more immersive and social experience:
- Big Screen Real Estate – Enjoy panoramic views of your favorite 3DS games.
- Enhanced Audio – External sound systems vastly improve game audio.
- Multiplayer Appeal – Share the fun with friends and family on a larger screen.
- Screen Recording – Capture your gameplay and make videos to post online.
With the convenience of handheld play as well, it‘s worth setting up your 3DS for both personal and shared big-screen gaming and enjoyment.
Hopefully this detailed guide covered all you need to know about connecting your Nintendo 3DS to an external TV, projector or monitor for some enhanced big-screen portable gameplay! Let me know if you have any other questions.
