Router and PC upstairs . . . TV Downstairs

[Truckasaurus]

I am excited about this idea, however the "wired connection highly recommended" was disapointing. I would be getting the steam link to avoid running a long cable from upstairs to downstairs. Which it sounds like I would have to do anyway :( What other Alternative methods are out there for creating a wired link without actually running a cable but affordable do people use or prefer? Thanks for your thoughts Interwebs!

[Elwood Hirsch]

"wired connection highly recommended"

RECOMMENDED being the key word here.

[Truckasaurus]

My WiiU streams games online just fine in same location (monster hunter) Can I assume that steam link should be just fine then?

[Elwood Hirsch]

Link has nothing to do with streaming online. It is used to stream on a home network.

[Supersolenoid]

I use steam in home streaming both wired and wireless. Wired is preferable, but I don't see a HUGE difference. Actually sometimes none at all. If you want to see how it works, see if you can use a decent laptop or something and run in home streaming. Should give you an idea. And no, there is no better solution to in home streaming, than steam in home streaming. It is fuss free and works wonderfully. Every other method is a fiddle to set up.

[8BitCerberus]

Originally posted by SocrLd87:

My WiiU streams games online just fine in same location (monster hunter) Can I assume that steam link should be just fine then?

The WiiU uses it's own wireless protocol, not through your home network, so that's not a good indicator. It's also annoying because I can't even go 30 feet down the hall with an onubstructed line-of-sight without the WiiU gamepad losing connection, nevermind going upstairs. If you can do that, consider yourself lucky! I wish I had that option.

As Supersolenoid suggested, if you have a laptop or something you can use to test out Steam In-Home Streaming on your current wireless setup, that would be the only way you can test how the Steam Link will work on your wireless network.

Generally, as long as your home network is capable of a sustained 30Mbps, you'll be fine. Wired, wireless, doesn't matter. Wireless is more prone to interference and that leads to speed degredation.

If you have a lot of devices connecting to your router, like I do, you may not have enough speed on a wireless network for In-Home Streaming to work well. Which is why it's recommended to go wired. You can probably use powerline ethernet if you aren't able to, or don't want to, run cables from your computer to router to Steam Link. I get about 80Mbps with powerline ethernet, which I am using because on my 802.11n network we have so many devices that I only get about 10Mbps.

[Truckasaurus]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'll give the steamlink a try once it is out and if it is struggling go with a powerline link as I've been doing some research on that as well.

[Vapor187]

I stream games to my TV using the Nvidia Shield. For some reason it won't connect to my PC anymore. But, When it did, it worked pretty good wireless for streaming games. They recommend opening ports on your router for streaming. I did notice games that were graphically taxing dropped the framerate quite a bit. So running the Steam Link wirelessly can be done. Don't expect to play Crysis at 60fps with a wireless connection. I'm considering the Steam Link because of its ports and connection options. The Shield console has alot of connectivity and android games. But I'm not paying $200 for Android game console with Streaming.

[schralepin]

I am currently using TP-Link TL-PA4010 Nano AV500 Powerline Adapters for my set up to avoid having a 50ft cord. It is working great and might offer you a solution to your problem. Not sure but it is working fine for me.

[tekinabox]

This is more about the 'wireless interference' issue in many metro areas where wifi performance is just crappy unless you have a really nice router.

They do not want people basing their product because their wifi signal isn't strong enough to hold up to the stream.

It has wireless AC support...that is plenty of bandwidth and low enough latency.

But some spoiled brat who does not know about technology will buy it, hook it up to a wireless g router in the middle of metro area and expect it to work flawlessly.

That is the same person who expects 100% of their bandwidth from their ISP on a wireless network 40feet away from their crappy router in an urban area.

[Chavinchi]

I think they should have made powerline ethernet part and parcel with the rest of the product. Then it truly would have everything one could need.

[Elwood Hirsch]

Originally posted by perfect:

I think they should have made powerline ethernet part and parcel with the rest of the product. Then it truly would have everything one could need.

No. Why add the cost of powerline to Link when not everyone will use it?! That is just stupid. If you need powerline buy it separately.

[RancidPain]

Or at least another model for those that would think it worth the price.

[8BitCerberus]

Or for those that would think it worth the price they can just buy a powerline adapter. Why complicate things with two models of the Steam Link? Especially when one version is going to be vastly less desired than the default one?

[💕🌷💜💖🍷🐝🐾🐺]

Powerline Adapter I have some way better than wireless with no drops in speed

[Chavinchi]

Originally posted by 8-Bit Cerberus:

Or for those that would think it worth the price they can just buy a powerline adapter. Why complicate things with two models of the Steam Link? Especially when one version is going to be vastly less desired than the default one?

First of all, I'm suggesting an integration of the powerline adaptor with the supplied power cable, so you get it whether you like it or not. Then you'd have to be extra-moronic to still use wireless if that was your only other means of communicating with the pc.

I imagine it would actually corner the majority of the market; those who would have otherwised used wireless, and those who would otherwise have planned in advance to trail an ethernet cable down some stairs. The only ones who wouldn't be interested in such a feature are those that have it all set up and ready to go with an ethernet link having planned the positioning and layout of their equipment in advance and nailed cables to the wall, drilled holes, etc. (which can actually end up being slower than powerline as for every meter of cable there's a risk of poor quality connection, particularly if you go for more affordable cable).

The whole thing they're going for with the steamboxes and steamlink is an 'it just works' philosophy, i.e. the same thing that makes consoles appealing. So why not go all the way with it? I don't know where you get the idea that only a minority would be interested. It seems you're reflecting your own preferences, not the market's.