Frequently Asked Questions

[Christen]

What is Big Picture?
Big Picture is a new mode of Steam designed for use with your TV and game controller, so you can enjoy your Steam games from the comfort of your couch. With the press of a button, Steam displays a new full-screen user interface which has been completely redesigned for readability and interaction on TV.

Why is Valve making Big Picture?
Sometimes, you just want to hang out in the living room. Why should you have to give up all your games, your community of friends, and all the things you love about Steam when you’re there? With Big Picture mode, you don’t have to.

Since its introduction ten years ago, Steam has been updated hundreds of times, with improvements ranging from minor bug fixes to major updates, such as this Big Picture beta update. Valve’s approach to designing improvements has always been driven by customer data and feedback. The creation of Big Picture mode stems from our customers’ expressed interest in, and behavioral data supporting, a desire to access their library of games and their community of friends from a variety of platforms and environments.

What operating systems does Big Picture support?
Big Picture is simply a mode of Steam. It’s designed to run on any computer running Steam. The Big Picture beta update is currently available on any PC running Windows Vista, 7 or 8. Read on for beta hardware requirements. Mac OS X support for Big Picture mode is coming soon.

How can I opt into the Big Picture beta?
To join the beta, install Steam and create a free account, if you haven’t already. Once you’ve launched Steam on your PC, visit Settings and on the Account tab, change your beta participation to opt into the “Steam Beta Update.” Also make sure any custom skins are disabled on the Interface tab. Steam will then restart, updating itself to include the beta features.

How do I enter Big Picture mode?
To run Steam in Big Picture mode once you’ve opted into the beta, simply click the “Big Picture” beta button featured prominently in the Steam client, or press the home button on your controller while using the Steam client. To exit this mode, click or press your controller’s “A” button while focused on the “Exit” button in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Another quick way to go into and out of Big Picture's fullscreen mode is to press ALT + ENTER on your keyboard.

How do I set up Big Picture in my living room? What hardware is needed?
Big Picture mode can be run on any PC display that supports a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels or greater, or it can be displayed on your HDTV by connecting your PC or laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable. Read on for more information about setting up Big Picture in your living room.

Do I need a game controller to use Big Picture mode?
Big Picture mode can be used with a keyboard and mouse, or with a game controller. It’s your choice, as Big Picture mode has been designed to work with either or both types of input. If you choose to use a controller, the Big Picture beta supports the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, the Xbox 360 Wired Controller, and the Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710.

What games can I play while in Big Picture mode?
Any Steam game can be played while in Big Picture mode, though not all Steam games support the use of a controller. To determine whether a game is controller-enabled, visit the Steam store.

Can I run Flash within Big Picture’s browser?
Yes! To install the version you’ll need, visit Adobe’s Flash Player installation page[get.adobe.com] from your desktop browser. From there, select your operating system and the “Flash Player 11 for Other Browsers.” Once downloaded and installed, Flash content will be accessible using Big Picture’s browser.

I have a feature I’d like to suggest. How can I influence the development of Big Picture as the beta progresses?
Join the Big Picture Steam Community Group to share your feedback and ideas. Have a favorite Steam feature you’d like to see make an appearance in Big Picture more? Or perhaps you have an idea of what you’d like to see added to Steam on your TV? Members of the Big Picture design and development team will review your comments and contributions when determining what features to build next.

How can I report a bug?
After joining the Big Picture Steam Community Group, visit the Report a Bug[http//Report+a+Bug] discussion and follow the instructions posted there.