Just bought a 4k TV for Steam Big Screen

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Hi all

I just bought this TV

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbished-VIZIO-43-Class-4K-2160P-Smart-LED-Home-Theater-Display-E43U-D2/55279490

I already got 4 monitors, and am saving for the GTX 1080ti later this year.

My question is this.


How well does Steam Big Screen work with 4K tvs?

I've never had a 4k tv before, but I do have the Steam Controller and want to pretty much lay back on my bed and enjoy a move or a game from time to time, and using monitors is hard to see at 7 to 11 feet away.

Any opinions? The tv will be here on the 17th. Thanks

TV Specs 43 Inch, 120 hrts 4K UHD
Monitors are 1920 x 1080p 23inch 60Hrtz

Reason I went with a budget 4K tv is because I am getting the GTX 1080ti and then a gaming monitor shortly after.

Thanks

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Just use Steam Client normally, why do you need to use Big Picture Mode, ever?

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originalmente postado por Bad_Motha:

Just use Steam Client normally, why do you need to use Big Picture Mode, ever?

I figured it was needed to use my tv no? I dont have the TV yet. I know gaming monitors are better, but a 4k tv with 120hrts for $300 was a damn good deal, so I bought it on an impilse grab, since I needed a new tv anyway.

So I can just use it as a monitor for gaming when I want to play certain games, like Fallout 4 or GTA 5 or Next Car game? Not trying to play any pvp survival games off a TV, I know that is gonna be bad, but some hack n slash or sims style games I thought might work nice.

I am still new to the idea of using TVS for gaming on PC. Always had led monitors. Had 1 old tv I tried as a monitor but didnt like it

[Bad 💀 Motha]

TVs are no different then Monitors, without going into great technical details to then separate the two and create argument over why one is better than the other.

All Steam Big Picture Mode really does in the end is try to provide and easier to read interface, all of which can be navigated with a compatible Controller.

For the most part I'd say since you basically still need a Keyboard and Mouse attached to that Living Room PC; at least sometimes, or for some things... that it may be better to just launch Steam Client and then the Game of choice, then go and play with your Controller if thats how you wish to go about playing. Since you do speak about Multi-Monitor config/setup then am I right to assume this is not a typical Living Room type of PC setup/placement? If so then you're probably already using the Keyboard and Mouse on a regular basis outside of Gaming, so why not just skip BPM and use the normal Steam Client methods.

It wont hurt to try it both ways; normal Client without using BPM; but then try BPM and see how you like it.

Again, NO... BigPictureMode is not required for using a TV.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originalmente postado por Bad_Motha:

TVs are no different then Monitors, without going into great technical details to then separate the two and create argument over why one is better than the other.

All Steam Big Picture Mode really does in the end is try to provide and easier to read interface, all of which can be navigated with a compatible Controller.

For the most part I'd say since you basically still need a Keyboard and Mouse attached to that Living Room PC; at least sometimes, or for some things... that it may be better to just launch Steam Client and then the Game of choice, then go and play with your Controller if thats how you wish to go about playing. Since you do speak about Multi-Monitor config/setup then am I right to assume this is not a typical Living Room type of PC setup/placement? If so then you're probably already using the Keyboard and Mouse on a regular basis outside of Gaming, so why not just skip BPM and use the normal Steam Client methods.

It wont hurt to try it both ways; normal Client without using BPM; but then try BPM and see how you like it.

Again, NO... BigPictureMode is not required for using a TV.

Thanks for the clarification

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originalmente postado por Gimp:

I thought 120hz TVs inserted a frame between two frames to improve smoothness, and that they're not true 120hz, unlike 120hz monitors.

Not sure tbh, I know about monitors, I am not too TV literate, but 4K UHD for $300 seemed like a good deal, so I decided to give it a try. Will have it on the 17th to know if It was worth it or not.

[tacoshy]

Well one thing you should know is that TV has higher input lag. Most modern TV offer a gaming modern where all picture enhancement are deactivated to get down to a normal input lag. You should use that.

Also make sure to buy a HDMI 2.0b cable (18Gbps or higher) to even be able to use 4K at 60Hz with HDR. A normal HDMI cable or a HDMI 2.0 is not enough.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originalmente postado por tacoshy:

Well one thing you should know is that TV has higher input lag. Most modern TV offer a gaming modern where all picture enhancement are deactivated to get down to a normal input lag. You should use that.

Also make sure to buy a HDMI 2.0b cable (18Gbps or higher) to even be able to use 4K at 60Hz with HDR. A normal HDMI cable or a HDMI 2.0 is not enough.

yes I am aware of the input lag, which is why Ill only play single player games on it, like GTA 5 and fallout 4, shadow of mortar, batman etc

I didnt know about the hdmi cables, so ty for that info. That is new info, Ill pick that up tomorrow. Many thanks!

[Hello Kitty]

as soon as you activate the gaming mode or manually disable all picture enhancements your input lag will be down to a normal level where you even could play multiplayer games just fine. Console gamer do it too.
The reason for the high input lag is that the TV tries to enhance the picture by for example calculating pictures between 2 pictures to have more frames. Also they try to improve picture or upscaling them.

[retro_Ed]

If game is launched from normal desktop mode it is impossible to go and adjust Steam Controllers settings by pressing Guide (home) button.

This is biggest difference if game is started from desktop or Big Picture mode.
In Big Picture mode, home button takes you straight to SC settings.
[Edit] Also Controllers onscreen features are not available on desktop mode.

Press [alt + tab], right click game icon and shortcut can be found for Steam Controller settings.
You need keyboard for going back to desktop or you can bind [alt+tab] for your controller.

Just remember to make good, versatile button/shortcut settings for your SC desktop mode.
Steam Controller + Onscreen keyboard = no need for kb & m

I am using Steam Linux client so options/settings might be little different versus Windows.

Are you going to swap display cable from monitor to television or how ?

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originalmente postado por retro_Ed:

If game is launched from normal desktop mode it is impossible to go and adjust Steam Controllers settings by pressing Guide (home) button.

This is biggest difference if game is started from desktop or Big Picture mode.
In Big Picture mode, home button takes you straight to SC settings.
[Edit] Also Controllers onscreen features are not available on desktop mode.

Press [alt + tab], right click game icon and shortcut can be found for Steam Controller settings.
You need keyboard for going back to desktop or you can bind [alt+tab] for your controller.

Just remember to make good, versatile button/shortcut settings for your SC desktop mode.
Steam Controller + Onscreen keyboard = no need for kb & m

I am using Steam Linux client so options/settings might be little different versus Windows.

Are you going to swap display cable from monitor to television or how ?

My old LED tv I just used a DVI coord to connect, but this 4k tv only has HMDI, and from what people are saying I will want to buy 4k compatible hdmi cables


Was looking at this My pc has the proper ports available to connect to it. I currently have 3 monitors connected, I only have a GTX 980, but picking up the 1080ti in December or Janurary.

I just wanted to know what to expect with the 4k tv, since the old 40 inch led was really horrible as a monitor. You can look at my profile and see the setup. The 4K tv will replace the LED tv you see, so I can relax on my couch or bed and do some light gaming from that.

Also I am new to TV Shopping, I know more about cpus and gpus than I do TVs.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ultra-HD-Pure-PRO-4K-High-Speed-HDMI-Cable-with-Ethernet/49238417?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227038201129&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=90376049192&wl4=pla-182519409872&wl5=9016212&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=49238417&wl13=&veh=sem

[tacoshy]

Just because you have a 4K monitor doesnt mean you also have to play every games at that rersolution. Pretty many games doesnt even support native 4K. Also not every game looks great in 4K. Some games have a tiny GUI in 4K or if you look into my screenshots CIV5 has a very small picture with 3/4 of the display being black bars...

In the End dont expect to much from AAA games with a 980. It is capable of displaying 4K but not actually to play the games at that resolution palyable (if we talk about those that nativly support those like Mass Effect Andromeda, Ghost Recon Wildlands, BF1 ...). The first of those 2 games dont even run in ultra at 60 fps in 4K with a 1080 Ti.

Also rememebr that PPI will about the same (only slightly better) for a 43" UHD then witha 24" FHD. PPI even will be worse then a 27% QHD. So the picture quality by PPI isnt much of an improvement but the screensize hugely improves which was a major factor and the reason to do that for me.

[RTX 5080 FE(Mr Happy)]

Originalmente postado por tacoshy:

Just because you have a 4K monitor doesnt mean you also have to play every games at that rersolution. Pretty many games doesnt even support native 4K. Also not every game looks great in 4K. Some games have a tiny GUI in 4K or if you look into my screenshots CIV5 has a very small picture with 3/4 of the display being black bars...

In the End dont expect to much from AAA games with a 980. It is capable of displaying 4K but not actually to play the games at that resolution palyable (if we talk about those that nativly support those like Mass Effect Andromeda, Ghost Recon Wildlands, BF1 ...). The first of those 2 games dont even run in ultra at 60 fps in 4K with a 1080 Ti.

Also rememebr that PPI will about the same (only slightly better) for a 43" UHD then witha 24" FHD. PPI even will be worse then a 27% QHD. So the picture quality by PPI isnt much of an improvement but the screensize hugely improves which was a major factor and the reason to do that for me.

Thanks. I do have BF1 and yes I heard it doesnt hit 60 fps at 4k alot.

Basically, I like to play games like GTA 5, Batman Arkam Knight, Shadow of Mordar, need for speed, games I can just fight, or race and pause if I need to order a pizza or check the mail.

I enjoy them on my pc monitor, but I am getting older, and lets me honest, after a few decades, you dont wanna sit at a desk to game the weekend away. I mwean I play Dayz, Ark, Rust and other survival games pc monitor only, but I want to enjoy the luxary of gaming from bed or a couch, without having to accept an inferior machine such as a console.

Not hating on them, they just cant do what the PC can do. Only thing the console has over PC, is you can enjoy it from the couch easier. since its designed for "couch potatos" And I basically want to couch potato some of my pc games.

And trying to look at a 23 inch moniot at 11 feet away is not fun lol

Anyway thanks for the valuable info everybody and the 4k cable info was great! I bought the cables for $10 at walmart. Ill update this thread to let you know how I like it when it all arrives.

[WarmedxMints]

Big picture works fine in 4k, notifications are still a bit small though. The standard client doesn't scale at all so notifications are too small to read as is the steam overlay.

TV's are just like monitors though where you get what you pay for. A cheap 4k TV will blur a lot when you pan the camera around. I have a half decent samsung 4k tv and games are still much smoother to play on my 1080p panasonic plasma tbh.