Streaming games from your PC to a TV using a Raspberry Pi via Steam Link is a great way to enjoy gaming on a larger screen. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it up:
What You Need:
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Raspberry Pi (3B or later is recommended for better performance)
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MicroSD Card (8GB or larger recommended)
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Power Supply for Raspberry Pi
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HDMI Cable to connect Raspberry Pi to TV
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Ethernet Cable or Wi-Fi connection (Ethernet is recommended for better streaming performance)
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USB Keyboard and Mouse for initial setup
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Steam Controller or another compatible controller (optional, but recommended for gaming)
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PC with Steam installed and connected to the same network
Step 1: Prepare Your Raspberry Pi
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Download Raspberry Pi OS: Go to the Raspberry Pi website and download the Raspberry Pi Imager.
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Write OS to MicroSD Card: Insert your MicroSD card into your computer and use the Raspberry Pi Imager to write the Raspberry Pi OS to the card.
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Insert MicroSD Card into your Raspberry Pi, connect the keyboard, mouse, and HDMI cable to your TV, and then power it up.
Step 2: Initial Setup of Raspberry Pi
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Follow the Setup Wizard: When you first boot up, you'll go through some initial setup steps like setting your country, language, and password.
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Connect to the Internet: Make sure your Raspberry Pi is connected to the same network as your PC either via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
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Update Your System: Open a terminal and run the following commands to make sure your system is up to date:
sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade
sudo reboot
Step 3: Install Steam Link
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Open Terminal on Raspberry Pi.
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Install Steam Link by running:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamlink
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Launch Steam Link: You can find it under the Games menu or run it from the terminal:
steamlink
Step 4: Connect to Your PC
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Open Steam on Your PC: Make sure Steam is running and you are logged in.
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Start Steam Link on Raspberry Pi: When you start Steam Link, it will search for computers on the network running Steam.
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Pair Devices: Once your PC appears, select it. You might need to enter a PIN on your PC that Steam Link on your Raspberry Pi provides.
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Adjust Settings: You can adjust streaming settings in Steam Link to optimize performance based on your network and preferences.
Step 5: Start Streaming
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Connect Your Controller: Connect a Steam Controller or another compatible controller to your Raspberry Pi.
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Choose Your Game: Once Steam Link is connected and streaming, you can control your PC's Steam library directly from your Raspberry Pi. Just select a game and start playing!
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Use Ethernet Connections: If possible, connect both your PC and Raspberry Pi via Ethernet to minimize latency and improve streaming quality.
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Adjust Streaming Quality: In Steam Link settings, you can adjust the streaming quality to match your network capabilities.
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Keep Systems Updated: Regularly update both your PC's Steam client and your Raspberry Pi's software to ensure compatibility and performance improvements.
By following these steps, you should be able to enjoy a seamless game streaming experience from your PC to your TV using a Raspberry Pi and Steam Link. Enjoy your gaming!