Console/Gaming Mode - Set External Monitor Resolution/Refresh?

[Schneider(9er) Zero]

It appears that there is simply no way to specify the resolution and refresh rate output of the steam deck to external monitors while in the 'gaming mode' (rather than desktop mode).

My Steam Deck will default on my tv to 4k30.. which seemingly adds an INSANE amount of input lag while gaming, whether im using a Bluetooth controller or the built in controls. Is that the same experience everyone else is getting? The only way I've been able to fluidly game on the Steam Deck (with my tv) is to go into Desktop mode and manually set the resolution to 1080p@120... then everything feels great.

Is there any hope that we will be able to specify the external monitor output while in gaming mode in the future?

[davidprieto]

I assume they will add that feature before they release the official dock at the end of Spring.

[Goblin King David Bowie]

While I'm running into the same issue, there're three things to check here:

1. Does your USB-C hub support 4k@60?
   
2. Is your HDMI cable 2.0 or higher?
   
3. Is your monitor/tv's input HDMI 2.0 or higher?

It's very possible the bottleneck exists apart from the Deck.
The short is that HDMI 1.x only supports 4k up to 30Hz, and very many budget USB-C hubs only 4k@30.

I had to order a new cable because I can't confirm (2) on my own devices, and will update with my experience tomorrow or Wednesday when I have it.

[NarDarkk]

I'm running into the same problem, while what goblin says may be true, my budget usb-c hub may not be cappable to support 4k60, I'd like to have the option change the resolution output to have 60 frames or more on Gaming Mode. The lack of this simple option that the steam deck HAS on desktop mode its what keeping me of enjoying steam deck docked on my TV and couch, thanks for your increible work steam deck devs!

[toidi]

Similar issue here, I have a cheapish 4k60fps hub, the problem I have is the deck somehow detects my tv at 600x800, this causes a blank screen in the deck and tv. It does the same in desktop mode but the tv stayed on, allowing me to manually set it to 1080p.

The lack of resolution setting in game mode is going to cause a whole lot of problems for a lot of people going forward.

[Goblin King David Bowie]

For me it was the old HDMI cable.
Got the new one this morning and can now play at 4k 60Hz in game mode.

Was curious to see that the refresh rate configuration follows thru to my external monitor - I can configure 40-60Hz through the quick settings on my TV.
Which is pretty neat, but I'll have to remember to switch rates between docked/mobile.

For the record I'm using an Anker 310 usb-c to hdmi adapter.

[Schneider(9er) Zero]

Originally posted by NarDarkk:

I'm running into the same problem, while what goblin says may be true, my budget usb-c hub may not be cappable to support 4k60, I'd like to have the option change the resolution output to have 60 frames or more on Gaming Mode. The lack of this simple option that the steam deck HAS on desktop mode its what keeping me of enjoying steam deck docked on my TV and couch, thanks for your increible work steam deck devs!

If you go into desktop mode and use xrandr commands.. you can manually set it and play with big picture mode. Decent workaround for now.

[Schneider(9er) Zero]

Originally posted by Goblin King David Bowie:

While I'm running into the same issue, there're three things to check here:

1. Does your USB-C hub support 4k@60?
   
2. Is your HDMI cable 2.0 or higher?
   
3. Is your monitor/tv's input HDMI 2.0 or higher?

It's very possible the bottleneck exists apart from the Deck.
The short is that HDMI 1.x only supports 4k up to 30Hz, and very many budget USB-C hubs only 4k@30.

I had to order a new cable because I can't confirm (2) on my own devices, and will update with my experience tomorrow or Wednesday when I have it.

These are all fair questions and thanks for your reply.
Regardless of the answer, I hope we still get the option to manually change these options inside of gaming mode!

[kyle]

I have the same issue with these Personal cinema glasses: https://www.nreal.ai/air/
They link at 1080p/60Hz or even 720-800p/60Hz just fine when I use the deck in desktop mode. (Whether I use them to mirror the built-in display or not.) But in gaming mode they always link at 30Hz and disable the built-in display (The latter part is exactly what I want.)

[Roekoee]

Originally posted by kyle:

I have the same issue with these Personal cinema glasses: https://www.nreal.ai/air/
They link at 1080p/60Hz or even 720-800p/60Hz just fine when I use the deck in desktop mode. (Whether I use them to mirror the built-in display or not.) But in gaming mode they always link at 30Hz and disable the built-in display (The latter part is exactly what I want.)

Yep, same exact issue. I really hope they figure out a way to have some settings for display out in the game mode. It seems weird 30hz is forced at any time. I've seen feature updates stating the game mode should output always at 1280x800p60hz or 1280x720p60hz. This would be a fine solution, but it doesn't seem to be happening for these glasses, as they default to 1080p30hz.

[Schneider(9er) Zero]

Just for everyone here... I've been using Big Picture inside of Desktop mode and then using the following commands to manually verify and set the resolution/hz of the monitor/tv its hooked up to.


xrandr -q (verified the external tv can support a specific res/hz)

xrandr --output DisplayPort-0 --mode 1920x1080 --rate 60.00

[Drowhunter]

Just got my deck , I also noticed that in game mode it seems to default to 30hz, which I can verify on my samsung tv.

In desktop mode it switches to 60, but only if i choose a resolution less than 4k. (1440p)

[Schneider(9er) Zero]

Originally posted by drowhunter:

Just got my deck , I also noticed that in game mode it seems to default to 30hz, which I can verify on my samsung tv.

In desktop mode it switches to 60, but only if i choose a resolution less than 4k. (1440p)

Yeah.. the deck seems to default in gaming mode to the highest resolution setting and then its highest refresh rate of that resolution. Again, with a simple flick of a button this could be remedied in a future update.

[Drowhunter]

Originally posted by Schneider(9er):

Originally posted by drowhunter:

Just got my deck , I also noticed that in game mode it seems to default to 30hz, which I can verify on my samsung tv.

In desktop mode it switches to 60, but only if i choose a resolution less than 4k. (1440p)

Yeah.. the deck seems to default in gaming mode to the highest resolution setting and then its highest refresh rate .

Yeah I just figured that out and came here to post that, but you beat me to it.

Upon plugging in my deck to the usb. I noticed that the tv OSD says I was running at 4K/30hz.

If there was some way to force Game mode resolution to run at 1440p or less I would be getting 60hz.

[Schneider(9er) Zero]

Originally posted by drowhunter:

Originally posted by Schneider(9er):

Yeah.. the deck seems to default in gaming mode to the highest resolution setting and then its highest refresh rate .

Yeah I just figured that out and came here to post that, but you beat me to it.

Upon plugging in my deck to the usb. I noticed that the tv OSD says I was running at 4K/30hz.

If there was some way to force Game mode resolution to run at 1440p or less I would be getting 60hz.

I sure hope they make this a reality.... for now im just going into desktop mode and launching big picture,as mentioned above.

[Jaycee]

I'm gonna piggyback onto this thread, since what I'm facing is very similar.

More than adjusting resolution/refresh rate, the gaming mode seemingly also lacks the option to choose which external display to output to.

I have a multi monitor setup which I often connect a laptop to via a USB-C hub.
Over the years I have come to appreciate having one monitor in Portrait orientation (for reading articles etc.), but when connecting the steam deck, it only outputs to that monitor in gaming mode.
I have no problem choosing the other monitor (or both) in desktop mode, but these settings don't persist when switching back.

Definitely think this is an oversight which should be fixed alongside your issues.