Steam Link and Steam Controller

itscsalvo · Postby **itscsalvo** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:47 am

I just received my Steam Link and Controller yesterday. So far, it's kind of meh. I've had some issues setting it up, and the performance is lackluster. However, I have a few things I could do to increase performance and decrease lag.

The Steam Link is about the same size as a portable hard drive and about the same weight. It's super cute and has a rubberized bottom to stick to surfaces, which is nice. Build quality on it is pretty outstanding.

The controller is also built well, but I feel like it might be too big for my baby hands, and still kind of feels like a plasticky "toy." I have to admit I don't like it right now, but I'm more than willing to give it a chance. The haptic feedback is very nice, and it's cool to control your desktop with it. The batteries fit really nicely inside, and it makes an adorable startup/shut down noise.

Overall, quality is nice but I need to get used to it. I mean, I'm fighting 10 years of Playstation and Xbox controller habits, so this is completely new.

On a conference call right now, but I can post pictures and report back later today.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:56 am

Both of these are very interesting products. Without having held the controller, I think it would take a long time to get use to. All other controllers have convex handles and Steam controller has concave. Not to mention the lack of an analog stick.

I think the Link is a neat product, but you really have to have specific needs for it. For those that don't know, the Link streams your game from your gaming PC to the Link that is hooked up to your TV. The gaming PC can not be used for anything while this is happening because it is showing the actual game and sending it to Link. The main argument against the Link is "Why do I need that when I have a 25 foot HDMI cable?" I fall into this category because I ran an HDMI cable in my wall from my TV to my desktop. It does make sense if you are gaming on a TV across the house.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:36 am

I just used the controller. itscsalvo brought it to work. I was able to open and close emails and excels with it. Didn't get a real feel for how it would work in a game, but was able to see how it fit my in my hand. It's a different feel for sure, but not a bad one. If you have to use the analog stick and the buttons at the same time your thumbs do feel crowded though.

The paddles on the back are neat. Coolest thing might be how the batteries fit in and change out.

Blue Jackets · Postby **Blue Jackets** » Sun Jan 17, 2016 9:39 pm

Still using either of the devices? Hardwire or wifi on Link? I assume the controller still feels weird in your hands

itscsalvo · Postby **itscsalvo** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 9:30 am

I just recently moved and I couldn't find my steam link at all until last night. I've used it recently to play Final Fantasy VII, and that's worked pretty well, but the analog stick is just sensitive. Could just be for the game. Haven't used it since I moved, though.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 10:53 am

Can't you control all controls? So make it less sensitive?

itscsalvo · Postby **itscsalvo** » Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:56 am

Yeah, I probably can, but I need to set this up when I eventually care. As of now, it does the job well enough.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Fri Jan 29, 2016 10:18 pm

Did you order the power line adapters for it? Is wifi just not an option? Did you uncheck that box?!

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 8:09 pm

$35 for either

http://slickdeals.net/f/8801439-steam-l ... ore-pickup

wags83 · Postby **wags83** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 8:25 pm

Damn, I just paid 40 for a new Xbox one controller because the cord connector isn't working on my wireless one.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 8:27 pm

wags83 wrote:Source of the post Damn, I just paid 40 for a new Xbox one controller because the cord connector isn't working on my wireless one.

It's okay, you would likely hate this controller and never use it.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:42 pm

Both are on sale again for $35 on Amazon, I bought the Link.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 3:55 pm

Big box for something the size of a portable hard drive. Will test it out tonight.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 6:54 pm

Salvo and tylersux, what are yours?

itscsalvo · Postby **itscsalvo** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 11:19 pm

I have no idea how to get to that option. Help me out, expert!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 11:40 pm

itscsalvo wrote:I have no idea how to get to that option. Help me out, expert!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

It popped up when I set it up. Maybe disconnect from network and redo it?

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 9:39 am

It's worth mentioning how nice the packaging and accessories are. Came with plug adapters for different countries and super slim HDMI and ethernet cables. Hoping to test Doom out later on it. Lag seems so minimal I could play Rocket League on it

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Sun Jul 10, 2016 3:24 pm

Salvo and tylersux. Does your Link go to this screen when you start it? Why wouldn't it auto connect to the PC? Am I powering it off wrong? When I am done I choose turn off Link vs stop streaming.

Salvo, this is there screen where you test the network connection. Option Y

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Thu Jul 21, 2016 7:13 am

I already shared this with the 2 people who might even remotely be interested in Steam Link wifi performance (Tylersux and Salvo), but I'll post about it anyways.

Just out of curiosity last night I tried the Steam Link over wifi and the performance was shocking. I was getting 60fps on 1080p with no lag. I was also using my unusual home network setup.
PC <ethernet> Router <powerline adapter> Router 2 <wifi 5ghz> Steam Link
It helps that the link is line of sight from the router.

Tyler · Postby **Tyler** » Thu Dec 22, 2016 7:23 am

Link is on sale for $20 again
https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Link-Pc/dp/B016XBGWAQ