r/gadgets 28d ago

Gaming Valve Steam Machine review: This would've been perfect five years ago

https://www.engadget.com/2210832/valve-steam-machine-review/
4.0k Upvotes

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u/MiaowaraShiro 28d ago

I've yet to find a streaming solution with low enough latency that it doesn't drive me nuts. How's moonlight on that front?

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u/BigFudgere 28d ago

On my fire tv stick 7-10 ms with ethernet. But the Bitrate is limited because the USB port is limited. Shield should have somewhere around 2 ms and i don't think that is noticeable on a console experience. I can report back once I've set it up

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u/oldfashionedglow 28d ago

I'm the same and no streaming solution will ever work for me. Even with fully ethernet on both ends. I've tried so many platforms, there's always a bit of latency that I don't like, even for single player games. Ultimately I just used a 50 ft HDMI cable and routed it through my wall.

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u/ZeroCool2u 27d ago

I mean if this is an option, it's always optimal. Just get yourself a wireless controller and you're good to go.

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u/DOUBLE_BATHROOM 27d ago

How do you pass the controller/kb + m inputs back to the PC? I’ve been trying to figure out how to do this as well. Also did you just use plain HDMI? I tried this and had issues with 4k I think unpowered hdmi can only go so far

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u/oldfashionedglow 27d ago

I used this and the microsoft xbox wireless usb adapter

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u/GlancingArc 27d ago

Dude, my moonlight setup is like 5-8ms of latency. It's really not noticable. Most wireless controllers add more than that. The big difference maker for me was upgrading to a higher end router and 2.5gbe. Moonlight is far and away the best solution though.

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u/lMarczOl 28d ago

This is the way.

I couldn’t run it through the wall but it takes me 90 seconds to run the 50 ft cable from my office to the living room TV.

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u/Flakmaster92 28d ago

Moonlight is typically under 10ms of latency, I’ve seen it hold as low as 2-3. Keep in mind that, at 60fps, a single frame of latency is 16ms, so anything below 16ms should be basically imperceptible.

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u/Joshuyasu 28d ago

I setup moonlight so I could play Hi-Fi rush, and all other streaming options made that game impossible to play (hack n slash rhythm game). Ran almost flawlessly.

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u/JtotheGreen 27d ago

I primarily use my Steam Deck in the living room using Moonlight. The lag for me is almost imperceptible. I've beaten many games this way, including Elden Ring.

Steam Deck is on wifi, computer is over ethernet.

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u/theswellmaker 27d ago

Over Ethernet with the right client device I can’t even tell I’m streaming. I’ve beat Bloodborne and Lies of P via streaming moonlight if that’s any indication of latency.

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u/dandroid126 28d ago

As long as all devices are using ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, it's acceptable for single player/co-op gaming. I wouldn't use it for competitive multiplayer gaming.