If you fancy a spot of Steam PC library gaming on your big screen TV Valve has been selling its Steam Link since late 2015. The regular price of this gaming set top box is £39.99, but it has been on offer as low as £12 or so previously. Now, those who have bought a Samsung TV in the last couple of years might by happy to learn that they can enjoy Steam Link functionality – sans extra hardware – thanks to a (US) beta release of the Steam Link app for Samsung TVs.
To recap, the Steam Link works as follows: “Just connect your Steam Link to your TV and home network, where it will automatically discover any computer running Steam. Then grab a controller and play your collection of games from the comfort of your couch.” Apparently its functionality can extend to streaming entertainment and apps not originally within the Steam ecosystem too.
VG247 reports that while Valve and Samsung announced this collaboration nearly a year ago, it has taken until now for the first beta app to appear on the Samsung Smart Hub. To get the app steer your 2016 or 2017 UHD Samsung smart TV to the hub and search for the Steam Link app (US only, beta).
As with the dedicated hardware, a wired connection is recommended to play your Steam games on the Samsung smart TV. That’s pretty easy to cater for, with the PowerLine networking systems available, if you don’t already have Ethernet wiring already in your abode. Wi-Fi is workable with at least 5GHz Wireless 802.11ac 2×2 (MIMO) if you really have to. The setup will be HTC Vive compatible for enjoying VR games too.
During the Beta the Steam Link app will stream at 1080p 60 fps but when it releases out of beta 4K support will be implemented, says VG247. Unfortunately the beta is US only according to the report but let’s hope the final release later this summer removes such restriction.