Steam Link as a media center (instead of Chromecast for example)

[HappyPinkFlower]

Hello, I wanted to ask you guys (and girls) whether Steam Link will be good as a media center. I want to use it to stream from my PC. For example Netflix, Prime Video, Showmax etc. I would like to use it instead of Chromecast.

• The only problem is I have to use it wirelessly. My PC is connected to the router with Ethernet cable but Steam Link won't be, it will connect to the router wirelessly, also my TV doesn't have any Internet connection (no wifi).
  
  My wifi connection is around ~16Mb/s
  
  
• I thought about Steam Link option for some reasons - first, I can get Steam Link really cheap/free. Second, I've heard that you can literally stream your PC Desktop through Steam Link and/or use apps like Chrome etc.
  BTW: I also have PS3m but I am limited to it's bad browser and only few apps (no Showmax i.e.).

[Limp Squirrel]

I have tried this before, but unlike Chromecast, Steam Link just mirrors your desktop through Steam's Big Picture Mode. To run things like Netflix, you;d have to exit Steam during streaming, open a browser, and go to Netflix. The streaming performance in that case is pretty terrible. It would generally freeze up after a minute or so.

I have a 200 Mbps wired connection, so I can imagine it'd be worse on a 16 Mbps wireless link.

Unless there is a better solution for this now?

[Cim]

You can stream your desktop to the Steam Link, that works just fine. So you could watch anything that you can on your computer.

I wouldn't recommend you get one unless your Wifi is exceptional though. Unlike a Chromecast that's designed for video playback, the Steam Link doesn't buffer things the same way. It simply wouldn't work for gaming purposes if it did. So if your connection has a hiccup (as Wifi tends to do), it instantly results in the stream stuttering. This is why a wired connection is generally recommended for use with the Link.

Originally posted by Squidcake:

I have tried this before, but unlike Chromecast, Steam Link just mirrors your desktop through Steam's Big Picture Mode. To run things like Netflix, you;d have to exit Steam during streaming, open a browser, and go to Netflix. The streaming performance in that case is pretty terrible. It would generally freeze up after a minute or so.

I have a 200 Mbps wired connection, so I can imagine it'd be worse on a 16 Mbps wireless link.

Unless there is a better solution for this now?

There is, don't close Steam when streaming. Just minimize it instead and the performance should be how you'd want it.

[Gizmo]

Works fine for streaming kodi from pc

[HappyPinkFlower]

Thank you guys for your detailed info. Nothing comes free in life then, as always... :P

[saulveloz]

Originally posted by GizmoChumb:

Works fine for streaming kodi from pc

agree

[Lurifix]

Best as a secondary media device imo. I use my PS4 for Youtube, Netflix, HBO Nordic and local media through Plex, and the Steam Link mostly for Kodi. Works well, but I am using a fully wired connection between computer and Steam Link.

Also, as mentioned, Netflix on Steam Link can only be used through a browser, and if nothing has changed since I last looked into it a few months ago, you can't get better quality than 720p.

[Spaz Unite]

Actually, you can install apps on the Steam Link. I have Kodi installed on it, but I can't find the how-to anywhere now.

[saulveloz]

Originally posted by Spaz Unite:

Actually, you can install apps on the Steam Link. I have Kodi installed on it, but I can't find the how-to anywhere now.

I think this is the thread
https://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/1/451850849186712370/

[_I_]

http://www.google.com/search?q=steam+link+kodi

it remains installed even after link software updates