Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?

Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?

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There are now several models to choose from when deciding where you want to play the best Switch games. There’s the standard model, the Nintendo Switch OLED, and then the Switch Lite which each have their pros and cons. You don’t have to worry about buying any new games or controllers for any of them, but the Switch Lite doesn’t come with a dock like the others. We already know how to connect the regular switch to a TV, but can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV too? And is it possible to play Switch Lite on a TV using an HDMI cable or other workaround? Here’s everything you need to know about the device.

 

Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?
When you first examine the handheld Nintendo Switch Lite, you’ll notice that it has the same USB-C port as the traditional Nintendo Switch. Looking good so far, right?

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A big misconception is that USB-C supports everything under the sun, including video output. However, it’s just an interface, and the only guaranteed technology is USB 3.2. There’s enough power delivery to use a mouse or some other peripheral, but everything else, from recharging a battery to video output, depends on the device manufacturer.

So, the simple answer is that the Switch Lite cannot output video to an external device. The USB-C port only supports USB 3.2 and power delivery.

For those wanting a more technical answer, though, here it is: The Switch Lite simply doesn’t have the hardware.

Nvidia’s custom Tegra chip inside the traditional Nintendo Switch is an all-in-one solution, combining CPU and GPU cores. As with any other computing device with a built-in screen, this chip uses the DisplayPort protocol to deliver uncompressed video to the console’s integrated display.

However, there’s also a chip on the motherboard — a bi-directional matrix switch — that routes USB 3.2, DisplayPort, and audio output through the USB-C port. According to the specifications, this chip can route a USB 3.2 signal only; two DisplayPort channels and a USB 3.2 lane; or four DisplayPort channels.

When you connect the Nintendo Switch to the dock, a chip within the latter receives the DisplayPort and audio feed and converts it all to HDMI using the older Mobility DisplayPort standard. This data is then sent to the dock’s HDMI out port.

Long story short, the bi-directional matrix switch installed in the traditional Nintendo Switch simply isn’t present in the Lite version. The lack of video output has nothing to do with software.

 

Can the Nintendo Switch Lite be docked?

Yes, but not using the dock supplied with the traditional Nintendo Switch. Again, you must purchase third-party solutions designed to accommodate the Switch Lite’s smaller frame, if you want to take advantage of the many Nintendo Switch games that are more enjoyable to play when docked.

The photo shown above should visually explain why, but here are the dimensions of each (in inches):
The problem here is width. Measure the distance from the inside of the Lite’s left thumbstick to the inside of the right thumbstick, and the result is 6.125 inches — far shorter than the width of Nintendo’s dock.

Because there is no removable Nintendo Switch controller, this model will never fit within the original Nintendo Switch dock without some serious hardware modifications to the latter, namely ripping 0.3125 inches of plastic off each side of the dock’s cradle. That just isn’t practical — not to mention ugly.

The only thing you can use is the standard Switch AC adapter.

For third-party docks designed specifically for the Switch Lite, the Dual USB Playstand By HORI

Dual USB Playstand By HORI

is a great solution. Note that this dock also includes two extra USB-A ports so you can connect wired controllers, like Nintendo’s Pro Controller. This wired connection eliminates the latency associated with wireless controllers while gaming.
Even if you don’t want a dedicated dock, the USB-C port allows the console to connect to a USB hub with multiple ports. You can then pull out the console’s kickstand, connect a few wired controllers, pair a few additional Joy-Cons, and play in tabletop mode. Talk about a party!

Can you stream your Switch Lite to your TV?

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