Steam Link on Chromecast with Google TV (CCWGTV) ?

[Katonka]

Will that App be compatible with that new Google TV streaming stick?
https://store.google.com/product/chromecast_google_tv

[PHLAK]

I'd like to know this, too. Also, will it be capable of 4k @ 60 FPS?

[Team BASH|LukeHandle]

Currently, the App installs, but complains that Chromecast is not supported. Over Wifi with a in-app Network Test of 100Mb/s and minimal latency the stream only lasted 5-15 seconds. Overlay stats complained about "Display latency". I suspect an issue with the decoding optimization?

AMDLink worked flawlessly though. Shockingly so! Latency was not noticeable and quality was amazing. I'm sure Steam Link will be great once they iron it out. I briefly loaded a game, but using my Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo was... not fun.

It seems crazy plugging in a USB hub into the Chromecast... but I'd need it to play any FPS.

[Team BASH|LukeHandle]

Ahh, this might be related to me setting Hardware Encoding on. Setting off and no longer disconnected... Though the Chromecast seems to have now fallen over when I wanted to exit. Can't seem to quit... Home button loads a black screen... oops.

[PHLAK]

Thanks for the info! I look forward to the day it works well.

[Queuecumber]

For some reason people are having really different experiences with game streaming on this device. Some people get crashes, for me it works fine. The only issue I have is that the app apparently needs to be explicitly updated to support 4k so it's limited to 1080p streams on the CCWGTV.

[PHLAK]

Thanks. I'm sure it CAN be updated to support 4k (Stadia supposedly works with it at 4k) so would be nice to see that.

[Queuecumber]

For @slouken here are the performance details, I underlined the relevant parts: https://imgur.com/a/VyAvSdL

Tv is 4k, host is 1440p but stream is at 1080p, display latency seems high to me (I tried both h.264 and h.265). Both chromecast and host are wired to gigabit connections. I don't believe the ~50% frame loss is accurate because the stream isn't choppy at all.

Also I noticed that the decoder it's using is different from the one my phone uses.

[Queuecumber]

Also I definitely have delayed inputs on some games which I don't have on my phone

[pwnay]

I have the same issue as Queuecumber with the official Google ethernet adapter. I don't have dropped frames with the Steam Link app on my Pixel 3XL wirelessly and for sure don't have the issues with my hardware Steam Link which is wired to my network. The frame loss is something with the app on the new Chromecast.

I've opened a ticket and the response was:

Originally posted by Steam Support:

Unfortunately the ChromeCast has not been optimized for the use of the Steam Link application at this time.

Due to the manner in which the device renders a stream via a forwarding of a remote access stream coupled with the specific ports that Steam uses to stream content, severe packet loss would be common with this hardware until optimization has been done between Valve and Chrome Cast developers.

After that, they pointed me towards the forum and to keep an eye on updates. Fingers crossed!

[Queuecumber]

Just a note about the ethernet adapters, in case it's relevant to the performance: the Google adapter is 100Mb, and even with a gigabit usb-c adapter (which I am using) it's limited to around 300Mb, the running theory is that the usb-c port is using usb2 instead of usb3. 5Ghz AC wifi may actually be faster in some setups under these conditions but it didn't make any difference when I tried it.

[Queuecumber]

I can confirm that moonlight works flawlessly, I was getting 60-90fps with a 4k stream depending on the game

[grimesbot5000]

I came here to chime-in on some issues with the official Google Ethernet Adapter. I know it's only 100mbps, but I care more about latency than top speed, and latency should always be better with wired vs. wireless. I have gigabit fiber at my house and everything is connected using gigabit ethernet and enterprise (UniFi) switches/APs.

SO, when using the official Google ethernet adapter, Steam Link tops out at 35 mbps when testing the connection, even though both client & server are connected via ethernet. Using wifi it has no issue maxing out the Steam Link network test at 100 mbps.

I don't think it's an issue with the adapter. When using it connected to ethernet & test the connection using Netflix -> Help -> Test Connection, I saturate the adapter's connection at nearly the full 100 mbps.

I also see a difference when gaming using Steam Link, so I unplug the cat 6 when gaming.

Otherwise, it's been pretty great, even since launch. It's one of the first things I messed around when when I got the CCwGTV since ordering it on launch-day, I'm pretty impressed considering it's not yet an optimized device and it's so affordable. Looking forward to when they do optimize it and hopefully they can work out these issues with the ethernet adapter.

[PHLAK]

Thanks for that info @grimesbot5000! Can you tell me, is it streaming at 4K or does it top out at 1080p? Also, are you able to connect a Steam Controller to the CCwGTV?

[grimesbot5000]

@PHLAK I can confirm it tops out at 1080p. I tried just about every Steam Link host and client setting, but it didn't ever change the capture at 1920x1080p @ ~60fps according to the Steam Link performance overlay. Host PC at 3840 x 2160 @ 60fps, client GCwGTV @ "4k 60Hz".

I also did try another Google "Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast with Google TV" (yes I own multiple of these ethernet adapters) and got the same result with it maxing out at 35mbps (while still being able to get near 100mbps using Netflix -> Get Help -> Test Your Network) so I'm nearly certain it's not a hardware issue, but something with Steam Link.

Sorry, I do not own a Steam Controller. I'm using the "8BitDo SN30 Pro Controller for Xbox Cloud Android/PC"

[grimesbot5000]

With a bit more testing, I have essentially replicated the findings by @Queuecumber. I also see a shockingly high frame loss (~48%) on the Steam Link Performance Overlay, but don't believe it because it seems pretty smooth during gameplay.

With that being said, I downloaded Moonlight for reference and it does feel like a night-and-day improvement. 4k @ 60fps and it's buttery smooth (using either wifi or the ethernet via the adapter). As @Queuecumber said, it works flawlessly.