How long have you been longing to enjoy your games on a larger screen where you will see images enlarged to give you a real life feel? It would make a whole lot of sense to use your Linux, Mac, or Windows computer set as a quasi-tool for games, since the controllers of these games can work on operating systems in desktop computers.
All of the devices we detail will allow you to stream your favorite games from your PC monitor to your TV in various resolutions. Whether it’s playing video slots on your top list of sites or streaming Doom Eternal to your 4k TV, these devices can handle everything from browser-based games to AAA behemoths, as long as your PC can!
Now one problem normally arises here, and that’s the issue of having your PC set up in your study, while your TV is placed on the wall of your sitting room. You realize that it won’t make sense to run a very long HDMI cable to connect both devices.
Now what would be the best way to enjoy games using both devices? The correct answer here would be to stream the games from the PC to your TV set wherever it is located. To achieve this, you can use the 5 methods explained below.
- Miracast and Wireless HDMI Streaming
Many wireless HDMI systems that would work on desktop operating systems are easily available. They are designed to make the transmission of video and audio signals from one device to the other. So, it would be very easy to use them to enjoy games across devices. The first set of such devices were designed to work with systems like Intel’s WiDi and AMD Wireless Display. But there are newer versions now. For instance, the Miracast standard wireless connection supports windows and helps you stream videos and audios on your PC to your TV through the compatible dongle. The majority of makers of smart TVs of nowadays include the Miracast support on their gadgets. If this is the case with your new TV, you won’t have any need to go for a Miracat dongle again. However, $100 can get you a good dongle.
- Steam Link
Steam Link used to be in the form of hardware. But recently, it has been converted into a service that works with android tablets and smartphones. This also works on Samsung smart TVS and some Raspberry Pi.
You can use the Steam Link to stream all games available in the steam library, and this will give you the chance to design your own games console on the internet. If you have a PC that is equipped with Steam and activates the in-home streaming, you can enjoy game streaming with it. To do this, go to Steam > Settings and ensure that the streaming device, the computer and the TV set run on the same network.
- Create Your Own Steam Link with a Raspberry Pi
If you can’t afford the first options, but have access to a Raspberry Pi 2 or newer versions, you can use it to engineer what a Steam can do for you. Valve equipped the Raspberry Pi with custom Steam Link software. So, it’s easy to use it to stream pc games on TV. Even when you don’t want to be boxed to the corner of using the Raspberry Pi alone for the streaming, you can also have the Parsec software for games streaming. With this, you can stream games to your TV from a PC through Raspberry Pi. Now, the method of installation you employed in getting the game or the available digital download does not matter. Once you connect the Raspberry Pi to your TV, you can stream the games to your sitting room. Now, while the Steam Lite Box will be costlier than the Raspberry Pi 3, setting up the Raspberry Pi 3 may give you a whole lot of headache.
- Nvidia Gamestream
With the Nvidia Gamestream, you will get something similar to what the steam link will offer you. With this Nvidia Shield TV device, you can stream media from the internet to your TV. All you need to do is have the device and then a remote and game controller at hand. Ensure that the remote and game controllers are equipped with Microphones so as to achieve the voice command. Because a Mic is necessary, it might cost more than Steam Link. To get the Nvidia graphics card, you may have to spend up to $100.
If you have a laptop or PC that runs on the same network as the Nvidia GTX series GPU, games can easily be streamed from your computer to the TV through the Nvidia Shield TV. But if you have a below par gaming rig, then you can stream the games from the cloud through the Nvidia Shield TV. Currently, to get games streamed to your TV through the Nvidia Shield TV box, you have to pay up to $7.99 per month on the GeForce NOW package.
- Chromecast and Apple TV
If after reading all the options mentioned above, you still need an alternative, because you make use of a device like the Google Chromecast, Roku, or the Apple TV, you may have some options available.
However, it would be good to let you know that you may not get the best of results from them. To use the Google Chromecast to cast your PC to display games on your TV through your Google Chrome browser is an option. But this gives a very poor result. This comes with a very huge lag, which defeats the aim and makes games less fun.
For apple TV, many people have made attempts at hacking in for streaming. But when they succeed, they get a very poor result. There is also no proof that you can stream games from your PC to your TV through Xbox One. But, you can play on your Xbox One and the windows PC at the same time through the Xbox Play feature with just one purchase. So, while you have people watching TV programs on your TV, you can enjoy the games on your PC, only to get back to paying it on Xbox One when they leave.
While these methods may cost you some money, they will definitely give you better service and convenience than a long HDMI cable running through your living room.
[Written By External Partner]