Simplicity
Setup is easy. Just connect your Steam Link to your TV and home network, where it will automatically discover any computer running Steam. All that’s left to do is grab your favorite controller, kick back, and enjoy your collection of games from the comfort of your couch.
Performance
Steam Link is designed to take advantage of the horsepower you already have in your home, streaming from your current gaming computer by mirroring its experience to your TV. Video and audio data is sent from your computer to the Steam Link, while your controller input is sent back in real time. Virtually every game that your computer runs can be played on your TV using Steam Link.
That is not a simple question to answer unfortunately. A lot depends on the games you are going to play.
Its biggest advantage is you can program nearly everything on it and it has a gyroscope control and two pads that work a lot like laptop mouse pads.
So if you play a lot of mouse driven games then programming one of the pads to emulate a mouse is great. And something that is not really possible on a normal xbox controller. Similar for using the gyro to emulate a steering wheel etc.
Also you can program controls like the paddles to switch over the controls on the rest of the pad to a different program. So you can emulate a huge variety of buttons and controls. Which is virtually essential for something Elite Dangerous.
But this is also its downside. there are lots of pre-built profiles on steam and you have to find the one that suits you. Also creating your own programme (or customising a pre-built one) could take quite a bit of trial and error.
But, in my opinion, many games that are not designed for a control pad are only playable by either using the steam controller or by adding a keyboard and mouse, which can be a pain on the sofa.
Joe90_guy
11 May 173#4
Thank you kind sir. Looks like I'm good to go.
All comments (66)
stoneblade
11 May 171#1
Was holding off buying on ebay for this deal to come back, thanks for spotting op heat added.
Joe90_guy
11 May 17#2
Silly question...
Do I need to specifically use the Steam Link controller or can I simply use my XBox controller plugged into my laptop?
The reason I ask is because my lad bought me GTA V for Christmas. However I found it impossible to play on my laptop with a keyboard & mouse (especially the driving bits). So he bought me an XBox controller and that works fine but I don't like using it because it feels like there's not enough distance between the controller and the screen. I'm thinking using a controller with the laptop hooked up to my 42" TV might might feel more natural. This Steam Link thingee sounds like it's something that will sort me out.
johnthehuman to Joe90_guy
11 May 17#14
Why don't you just plug the laptop into the telly (via HDMI), and the controller into the laptop?
pheyshunt1 to Joe90_guy
11 May 17#15
I used an xbox controller on it, it's just harder when it comes to mouse games and trying to type.
Joshimitsu91 to Joe90_guy
11 May 17#20
Why don't you plug your laptop directly into the TV?
ocelot20 to Joe90_guy
11 May 17#37
If your laptop has an HDMI port. You can plug that into the TV and just use it like a normal PC. This thing eliminates the need to plug the laptop into the TV. But it 100% rely on your internet connection. I had one I have decent internet for simple platforming indie games it was fine. For FPS games I suffered with micro stuttering which was a little unplayable for me.
Oh...one last (again silly) question. Would I be right in thinking that Steam Link DOESN'T work for games that run via UPlay & Origin??? If not, is there a similar box that does all three??
timb999 to Joe90_guy
11 May 17#7
You can add non Steam games to Steam, so yes, some other games will work, but there is no guarantee.
I added the Origin launcher to Steam, and got Titanfall 2 working over the Steam Link with no issues, but that's the only non Steam game I have tried so far.
These boxes are awesome...I was sceptical as to whether there would be lag/glitches, but I have had very minimal issues...it really is like playing a console. However, a wired connection is recommended over wireless. I am using a Homeplug which works great.
BuzzDuraband
11 May 175#6
You're going to think I'm just throwing links at you now (p.s I am :smile: )
Anybody know if this works with the official XBOX 360 controllers but a 3rd party receiver?
(The receiver requires manual driver installation on windows so I'm unsure, could never get them working on a Fire TV)
Thanks,
iLikeDiscount to chris_avfc
11 May 17#10
I have a knock off ebay one, worked fine.
iLikeDiscount
11 May 17#9
Scenario: Xbox One in the lounge – streaming to Asrock N3700-ITX in the study (running windows 10 and on 24/7, silent) via Xbox App, install Steam, add Xbox App to Steam Library via UWPHook – then stream from Xbox One to Steam Link in the bedroom via the computer in the study. All hard wired, no wireless. I cannot confirm if this will work but I have all the pieces to try. Or should I not waste my time?
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Opening post
[Steam Controller]
Stream your games to your TV with Steam Link
Simplicity
Setup is easy. Just connect your Steam Link to your TV and home network, where it will automatically discover any computer running Steam. All that’s left to do is grab your favorite controller, kick back, and enjoy your collection of games from the comfort of your couch.
Performance
Steam Link is designed to take advantage of the horsepower you already have in your home, streaming from your current gaming computer by mirroring its experience to your TV. Video and audio data is sent from your computer to the Steam Link, while your controller input is sent back in real time. Virtually every game that your computer runs can be played on your TV using Steam Link.
Top comments
List of compatible controllers with Steam Link
How to Stream Your Desktop and Non-Steam Games with Steam Link
Its biggest advantage is you can program nearly everything on it and it has a gyroscope control and two pads that work a lot like laptop mouse pads.
So if you play a lot of mouse driven games then programming one of the pads to emulate a mouse is great. And something that is not really possible on a normal xbox controller. Similar for using the gyro to emulate a steering wheel etc.
Also you can program controls like the paddles to switch over the controls on the rest of the pad to a different program. So you can emulate a huge variety of buttons and controls. Which is virtually essential for something Elite Dangerous.
But this is also its downside. there are lots of pre-built profiles on steam and you have to find the one that suits you. Also creating your own programme (or customising a pre-built one) could take quite a bit of trial and error.
But, in my opinion, many games that are not designed for a control pad are only playable by either using the steam controller or by adding a keyboard and mouse, which can be a pain on the sofa.
All comments (66)
Do I need to specifically use the Steam Link controller or can I simply use my XBox controller plugged into my laptop?
The reason I ask is because my lad bought me GTA V for Christmas. However I found it impossible to play on my laptop with a keyboard & mouse (especially the driving bits). So he bought me an XBox controller and that works fine but I don't like using it because it feels like there's not enough distance between the controller and the screen. I'm thinking using a controller with the laptop hooked up to my 42" TV might might feel more natural. This Steam Link thingee sounds like it's something that will sort me out.
List of compatible controllers with Steam Link
I added the Origin launcher to Steam, and got Titanfall 2 working over the Steam Link with no issues, but that's the only non Steam game I have tried so far.
These boxes are awesome...I was sceptical as to whether there would be lag/glitches, but I have had very minimal issues...it really is like playing a console. However, a wired connection is recommended over wireless. I am using a Homeplug which works great.
How to Stream Your Desktop and Non-Steam Games with Steam Link
(The receiver requires manual driver installation on windows so I'm unsure, could never get them working on a Fire TV)
Thanks,