Using Steamlink as a Virtual Second Screen

[UBDB]

Hi

I would like to request that Steam enables options to choose how and what your Steam Link displays.

Windows 10 already has the option to have multiple virtual desktops that you can tab between. I would suggest that steam could utilise this function. When the setting is turned on, steam will automatically create a new virtual desktop and only stream that desktop. The user on Windows will still be able to switch to that screen as normal, effectively creating the current mirroring function that Steam Link does now, but also allows the user to utilise the host PC for other functions.

For example:
I run steam off my laptop. when I run games, I would use the display connected to the Steam Link. The display on my laptop would then be acting as a secondary display, on which I can run a browser, Excel, or any other normal functions that would normally be run on a second display. I don't mean to use both at the same time but have one cursor that could move freely between the two displays as one would normally do with two, or more, displays.

I do not believe this would be particularly hard to achieve for Steam as most of the tech is already there.

Sincerely

Nick

[LexicDarkA7]

i second this id love to have it work like that, but also so that i could have a game in one screen, likle the steam link and run other stuff off of my primary monitor or the reverse provided i had the hardware processing power to support it, this would increase the sales of the device if you have these capbilitys built in.

[UBDB]

Honestly i don't think hardware would be a problem unless you were running a second game. Yea I think if they did this sales would skyrocket, which makes me think there is a legal issue in the way.

[LexicDarkA7]

still would be nice for split screen co op games like black ops 3

[TaxE117]

I would dig this feature as well!

[Wyldwiisel]

Bump simply because why can't we do this my graphics card can support 3 monitors so why can't I play games on my tv and have a web page open on my monitor
Can we trick system into thinking we have a second monitor plugged in?and stream that?Virtual Desktop

[Wyldwiisel]

I've just bought a dummy HDMI off eBay I think that if I plug this into my graphics card and get steam to stream the dummy display to TV I can prob achieve what your after I'll let you know how it goes

[LexicDarkA7]

Originally posted by Wyldwiisel:

I've just bought a dummy HDMI off eBay I think that if I plug this into my graphics card and get steam to stream the dummy display to TV I can prob achieve what your after I'll let you know how it goes

Done it doesn't work you need multi seat software or a virtual machine to get it to work, Steam needs to emulate a desktop in order for it to work.

[Enchiridion]

This would be a great feature for the Link.

Apologize for the thread necro but this was the second result in my Google search and a good idea.

[v1kt0r]

Up

[_I_]

steam grabs the image and sound from a display attached to the host

virtual desktop is not a virtual display
it just puts open windows on another layer thats hidden allowing you to toggle between them

[Shodan]

Create an "indirect" display with the amyuni driver
https://www.amyuni.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3030
Then stream from that. I just bought a steamlink just to try this !

[Mr Zurkon]

Originally posted by Shodan:

Create an "indirect" display with the amyuni driver
https://www.amyuni.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3030
Then stream from that. I just bought a steamlink just to try this !

Did it work?

[Shodan]

I bought one steamlink to try but it's on the other side of the US-Canada border and I can't cross without a costly PCR test, so have to wait and see. If that doesn't work, I will use x86 chromebox plus windows 10 plus spacedesk.

[_I_]

you dont need link hardware
you can use a pi4 or better, tv with link app, android/apple phone/tablet or another pc

[Shodan]

Pi4 are unobtainium at the moment
android stuff's no good, I don't want to send all that data over wifi
Also windows can't stream to more than one wireless display, and it's super annoying to have to reconnect it all the time.


Still hoping the steamlink can be made to behave better