Genki ShadowCast review: Niche use

Made by the same folks who brought us the excellent Genki Audio and Genki Covert Dock, the Genki ShadowCast is a capture card designed to let you use your laptop display or PC monitor as a screen for your Nintendo Switch. It also works great as a capture card to let you hook up a DSLR or mirrorless camera to use as a webcam. Doing so will make you look crazy clear in video meetings.

Quick specs

HDMI input of 4K/30fps or 1080p/60fps
USB output resolution of 1080p/30fps or 720p/60fp
Color depth of 9/10/12-bit deep color
Compatible with Nintendo Switch, Sony Playstation 3/4/5, Xbox Series X, SNES mini

The ShadowCast is a simple dongle with a HDMI-out on one end, and a USB-C input on the other. It also comes with a USB-C cable, and you can buy a package with a USB-A converter, too. Simply plug the dongle into your Nintendo Switch dock, or the Genki Covert Dock, the USB-C cable into your laptop or PC, and you're all set. You will need to download the Genki Arcade app, which works like a video recording software to display the Switch's output.

From the app, you can choose to select between resolution or performance, or input the Konami Code (↑↑↓↓←→←→BA) to access more detailed options. It's a cool easter egg, but annoying when you have to keep entering it every time you use the app. You can choose from a gamut of resolutions and frame rates, but I found the smoothest performance at 720p and 60fps. At 1080p, you're capped at 30fps — 60fps will see you lagging. It's likely dependent on your game, as well. The Arcade app also lets you record gameplay for later.

My console is connected to my TV, so I don't really have much use for the ShadowCast now. However, if and when travel opens up again, I'd be more than happy to use the ShadowCast and my laptop for gaming in hotel rooms. Besides letting you stream from the Switch, the ShadowCast also works as a video capture card. I've been using it to connect my Sony mirrorless camera to use as a webcam. You may need to get an additional HDMI converter depending on your camera, such as one for Mini HDMI.

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Retailing at S$69.80 locally, the Genki ShadowCast is really a niche buy. You can find cheaper video capture cards. Since you need a dock to use with the ShadowCast, your best option is the Genki Covert Dock. But unless you're travelling, you won't need it. Get the ShadowCast from Shopee (where it's at S$61), or Lazada, Amazon SG, and Amazon US.

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