Streaming at higher resolution

[Guagno333]

Hello.

I'm playing using the Steam Link from my laptop. My display resolution, unfortunately, is only 1366x768. I know that I could use an HDMI cable to connect the laptop to the TV, but I wanted to know if I could stream at a resolution higher than 1366x768 (like the classic 1080p of my TV) using the Steam Link, as I would do by connecting the laptop with an HDMI cable.

Thanks!

[Xjph]

If you've got an nvidia GPU and just want to raise the rendering resolution above your display resolution you don't need the dongle at all, just turn on DSR. Either way you're not going to get a true 1440p image from the Link.

As far as I'm aware there aren't any plans for a new steam link hardware revision, but then I don't work at Valve, so who knows what they're planning and haven't said. If you really want streaming above 1080p though you can just use any 4k capable HTPC and put Steam on it. The Steam Link doesn't do anything magical, any device that can run Steam can do the same thing. You could also look into the nvidia proprietary streaming stuff (gamestream/moonlight), which I hear works well at higher resolutions.

As for using NVFBC or not, my experience with all of the host streaming options has been wildly variable depending on the game being played, some options work better with some games than others, so you just have to try it and see. If you want the best experience you're going to need to fiddle with settings on a per-game basis.

[Redmiles]

I don't expect it to be upgraded. That takes different hardware if you'd ask me.

[greg]

Originally posted by Vithigar:

If you really want streaming above 1080p though you can just use any 4k capable HTPC and put Steam on it. You could also look into the nvidia proprietary streaming stuff (gamestream/moonlight), which I hear works well at higher resolutions.

Thanks again Vithigar!

Why would a 4K capable HTPC make any difference from my existing hardware? My existing PC is fully capable of 4K, the only problem is the monitor connected to the host, which is 1080p...
I think that since it streams the existing steam screen, it cannot output a higher res. It can only do it if you connect the dummy dongle.

As for moonlight, thanks! I wasn't aware of its existence. I installed the chrome version on my Mac, enabled in game overlay in the General tab and gamestream in the shield tab of steam on the host and it worked. I think you don't even need to have steam installed on the client.

Problem is that although I chose 4K on the client, it defaults to the hosts max resolution again (1080p) plus the interface is much lagier than a normal Steam stream...so maybe it is not suitable for games that use a mouse (I want it for CIV 6)
The benefit of course is that it screens the entire desktop so I guess you can use it with any other game outside steam too...

[Xjph]

Originally posted by greg:

Why would a 4K capable HTPC make any difference from my existing hardware?

...because the Link cannot output 4K. This has been mentioned several times already.

My existing PC is fully capable of 4K, the only problem is the monitor connected to the host, which is 1080p...
I think that since it streams the existing steam screen, it cannot output a higher res. It can only do it if you connect the dummy dongle.

{snip}

Problem is that although I chose 4K on the client, it defaults to the hosts max resolution again (1080p)

I already told you a solution to this without using a dongle. Enable DSR in the nvidia control panel,[international.download.nvidia.com] it will allow you to select resolutions above what your panel can display. With a 1080p panel enabling 4x DSR will allow you to pick 4K.

The benefit of course is that it screens the entire desktop so I guess you can use it with any other game outside steam too...

You can do that with the Link, just add them to your Steam library as non-steam games, or exit big picture mode.

[Xjph]

Oh, one other thing I'll mention. I expect when playing Civ VI at 4K from normal TV viewing distances it would be just about impossible to read anything unless your screen is huge or you sit unusually close. I found it uncomfortable on my TV at 1080p and turned it down to 720p just to make the interface larger.

[greg]

Gotcha man. You had written about these things indeed, I hadn't done the research.
I will check DSR out and see what happens. Thanks!

[greg]

Well, DSR sorta kinda did the job. Via steam link (and 1 restart of the game) CIV 6 game me only 1 other resolution of 2715x1697 (WTF?) which I guess was relative to my 2560x1440 Apple Screen, when screening from a Host that has a resolution of 1920x1200.
In any case, it did the job just fine, everything isn't so zoomed in as it is when streaming with the native res so many many thanks Vithigar!

The same doesn't happen with moonlight of course, I am still looking into :)

[Xjph]

Which DSR factors did you enable? 2715x1697 would be a 2.00x factor over 1920x1200. The multipliers it shows are for total pixel count, not the dimensions, which is a little weird in my opinion, but it's how nvidia chose to display it. With 4.00x enabled you should get 3840x2400, which would be a 16:10 aspect 4K.

[greg]

Originally posted by Vithigar:

Which DSR factors did you enable? 2715x1697 would be a 2.00x factor over 1920x1200. The multipliers it shows are for total pixel count, not the dimensions, which is a little weird in my opinion, but it's how nvidia chose to display it. With 4.00x enabled you should get 3840x2400, which would be a 16:10 aspect 4K.

I enabled all the multipliers and rebooted.
I also received my 4K dummy dongles from amazon today (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07121YW1P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and they work like a charm!!

I unplugged the monitor from the host PC (7700K) and I connected only the dummy dongle. I can now run whatever resolution I want in game CIV 5 or 6 on my Mac. I understand what you wrote above about steam links limitations but it does look a damn lot better using 2560X1440 on the Apple Monitor if even it is still 1080p!
For some reason moonlight still wont go above 1080p in the settings though...

[Xjph]

I can now run whatever resolution I want in game CIV 5 or 6 on my Mac.

Hang on a second, are you using a Steam Link, or In Home Streaming to a Mac? If you're using In Home Streaming with the Steam client then there's no 1080p limit. You'll get actual 1440p. Also, like 2/3rds of this conversation could've been avoided. :P

[greg]

Originally posted by Vithigar:

I can now run whatever resolution I want in game CIV 5 or 6 on my Mac.

Hang on a second, are you using a Steam Link, or In Home Streaming to a Mac? If you're using In Home Streaming with the Steam client then there's no 1080p limit. You'll get actual 1440p. Also, like 2/3rds of this conversation could've been avoided. :P

hahaha that's so funny man!
My bad, as I didn't understand the difference. I had seen you referring to it as Steam Link but I thought we talking about the same thing. I didn't even know that it was a separate device (I just googled it)! Yes, I was referring to in home streaming and that's why I was very surprised when you were discussing it's limitations to 1080p....hahahaha

Checking back on Guagno333's initial post, I see that he was asking about the link, it's my mistake for not checking. In any case, everything works as it should now, many thanks for your continuous support on my search! Now, if I could only find how to get Moonlight to work about 1080p...