Steam link and comfy couch is a POS

Stealth X Hawk · May 28, 2018

Errors, controllers not working, Xbox guide button not opening steam big picture, games not recognizing the controller, scaling issues on TV's, bullshit driver support, bad performance on a 250$ router, ignorant jumping through hoops like disabling Xbox guide or some crap, having to use beta for certain situations and then beta fucking up everything else so having to revert back but then unable to use certain features (VR issues).

I'm so sick of PC gaming and steam link and computers in general I'm about to toss this crap in the trash. Having been primarily a PC gamer I've switched to Xbox because I have kids and a family and it's easier to game without having to dedicate my face infront of a computer screen. I wanted to start playing my steam library on my couch so I can sit with the family and play games or hold the baby and play, or hell even play multiplayer games with my other kids... But this shit is a nightmare..

Anyone else have severe issues with steam link and comfy couch gaming on PC????

The Almighty Tria · May 28, 2018

My Steam Link works flawlessly when hooked up with an ethernet cable, which is probably your problem. Literally all I had to do to set up was plug and play.

Deleted member 2620 · May 28, 2018

weird, I had an insanely shitty experience when I first tried it around release but it's been GREAT for me lately. Supports any controller I throw at it (Switch Pro etc) and is shockingly responsive and high quality.

Not perfect, but as good as I could hope for streaming.

cowboyblobemoji · May 28, 2018

i just hooked my pc up to my tv. i use in home streaming to my laptop when i want to comfy bed game

GrimBorne · May 28, 2018

I tried playing Darksiders remastered with Steam Link and the screen was full of artifacts, washed out graphics and sound problems. Sound problems! Like I was playing in MS Dos or something. I tossed it somewhere and never used it again.

The PC crowd will try to deny your experience and blame you for your problems not their beloved PC.

ignata · May 28, 2018

The Almighty Tria said:
My Steam Link works flawlessly when hooked up with an ethernet cable, which is probably your problem. Literally all I had to do to set up was plug and play.

Yeah the difference with an Ethernet cable is huge. I haven't had any issues since. Now if Apple would approve the Steam Link app I'd stop using Moonlight and really get a lot of use out of that box.

StereoVSN · May 28, 2018

I have a long HDMI cable for my office/game room TV (where my game PC is located) and I have a small form factor PC (Alienware Alpha) for the upstairs which works just fine for wireless streaming.

Note that I do have a pretty good mesh WiFi setup.

Edit: Forgot to add that I do have Steamlink upstairs and it does ok but does have some graphical artifacts and latency sometimes.

hijukal · May 28, 2018

I have two Steam Links: one on 2GHz wireless which works ok, and other using a 5GHz wireless bridge, which works great. I also play less taking games using Moonlight on an iPad with no major issues.

Support with some games isn't always great, but given what it's doing and that many aren't designed to be used that way, I can deal.

jediyoshi · May 28, 2018

Stealth X Hawk said:
Errors, controllers not working, Xbox guide button not opening steam big picture, games not recognizing the controller, scaling issues on TV's, bullshit driver support, bad performance on a 250$ router, ignorant jumping through hoops like disabling Xbox guide or some crap, having to use beta for certain situations and then beta fucking up everything else so having to revert back but then unable to use certain features (VR issues).

I'm so sick of PC gaming and steam link and computers in general I'm about to toss this crap in the trash. Having been primarily a PC gamer I've switched to Xbox because I have kids and a family and it's easier to game without having to dedicate my face infront of a computer screen. I wanted to start playing my steam library on my couch so I can sit with the family and play games or hold the baby and play, or hell even play multiplayer games with my other kids... But this shit is a nightmare..

Anyone else have severe issues with steam link and comfy couch gaming on PC????

Pretty odd, a lot (most?) of the issues you're attributing directly to Steam Link have nothing to do with it whatsoever. What exactly do you consider Steam Link besides the box and Steam software?

gnomed · May 28, 2018

I just set up a steam link I've had sitting around in the bedroom. I regret not having done it earlier. For games compatible with Big Picture Mode, I hardly had any issues. I just have to remember to run the game first on my PC otherwise I'll get notifications issues.

Now when it comes staring at a screen for certain games, I totally feel you on that part.
I was able to even get Pyschonauts to run with a Nintendo Pro controller. I was surprised to get Battletrch running in BPM. Right now. I was able to get State of Decay 2 to run.

It's been a blessing for me, but not the SO.

Should mention that I'm running Steam Link wired to the router, but the streaming PC is on 5ghz WiFi. I do notice a slight lag on some games, but not enough to my deter me from playing. I'm more surprised that the lag isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Deleted member 388 · May 28, 2018

My PC is hooked directly to my TV and I still have had multiple different issues with Steam and my Xbox controller, resolution changes crashing my PC, etc. Although there were random fixes for the issues, dropping Big Picture Mode and using Controller Companion to swap between emulated controller and xinput resolved everything. Unfortunately, I imagine Steam Link forces you to use Big Picture Mode?

Brazil · May 28, 2018

Ethernet is the way to go, OP. Wifi is garbage.

Berordn · May 28, 2018

GrimBorne said:
I tried playing Darksiders remastered with Steam Link and the screen was full of artifacts, washed out graphics and sound problems. Sound problems! Like I was playing in MS Dos or something. I tossed it somewhere and never used it again.

The PC crowd will try to deny your experience and blame you for your problems not their beloved PC.

I mean, I'm more likely to blame your network than the PC you're using. No streaming solution is ever going to be perfect for every situation.

Moebius · May 28, 2018

Never had your issues with the link. It's awesome. Make sure it's hardwired, that's my advice. I haven't had issues with it detecting controllers either. Are you running the latest firmware? Sometimes it won't properly detect that there's an update and you need to update via a usb stick.

Stealth X Hawk · May 28, 2018

Maybe it's me then :( yea I'm using WiFi, gonna switch to Ethernet and see if that fixes it. I was having major issues where having an Xbox controller plugged into the steam link it would recognize the controller in the steam link interface but when I tried using the Xbox button to open big picture it wouldn't, then I tried to use steam big picture and it kept using the controller as a mouse instead of a controller.... I'm about to give up on it and solely game on my Xbox but I have over 300 games on steam

Dreamboum · May 28, 2018

what's the piece of shit ? The steam link or your couch ?

Stealth X Hawk · May 28, 2018

Dreamboum said:
what's the piece of shit ? The steam link or your couch ?

Ha my couch isn't too bad :) I think...

I meant "comfy couch gaming" for PC lol

OrangeNova · May 28, 2018

Ethernet for Steamlink or bust.

Jerykk · May 28, 2018

Never go wireless for streaming (or gaming in general).

Last_colossi · May 28, 2018

I totally understand your frustration but yeah it's the wifi.

Once you switch both the PC and Steam Link to Ethernet it's like having a HDMI cable hooked directly up to your PC, I can really vouch for this as I played the entirety of RE7 (my first playthrough as well) on my Steam Link with an Xbox One controller hooked up through Bluetooth. I honestly forgot multiple times that I was even playing through a stream.

neon_dream · May 28, 2018

You definitely want ethernet for Steam Link.

Other than that, I can't say I've ever had any of those issues. Steam Link is pretty awesome. I've never had any resolution or controller problems or errors of any kind. And driver support? Like what? I can't remember the last time any of my PCs had driver problems. Like, many many years.

Kapryov · May 28, 2018

It was pretty shitty when I first set it up, but that was with WiFi to see what was going to happen.
Dragged a nice long ethernet cable out and now it's pretty much flawless. I was playing King of Fighters 2002 UM a couple of months ago against the CPU to test input delay.

tommy7154 · May 28, 2018

Yeah I literally threw my Steam Link in the garbage. Trying to use it via wi-fi is pointless. Why include it if its not actually an option? Complete waste of $15.

Anustart · May 28, 2018

Use it on WiFi and it's been great. No issues what so ever.

Coolade · May 28, 2018

If anything buy a powerline network adapter so you can hardwire your steamlink instead of using Wi-Fi

Altera · May 28, 2018

I have a very nice TV and my PC is pretty decent. I tried Steam link and it's just a poor experience. It looks terrible on my TV (which is much more expensive and nicer than my monitor) and there's always just a bit of lag. Yes, it's connected via ethernet.

Honestly, it's a hassle. Playing PC on my TV is a nice dream, but with how lackluster it is, I'll just stick to console when I want to play in the living room. It's just easier and works better.

OrangeNova · May 28, 2018

Coolade said:
If anything buy a powerline network adapter so you can hardwire your steamlink instead of using Wi-Fi

I did exactly this! It's so good.

Patch13 · May 28, 2018

Stealth X Hawk said:
Maybe it's me then :( yea I'm using WiFi, gonna switch to Ethernet and see if that fixes it. I was having major issues where having an Xbox controller plugged into the steam link it would recognize the controller in the steam link interface but when I tried using the Xbox button to open big picture it wouldn't, then I tried to use steam big picture and it kept using the controller as a mouse instead of a controller.... I'm about to give up on it and solely game on my Xbox but I have over 300 games on steam

It's not just you. Going with Ethernet for at least one half of the setup will help, but you're still going to have unpredictable results with controller support if you have any sort of variety in your gaming diet. I've generally found it to be fun to tinker with getting streaming working. But you can't beat a console when you just want to kick back and play a game.

Deleted member 10852 · May 28, 2018

im using WiFi 5Ghz in my bed, played rocket league, la noire, pubg with steam controller im using WiFi analyzer app for best channel and works amazing.
im not using vr, the most complex maybe dsr 4k to 1080p, using xbox one controller in my main pc.

Sugarshak · May 28, 2018

I didn't spend a million dollars on a PC to play games on a comfy couch.

Blayde · May 28, 2018

Pc gaming is a pain in the ass. I moved to console only starting with ps4.

Stealth X Hawk · May 28, 2018

Sugarshak said:
I didn't spend a million dollars on a PC to play games on a comfy couch.

But it's so nice.. lol

Jarsonot · May 28, 2018

Works great for me as well, wired in. I think headaches are the big CON on the PC experience, with a whole lot of PROs. =)

Bjones · May 28, 2018

I've got three and have no problems with any of them. I also have them connected to 2 different PCs.

WillyTheBikeGuy · May 28, 2018

Seems like a problem on your end, OP. Works great over here!

Xeonidus · May 28, 2018

Works great for me. PC is in basement and steamlink hooks up to living room tv. The only issue I have is that windows 10 severely limits my bandwith when it wakes up from sleep mode. I just need to unplug and replug the ethernet plug from the router and its smooth again. That's not really a steamlink problem though.

I have a ps4 as well and it is more convenient with a 1 year old at home but I wouldn't say the steamlink experience would put me off couch pc gaming.

Deleted member 27751 · May 28, 2018

GrimBorne said:
I tried playing Darksiders remastered with Steam Link and the screen was full of artifacts, washed out graphics and sound problems. Sound problems! Like I was playing in MS Dos or something. I tossed it somewhere and never used it again.

The PC crowd will try to deny your experience and blame you for your problems not their beloved PC.

I mean, you can either blame the tools or the user its up to you. If there are that many severe issues happening with OP it sounds like more to do with actual hardware/software issues then just Steam Link because that for the most part is just a middleman on streaming. Honestly, I just plugged mine in and for the most part its flawless on the games I choose. Obviously some aren't aimed at controller gameplay so need tweaks but that's where the Steam Controller comes in to fill that hardware gap.

Deleted member 3010 · May 28, 2018

Sugarshak said:
I didn't spend a million dollars on a PC to play games on a comfy couch.

You say that, but it's a great combo.

Deleted member 32726 · May 28, 2018

I have had great experiences with Ethernet and a 5ghz band. You just don't understand home networking. Not your fault, it's theirs for not properly introducing consumers to concept and having them deal with the rude awakening after already buying one.

truncated_pachyderm · May 28, 2018

tommy7154 said:
Yeah I literally threw my Steam Link in the garbage. Trying to use it via wi-fi is pointless. Why include it if its not actually an option? Complete waste of $15.

Many accounts of people using it over WiFi with success. I'll add to those accounts.

Networks are extremely variable, especially when you consider environmental factors like interference.

Maybe it didn't work well for you but don't speak for the rest of us.

GrimBorne said:
I tried playing Darksiders remastered with Steam Link and the screen was full of artifacts, washed out graphics and sound problems. Sound problems! Like I was playing in MS Dos or something. I tossed it somewhere and never used it again.

The PC crowd will try to deny your experience and blame you for your problems not their beloved PC.

Salty much? I don't think anyone here is going to blame issues on the OP himself, but rather suggest causes so he can isolate them. Are we supposed to agree with OP that Steam Link and PC gaming are trash, when many of us have experiences counter to that? Chill out bro.

Rbz · May 28, 2018

My (extremely first world problem) frustration with the steam link is getting a game running from a PC that is off or asleep. You can't use the steam link to wake the PC from power off, only from sleep. But when Windows 10 wakes from sleep, it presents a lock screen that can only be removed by clicking a login button, even if you only have a single, default user account with no password. I tried registry hacks to disable it, no dice. So the dance is either that I walk downstairs, power on the PC, make sure steam opens, then go back upstairs, or that I turn on the steam link and wake my pc, go downstairs to click through the login screen, then back upstairs to play.

It's annoying enough that I purchase multi platform games on consoles now unless there is an extremely compelling reason (more than just graphical fidelity).

How has nobody else mentioned this?

Sirank · May 28, 2018

Stealth X Hawk said:
Anyone else have severe issues with steam link and comfy couch gaming on PC????

Personally I haven't had any comfy couch issues. I don't use steam link or big picture (although I do have a steam link I got when they were $5 a while back but never tried it) just a small form factor mini itx gaming/htpc next to the consoles hooked directly to the TV. With a cheap wireless keyboard and xbox controller.

Actually I just yesterday I turned on My PS4 for the first time in a month or 2 to play Yakuza and was going through installing and updating all the apps and it was slllllooooowdown and crashed app city. Where as my PC I can always be downloading a million things, playing a game with 15 browser tabs open, discord, a hundred other things and it's always lightning quick loading, snappy and stable. It's kinda jarring switching to consoles when I do.

gnoclaude · May 28, 2018

Tried over wifi and it was washed out and dull looking. If I plug the steam link directly into my router and have my PC use wifi will it be any better? It's not a big issue since I have multiple systems, laptop, handhelds, but it would be nice to have working. My router is downstairs and my PC is upstairs but not too far apart.

Cap G · May 28, 2018

I dont have many problems other than big picture being a massive piece of shit. The community themselves saved the day with every problem I had with the controller, but sadly they can't overwrite Valve's utter incompetence with the clunky, sluggish overlay.

SaintBowWow · May 28, 2018

Yeah it sucks if you're using it as more than a peripheral to play games on the couch occasionally. I see it touted as a way to make your PC a pure comfy couch machine and that's BS. Any issues turn into such a headache when you have to figure out of the issue is on your PC, the Steam Link, or the network. Plus it's a compressed 1080p that looks more like a YouTube video than a native game, and I didn't spend over a grand on a PC to play compressed video.

Plus I've always found the frame rate to be really weird on it. Even if it says I'm getting a solid 60 it just feels way off.

Ge0force · May 29, 2018

Works fine here using a powerline connection.

Poimandres · May 29, 2018

GrimBorne said:
The PC crowd will try to deny your experience and blame you for your problems not their beloved PC.

"The PC crowd" hey. Seems like a pretty balanced thread so far. Maybe the PC crowd haven't arrived yet?

Anyway, I found it pretty bad over wireless but wired I haven't had any issues (outside of Forza Horizon 3 not playing nice, but that's more of a Windows problem).

In fact, for the cheap price I paid I'm super happy with it!

Horned Reaper · May 29, 2018

I feel you OP. There's a reason consoles are still as relevant as they are. The responses as to how to possibly fix the problem illustrate this better than anything. It's way more trouble shooting then its worth it for most people

Unicorn · May 29, 2018

Lots of tinkering. If tinkering isn't part of the appeal to gaming for you, this will be a cumbersome and uncomfortable experience.

It's hit or miss without a standard baseline like a console provides.

Pixieking · May 29, 2018

It's debatable if paying full price for one is worth it over an HDMI connection to TV from a gaming PC, but for what I paid (£5/$7), it's been fantastic. However, ethernet is the way to go. I've got PC ethernet connected to router, and Steam Link ethernet connected to router - playing Dark Souls Remastered though Steam Link has been like playing it on my gaming PC. Wireless will always be worse than Wired in situations like this, unfortunately.

Steam link and comfy couch is a POS

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