Wired connection - in what way?

[Bad Whippet]

My PC is wired (LAN) to my router which is a dual-band 5GHz. However, the TV I would like to stream to is on another floor in the building. What does "wired connection" actually mean? That just the PC is wired to the router like mine is (and Steam Link connects to the same router wirelessly), or that the Steam link is also connected by wire to the router? If the latter, it will be no good for me.

Does anyone know?

[Solar]

A wired connection means that it should be wired from Link --> Router --> PC all the way.

[Bad Whippet]

Dang!

Well, thanks for confirming this. Something to remove from my wishlist then. I already have a 50ft HDMI cable so I can use that. I just didn't want to snake wires up the wall and through to upstairs. I live in a 400 year-old house where power outlets are very inconveniently located too.

I can stream games wirelessly with my nvidia Shield tablet, but it will only stream games supported by nvidia's Gamestream tech, not my entire Steam library.

[8BitCerberus]

No need to route wires. All that matters is that the host PC and Steam Link are on the same network in your home. It doesn't matter if you PC is wired to the router and the Steam Link would be wireless.

The reason they recommend wired is because there are so many opportunities for wireless networking to not be optimal. Usually oversaturated with tons of devices, or tons of access points around you (such as in an apartment, or dorm). But it sounds like you're probably not in that situation, so as long as it's n or better, your setup should be fine.

[Bad Whippet]

Originally posted by 8-Bit Cerberus:

No need to route wires. All that matters is that the host PC and Steam Link are on the same network in your home. It doesn't matter if you PC is wired to the router and the Steam Link would be wireless.

The reason they recommend wired is because there are so many opportunities for wireless networking to not be optimal. Usually oversaturated with tons of devices, or tons of access points around you (such as in an apartment, or dorm). But it sounds like you're probably not in that situation, so as long as it's n or better, your setup should be fine.

That sounds more hopeful then. I had to buy a dual-band 5GHz router for streaming from the Shield - so that it could use the 5GHz bandwidth while other wireless devices competed for the usual 2.4GHz. I guess nvidia made that recommendation for the same reason, and that Valve is not making the recommendation because (suddenly) a cheap Steam Link looks less cheap after all...

My Shield seems to stream absolutely fine. There is a teeny bit of lag noticeable in playing a pinball game (where instant split-second response is expected from a flipper) but the lag isn't noticeable in driving/FPS games at all.

[Miff]

I'm just going to use powerline network adaptors.

[8BitCerberus]

@Biv that's how I'm set up and it works great

[Supersolenoid]

Wireless will work too, they are just saying wired will be best. Plus, if you have a 50 ft hdmi cable you are willing to use, why not just get a big ethernet cable to hook the router?

[Bad Whippet]

Originally posted by Supersolenoid:

Wireless will work too, they are just saying wired will be best. Plus, if you have a 50 ft hdmi cable you are willing to use, why not just get a big ethernet cable to hook the router?

It's a really thick and unwieldy cable with little flex to it - not suitable for wrapping around small, twisting stairs in an ancient house. In desperation I could use it but it's not ideal. I'd probably try Steam Link first.

[Statsministeren]

The best option is of course to have your whole house wired with cat 5,6 or 7.

But if you do not build the house yourself, the chances that the builder made "smurf tubes" to every room is unlikely.

So unless you have a smart way to cable your house, the next best thing is a very good wifi router.
(it supports 5ghz) http://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/0/610574106424223947/

F.ex the asus dual band routers provides almost as good connection as wired.
http://www.asus.com/us/Networking/Wireless_Routers_Products/
(Never cheap out on wifi routers.I use the rt-n66u myself)
And if you live in a crowded neighbourhood, use a wifi scanner (on your pad/phone https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en ) to find the best channels to use.

With a good connection you should be all set.

[Oblaque]

Wow that completely defeats the purpose of convenient PC gaming to TV. Thanks for the heads up guys. Removing from wishlist as we speak

[Supersolenoid]

Originally posted by Shiraz:

Wow that completely defeats the purpose of convenient PC gaming to TV. Thanks for the heads up guys. Removing from wishlist as we speak :D:

Not really, because you can use wireless no probs. But, like everything network based, wired is better. Valve can't magically make wireless better than wired. I use in home streaming via wireless and it's fine, but wired is better. That's just how it is.