Steam Link alternatives?

[Nate]

Greetings,

My steamlink seems to be hit or miss. Sometimes the network is glitchy (dropped frames/packets(?), stuttering) using a wired ethernet from 1gbs desktop. Sometimes the connection drops completely, sometimes it freezes immediately upon startup (cold boots for both pc and link). Sometimes mid game, the game will either freeze on the screen (still moving and playable on PC), or the screen will have grey/black bars, and crash. In this last situation, the only way to use the steamlink again is to unplug it.

I've tried optimizing settings on the link, enabling performance overlays, decreasing resolution, optimizing network connection settings on link, pc, router, etc. I've tried opting in to beta firmware for the link. I've even reset to factory defaults a couple of times...

I think my link may just be dying?

So I am looking at two options for replacing it when it finally dies:

Should I go ahead and A) buy an 8GB Raspberry Pi 4 model b, install a lite linux or even arm-based windows 10, use the steam link app and stream that way,

Or I have also pondered B) the nvidia shield pro, which appears to be android based with 1gb ethernet and their proprietary gpu architecture and drivers.

I've tried comparing hardware specs to the steamlink and from what little info I can find on it, they both blow it out of the water. But I know that hardware isn't everything. So I am wondering what would work better for me between the two options?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and I'm sorry if this is a duplicate thread or in the wrong place, I've just grown weary of constant googling mostly old and outdated articles.

[Nate]

Originally posted by Xenophobe:

the pi should be sufficient for streaming, the shied is a more expensive option and requires geforce experience to work and I've heard there are issues with controllers at times, some buttons being difficult to remap if memory serves.

Ok. my main complaint (other than the above) is that the steamlink caps at 1080p 60Hz. My native resolution is 4k and I have had issues with HDR content being washed out on the steamlink (had to set my computer to SDR as a result). So I'm looking to stream 4k@60fps from my computer to the raspberry pi (and hence to my living room tv). Currently I play games like grand theft auto, resident evil, etc. As well as stream web content and check emails, etc. So the raspberry pi looks up to the task as far as hardware goes, but will it be pretty much the same experience as now with the steamlink? Minus the issues I mentioned of course?

[Nate]

Originally posted by Xenophobe:

the link app on the 4B is supposed to be 4K@60 capable, though I can't speak to that personally, as I have a 3B+ and my old 1080p tv keeps turning on just fine. you will need a decent wired connection pc to router to pi and a solid gpu in the pc to handle the encoding at 4K.

Roger that, I'm all wired here, with cat 6 cables and 1gbps ports on everything. Using port triggering and cloudflare dns. PC is running a gtx 1070. Can handle pretty much everything @ 4k medium to high settings, minus AA which I don't generally use.

So you have good experience with the 3b, then eh? That's encouraging. I'm trying to get something setup before my steamlink dies completely and I'm scrambling.

What would you say was your biggest headache/challenge using pi for steamlink streaming?

[oscarjjang2016]

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[Nate]

Originally posted by oscarjjang2016:

.

???

[_I_]

htpc > shield > pi4 > link hardware > android box > pi3 > tv app
ymmv

[Nate]

Originally posted by _I_:

htpc > shield > pi4 > link hardware > android box > pi3 > tv app
ymmv

Yeah I can't do another PC right now, don't have the time, money, or space.

But you're saying the shield (I would look at the shield pro) is > pi4 in this situation?

Can the shield stream the entire desktop like you can with steamlink? I don't like the idea of the geforce now business... and I do surf the web and do some other PC tasks as is. Would I have full use of the computer with the shield or is it limited?

[_I_]

the newer nvidia shield is really good at streaming and has many other uses

it can stream desktop or any game just like the link

[Nate]

Originally posted by Xenophobe:

Originally posted by \\F.A.B.// N8:

What would you say was your biggest headache/challenge using pi for steamlink streaming?

setting up 5.1 audio, required a bit of effort on the pi side (not link app related). https://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/6/1743353164095764346/

No worries I only have a 2.1 sound bar so I wouldn't even get that far in.

Originally posted by _I_:

the newer nvidia shield is really good at streaming and has many other uses

it can stream desktop or any game just like the link

I'm interested in the nvidia shield since nvidia gpu and encoding/decoding plus having a device designed and dedicated for streaming vs a whole computer...