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Steam Link hardware officially walks the plank, there's an app for that

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Valve has quietly mentioned that the Steam Link is selling out across the world with stock either sold out or about to be sold out. It's already sold out in Europe with stock in the US almost gone too, so if you want one you better act fast.

It's a shame, as I don't think they device really lived up to the potential it offered. Valve didn't exactly do a lot with it after release, although is did basically serve its purpose. We knew this day was coming, since it has repeatedly been on sale for next to nothing.

Valve will continue support it, but at this point they're probably hoping more people start using the Steam Link App which you won't need yet another device for picking up dust.

I was quite impressed with the Steam Link Android app at release. which Valve has slowly made some good improvements on like being able to stream to multiple devices, giving you some streamed local co-op.

Did you buy one? Are you sad to see it go? Do let us know in the comments.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Hardware, Steam, Valve
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49 comments
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PieOrCake Nov 20, 2018
Several times a week, my kids use the Link to stream from the gaming PC in the family room to the projector in the theatre room. They love it when their friends come around, although a few games don't work. For example; Street Fighter 4 Ultra streams video and audio, but controllers do nothing.
miro Nov 20, 2018
Well, I have one - it runs on my 2nd TV which is quite big (42") but not smart and also not really new, so the steam link is the way to go for me. Bought it back in the days when it was around €50.

I just hope valve does have new surprises for us for this/next year, things which some devs are not allowed to talk about yet.

The app runs just fine, but personally I rarely use it, since I usually want to stream to a TV, not my phone/tablet.

IMHO this happened too soon.
ripper Nov 20, 2018
I have a fairly recent Sony Bravia TV and the input latency is far better with dedicated Steam Link than with the Steam Link Android app. This is sad.
Merp Nov 20, 2018
If you wanna try out something similar but with a Raspberry Pi, check out this reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/9q580m/streaming_games_from_you_pc_to_you_pi_nivida_only/
jardon Nov 20, 2018
Has anyone had any issues with the video freezing when streaming a proton game from a Linux host to another device? Audio and input continue to work but the video steam freezes when focused on some proton games.

I opened a ticket with valve but was curious if any of you had that issue. Its a shame cause it makes my steam link far less useful.
Rutine Nov 20, 2018
Quoting: thelimeydragonThe App is the way to go, for multiple reasons.

I have an Android SmartTV and the Steam App runs great on it.

What multiple reasons? Would you care to share some of them? Because I only see drawbacks. Fortunately I bought the Steam Link, because I don't own a SmartTV (and have no plans of buying one anytime soon). And I think there are many people in the same situation.

Quoting: MerpIf you wanna try out something similar but with a Raspberry Pi, check out this reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/9q580m/streaming_games_from_you_pc_to_you_pi_nivida_only/

Thanks for sharing this ! I use a Rapsberry Pi as a home theater with OSMC, and I have the Steam Link too. But I'm curious to give this a try.

Quoting: jardonHas anyone had any issues with the video freezing when streaming a proton game from a Linux host to another device? Audio and input continue to work but the video steam freezes when focused on some proton games.

I opened a ticket with valve but was curious if any of you had that issue. Its a shame cause it makes my steam link far less useful.

The two Proton games I tested and streamed (Warlock Master of the Arcane and Orcs Must Die) both worked and streamed fine. With what games did you have this issue?
blindcoder Nov 20, 2018
Killing the steam link is probably killing game streaming for me once the hardware breaks down. I'm not going to connect a TV to my network. Those things are practically spies, spambots and hackme's all rolled into one.
Mezron Nov 20, 2018
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I had a link and sold it. I loved it at the time but I gave up Steam for about year and came back when Steamplay was talked about. I had no issues with it. It worked well. Family and I ended "Mother Russia Bleeds" and "I AM THE HERO" on it.
Mezron Nov 20, 2018
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Quoting: blindcoderKilling the steam link is probably killing game streaming for me once the hardware breaks down. I'm not going to connect a TV to my network. Those things are practically spies, spambots and hackme's all rolled into one.

Get a non-smart TV or a monitor. That is what I have in my living room, bedroom and basement. Just a dumb monitor connected to a HTPC for gaming and media watching.
wvstolzing Nov 20, 2018
Quoting: MerpIf you wanna try out something similar but with a Raspberry Pi, check out this reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/9q580m/streaming_games_from_you_pc_to_you_pi_nivida_only/

Another thing to try might be running Android on an RPi 3 B+ (which should(?) have enough power & bandwidth), and the Steam App on top of that.

*If* it works, it wouldn't be nvidia only (because dependent on Moonlight) either.
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