What does it do that chromecast doesn't?

[JacksonTersely]

Is performance in games better? Could I start big picture mode while streaming over chromecast and get more or less the same experience? (I'm assuming my PC will be near enough to use a wireless keyboard, mouse, or controller.)

[generatedname]

if chromecast works for you, don't change a thing. this is for people with no solution to their "pc game in the living room" yet

[Caboooose]

I have personally tried mirroring my gaming PC to the Chromecast, and it works very well for what it was designed for-- media playback.

The problem is that there is a 3 second imput lag (yes, entire seconds). This hardly matters for media as once it starts, it runs seamlessly; but for controlling games, it makes them unplayable.

I have tested it with all kinds of games as well, Steam and not, from AAA to 2d side scrollers; but the imput lag is at BEST 3 whole seconds and at worst, blank screen. It is probably because the Chromecast has incredibly minimalistic hardware. I beleve with the right software updates the lag could decrease, but shooting for a playable AAA game on the thing is probably not possible.

Perhaps on the Chromecast 2??

[JacksonTersely]

To be clear, I don't even have a chromecast yet. I'm trying to figure out whether I should get this instead, given the situation I described.

If the lag on the chromecast is that bad, I might be better served with the steam link even for doing word processing. I'm about to move and have been thinking of using a big TV for writing while relaxing on the couch. A 3 second lag on input would drive me crazy.

[kittigne]

The Chromecast is optimized to show content from the internet and not a local source. Streaming your PC screen to a Chromecast has a lot of latency and bad performance. Even though they seem to be the same thing they fill two very different roles.
The Chromecast is for streaming video content from the internet, like Netflix or YouTube and has some second screen functionality for Android games.
The Steam Link is optimized for streaming video from your PC, with minimal latency. It should be much better for streaming games from your PC.

[Ronson]

Plus steam will more than likely have better software/updates.

[JacksonTersely]

Thanks, this is all helpful.

Off topic a bit, suppose I used steam link and wanted to do some writing on the big screen. What would be a good word processing solution for switching between Word in Windows and whatever works for Linux (steam o/s)? Would I just need to use chrome and use google docs, or what? I'd want to work on the same documents in both environments.

[Sheen]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von JacksonTersely:

Thanks, this is all helpful.

Off topic a bit, suppose I used steam link and wanted to do some writing on the big screen. What would be a good word processing solution for switching between Word in Windows and whatever works for Linux (steam o/s)? Would I just need to use chrome and use google docs, or what? I'd want to work on the same documents in both environments.

To my understanding the Steam Link is basically for Steam games only,and since i dont know of any word/office,etc. program for steam,it wouldnt really work,youd be better off buying an uber cheap used pc and just plugging it into your tv

[JacksonTersely]

Ah, I'd gotten the impression from other threads that you could add non-steam apps to your steam library and run them with the Link.

[Sheen]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von JacksonTersely:

Ah, I'd gotten the impression from other threads that you could add non-steam apps to your steam library and run them with the Link.

this might be possible,im not sure how well the link will register it, would be pretty sweet though,id love to add origin games, like BF Hardline and upcoming Battlefront and stream them too,if i find any info on non steam apps added ill let you know

[Thndr]

In steam you make a non-steam game shortcut.
With in-home streaming you can open that shortcut on the receiving computer. I do not see why that would change just for steamlink

It will then stream your screen as long as that program is open. You can alt tab and do whatever else you want to do during that time.

Works with actual games as well, but why have a game running in the BG if you're just gonna browse the web?

[JacksonTersely]

So are you not restricted to Linux apps when you do that, Thndr?

[Thndr]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von JacksonTersely:

So are you not restricted to Linux apps when you do that, Thndr?

I've done it between two Windows PCs with in-home streaming myself with notepad and a steam game when I tested it on my network.

You're literally remoting into your system whenever you stream something. Steam does not restrict your PC by making it so you cannot alt-tab.

[JacksonTersely]

Cool, thanks for that.