Help: Streaming Steam to a Mini-PC

[SpaceBooger]

so I did set up the home streaming on my Lenovo POS Win8 machine. It's hooked up to the CRT in my game room. This machine is nothing special, 4GB RAM, off-the-shelf. I set it up (after quite a bit of Googling how to accomplish this in Win8) so that when I turn the box on, it fires up Steam in Big Picture Mode and logs me in. It's pretty cool, because other than seeing the loading screens in the beginning, it feels like a more console style experience.

So far, I'm impressed w/ the streaming. I played about an hour of Metal Slug 3 and had no issues w/ lag, slowdown or stuttering.

I'm also liking some of the possibilities of this that maybe haven't been highlighted. For instance: As long as you add non-Steam games to your Steam library's launcher, you can easily stream those as well. I just tested it with Madden 08.

I tried Madden too. The aspect ratio was off and I had to use the mouse to choose play.

Here is my idea for a streaming steam box:

• This barebones system with 4gb RAM and a 250GB HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6856119082
  (I still don't know if it is much better than this one which is $45 cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6856119090)
  This mini keyboard/touchpad for navigation (not to play games with): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 2C517C8579
  And I will run Steam OS (don't have another copy of windows nor do I want to buy another copy) and play only controller enabled games. If this works well then I will not be upgrading consoles past my WiiU.

[noiseredux]

I tried Madden too. The aspect ratio was off and I had to use the mouse to choose play.

ah, I didn't actually play the game. Just launched it to confirm it could be done.

I did notice that you needed a mouse in menu though, so was contemplating a wireless keyboard/mouse combo myself...

This mini keyboard/touchpad for navigation (not to play games with): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 2C517C8579

thank you! This looks like a pretty cool and cheap solution.

And I will run Steam OS (don't have another copy of windows nor do I want to buy another copy) and play only controller enabled games.

Let me know how this goes. I really like the Big Picture mode setup, but for purely streaming, I've also considered SteamOS instead of Win8. My concern is that it's a beta, so who knows how good it is so far. But since you have no other option, you can be the guinea pig. Though I have thought about attempting to partition the HDD and run SteamOS but keep Win8 just in case.

One thing to keep in mind though - is there anyway to confirm that the wireless kb/m will work with SteamOS?

[SpaceBooger]

It says the mini kb/mouse works in Linux so it should work.
I also asked on the steam os community and they said it should.

[noiseredux]

ah right right - I was sort of forgetting that SteamOS is built on a Linux distro. And if you don't find the Beta robust enough, you could also just install a Linux build on your rig and then install the Linux version of Steam on there to stream to.

[Cronozilla]

Until this stuff gets sorted out, and I'm sure it will. I actually think the streaming to android using Splashtop 2 is a bit better.

The only caveat is you have to setup the games so they run in some form of windowed mode (or you use a for-pay version of the software). But it will stream a 1080P desktop across the network, and pass through a 360 controller's data back to the computer.

I think an old tablet or phone with HDMI out might even be cheaper than building some rig.

The only advantage I would see in building a separate box would be if you're also using it as a HTPC and replacing your TV box with it as well.

That's what I've been thinking, anyway.

[noiseredux]

so I put a Win7 machine in my basement in the ol' Dreamcab (since that DC console died). However, it turns out that trying to stream via wifi on a poor connection does not go well. Not well at all.

[SpaceBooger]

I tried it via wired connection to a Vista laptop and it worked ok. I think the connection is the most important thing right now until it can buffer like netflix.

[noiseredux]

I have a wired streaming box on my crt. Works great. But wifi is rough.

[noiseredux]

Anyone had any experience with one of those adapters to turn an electrical outlet into an ethernet port?

[fastbilly1]

Until this stuff gets sorted out, and I'm sure it will. I actually think the streaming to android using Splashtop 2 is a bit better.

How well does that work? I have Splashtop 2 HD for my phone and it streams video alittle choppy but functionally. Does gaming work well enough?

Anyone had any experience with one of those adapters to turn an electrical outlet into an ethernet port?

I have never had any good luck with those, but you get what you pay for. I had constant drops of connection on lowend ones on good wiring, but much better luck with more expensive ones.