Steam on your TV

Excellent, all I need is a menu shortcut in Windows Media Center to launch Steam in Big Picture mode and be able to exit Steam and be pumped back to Media Center. Even better would be if I could use the Microsoft remote control to navigate around Steam...

Will certainly make some use of the 8800GT I've got in the HTPC... hell, might even push me to upgrade it if it makes it easier :)
 
I don't quite understand how this is supposed to work will I need my PC attached to my TV in which case could have just done that anyway without this function. I assumed it would work similar to how Onlive works.
 
michaelp said:
I don't quite understand how this is supposed to work will I need my PC attached to my TV in which case could have just done that anyway without this function. I assumed it would work similar to how Onlive works.
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It just makes it lot more comfortable on TV and it will support controller. But yes obviously you still need PC connected to the TV.
Plenty of people have their PCs connected to their TVs, so for them (me) it is amazing update.
 
michaelp said:
I don't quite understand how this is supposed to work will I need my PC attached to my TV in which case could have just done that anyway without this function. I assumed it would work similar to how Onlive works.
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It's a 10-foot user interface for Steam.

Most PC user-interfaces are assuming that you're less than a couple of feet away from the screen, and using a mouse - so you get small buttons, small text, and lots of stuff showing on screen.

A 10' UI is designed for use with something like a remote, or a controller, and will be bigger, have larger icons, larger text, and less cluttered on screen.

Underneath it's still the same Steam you know and love - but if you've got a PC in the living room that's decent enough to play games, this allows you to browse and launch them without having to reach for the keyboard and mouse, or moving closer to the screen to see what you're doing.
 
What is super cool about it is that it will have possibility to start right after windows, bypassing windows completely. PC booting up in few seconds (SSD) right into fullscreen steam containing all my games, steam and nonsteam - perfect.
 
I see thanks for clearing that up it still sounds like a brilliant idea anyhow ill have to check it out once I get a better system.
 
My PC is miles away which is a shame, otherwise I would have got a mega long HDMI cable routed down the stairs, but then I would have no way of getting a pad working :/ I suppose an extra long USB cable fitted to the dongle might work. Lot of hassle though
 
Interesting, wonder how they'll get the direct boot working, license from MS for DX as nearly all games need the DX API to run, you simply couldn't boot Steam and play your entire library of games running without some form of Windows in the background?? Could you, unless they intend to use the Linux version, but isn't that going to limit the number of games you could play?

I see this as Valve moving closer to releasing their own set top box for mainstream living room PC gaming...

Its good idea, I'll give it go once it goes live. The new style onscreen keyboard looks rather neat, wonder if they'll devise a way to play keyboard and mouse games with a gamepad? something like a keypad mapper or something like key 2 joy uses?
 
iv-tecman said:
Interesting, wonder how they'll get the direct boot working, license from MS for DX as nearly all games need the DX API to run, you simply couldn't boot Steam and play your entire library of games running without some form of Windows in the background?? Could you, unless they intend to use the Linux version, but isn't that going to limit the number of games you could play?

I see this as Valve moving closer to releasing their own set top box for mainstream living room PC gaming...

Its good idea, I'll give it go once it goes live. The new style onscreen keyboard looks rather neat, wonder if they'll devise a way to play keyboard and mouse games with a gamepad? something like a keypad mapper or something like key 2 joy uses?
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Am I missing something? You have to hook your PC up to your TV, you press a special button on Steam and it makes it into a big UI. So windows etc is already loaded as you have to use your PC. Or do you mean boot your PC right into the new UI without getting to a windows desktop first.
 
voorhees1979 said:
Am I missing something? You have to hook your PC up to your TV, you press a special button on Steam and it makes it into a big UI. So windows etc is already loaded as you have to use your PC. Or do you mean boot your PC right into the new UI without getting to a windows desktop first.
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Maybe I've missed a valid point myself, a post above mentioned bypassing windows, maybe poster meant windows still loads but you never see the windows login screen, it boots direct to Steam?

maybe its me missing a point, so dont worry about it lol
 
Has to be built into XBMC as soon as possible to stop having to switch around programs

Think its becoming clear that steam are aiming for a console type box in the future which can at least play all of valves current titles well at 1080p.

Also requires android app to control it :D
 
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Now we know why EA were so keen on buying Valve!

With things like this,you can`t even get annoyed with HL3s delay. :D

Does the public beta go live later today then?
 
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