Optimizing Nintendo Switch Video and Audio Settings for TV Gaming
In this article, I step through each applicable video and audio setting on my original Nintendo Switch system in order to list them here and briefly discuss the basis for how each should be set. Going forward, I intend to capture my game play at the highest practical quality. In contrast to the same task that I performed for my PlayStation 3 system, this review for the Nintendo Switch is easier. Only three available settings are applicable. They are "TV Resolution", "RGB Range", and "TV Sound", which I explore below. Again, I consider the pertinent capabilities of my Magewell USB Capture HDMI Plus capture card and TV being used for display.
TV Resolution
The first applicable setting is "TV Resolution" in the "TV Settings" list. Modern TVs should be able to support all three of the Nintendo Switch's video output resolutions (i.e., 480p, 720p, and 1080p). This is set to "Automatic".
RGB Range
The next setting is "RGB Range" in the "TV Settings" list. The
available options are "Automatic", "Full Range", and "Limited Range".
For RGB video signals, the range of the color scale that is input to
the TV must depend on the TV in use. A limited RGB output signal
represents each color in an intensity gradient of 16 to 235 and is
traditionally the only range supported by TVs. A full RGB output
signal is in the range of 0 to 255 and is the typical range used by
computers. This is set to "Full Range" on my Nintendo Switch, since
this is supported by my capture card. Additionally, my TV likely supports the full RGB color space as
well.
TV Sound
Finally, there is the "TV Sound" setting in the "TV Settings"
list. The available options are "Automatic", "Surround Sound",
"Stereo", and "Mono". This is set to "Stereo" for the same reasons my PS3 system is set to output stereo
sound. Surround sound output needs a receiving device that
supports Linear PCM 5.1.
