PC, Laptop, TV, Network...I have no idea

Illgresi · 13 Nov 2017 at 00:39

The thread title covers the different areas of the question I wish to ask, and also the different forums where I could have placed this thread. I have no idea which is the most appropriate, so I shot for GD and I hope this is not out of place.

I've just bought a new 4k TV. I have a desktop with a 4k monitor and an R9 390x. I also have a decent (but not outstanding) laptop with a GeForce 940mx, and a fairly good cable connection (58 MB/s).

I can stream all I need, play all I need on just about the highest settings available, but I really would love one thing. My desktop is in my bedroom where my girlfriend goes to bed a number of hours earlier than me. I'd like to be able to use my new TV as the screen for streaming games to. Our flat isn't huge, but it is long, it took a 20 m ethernet cable to reach the bedroom. The desktop is wired, the TV is wired, the latop is wifi, but can be wired if necessary. I want to stream games from my desktop, but use the TV when my girlfriend is in bed so as not to disturb her (she claims it doesn't bother her, but we all know not to rely on that!).

I'm thinking there are a couple of options I know of, but none of them are perfect. I was hoping you all could help me? Thanks

1. Run an HDMI cable, and a USB extender along the hall. (not sure if possible)

2. Stream through Steam to laptop, connect laptop to TV. (limits to 1080p I would imagine)

Is there a possibility of using all or some of my devices to use my TV as the screen for my desktop, perhaps by streaming through the network, whilst using the lkaptop indirectly as the keyboard/mouse input? Or is there a cleverer option? Thanks everyone!

BongoHunter · 13 Nov 2017 at 02:55

Can you not get a Steam Link from yout main PC to your new TV - assuming the TV is in your lounge in all of this? They are cheap, and you can just use the laptop as you do now.

spoffle · 13 Nov 2017 at 04:05

For the best experience, I'd say move the computer next to the TV, though I know you probably don't want to do that.

It depends what games you're playing. You're not really gonna want to play competitive shooters via streaming, but I think you can actually stream games I UHD via in Steam in house streaming, providing the bandwidth is there when you're doing computer to computer, and your laptop can output a UHD signal.

Illgresi · 13 Nov 2017 at 05:38

spoffle said:
For the best experience, I'd say move the computer next to the TV, though I know you probably don't want to do that.

It depends what games you're playing. You're not really gonna want to play competitive shooters via streaming, but I think you can actually stream games I UHD via in Steam in house streaming, providing the bandwidth is there when you're doing computer to computer, and your laptop can output a UHD signal.

The issue is that my laptop is only 1080. At least I assume that's the max it can put out given the screen is 1080.

I'm not so worried about frame rates etc...my desktop can provide the power required. I'm more concerned about convenience. I'm beginning to think option 1 is tops. 20 m is fine for HDMI?

spoffle · 13 Nov 2017 at 09:34

Illgresi said:
The issue is that my laptop is only 1080. At least I assume that's the max it can put out given the screen is 1080.

I'm not so worried about frame rates etc...my desktop can provide the power required. I'm more concerned about convenience. I'm beginning to think option 1 is tops. 20 m is fine for HDMI?

Display outputs don't work like that. The internal display connection is separate to what the physical display outputs are capable of. Your laptop might have HDMI 2.0, which will allow UHD at 60Hz. It's probably got at least HDMI 1.4, which will allow UHD at 30Hz.