[Software] How to Play PC Games On a Smart TV

[XAMI]

 

Both Android TVs and Samsung TVs now let you play your PC games on a smart TV via the free Steam Link app. Here we’re going to show you how you can play PC games on your Smart TV.

 

Steam is the dominant platform of PC gaming. And while some may be wary of its tight grip on PC, it’s justified that position through a steady rollout of great gamer-friendly features. One of the best developments of recent years is Steam Link and Remote Play.

 

The former lets you stream PC games from your PC to other devices, including your smart TV, while the latter lets you play your PC games on other devices even when you’re not on the same network!

 

Notes:

 

• For best performance, you should have both your main PC and your TV connected to the internet via an ethernet cable. That failing, you should consider a homeplug adapter, which will still offer a more stable connection than Wi-Fi.
• You can also use this method to play non-Steam games (and even emulated console games) by adding them to your Steam library.

 

• Enable Remote Play and Steam Link

First, make sure that Remote Play is enabled on the PC from which you want to stream your games. Open Steam on that PC, click “Steam -> Settings -> Remote Play” and make sure the “Enable Remote Play” box is checked.

 

 

At this point, if there are any non-Steam games you may want to play through your TV, add them to Steam by clicking “Add a Game” at the bottom left corner of Steam, and “Add a Non-Steam Game”. Select all the games you want to add, then click “Add Selected Programs”.

 

 

Next, download the Steam Link app on your TV. If you have an Android TV, download the Steam Link app through the Play Store on the TV. On a Samsung TV, you’ll find the Steam Link app in the Samsung Smart Hub.

 

• Connect Controller to TV

Connect Controller via Bluetooth

Now it’s time to connect your gamepad to your TV. Most TVs have Bluetooth, and you should be able to go to your TV’s Settings, find the Bluetooth option, then search for your controller. Your controller will need to be in pairing mode for your TV to find it.

 

 

• To put an Xbox 360/One controller into pairing mode, press the Xbox button so it’s slowly flashing, then hold the pairing button on the top side of the controller until the Xbox button light starts flashing more rapidly.
• To put a PS4 controller into pairing mode, press and hold the PlayStation and Share buttons on the controller until the light bar starts flashing rapidly.

 

Your controller should appear as discovered on your TV screen. Select it using your remote control, and it will connect to your TV.

 

• Connect Controller Another Way

If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth, an alternative is to plug your controller into it using a USB cable. Or, if you’re really set on going wireless you can get a wireless dongle like the 8Bitdo Bluetooth Adapter, which plugs into the back of your TV then transmits a Bluetooth signal to your controller.

 

• Conclusion

With your PC on, Remote Play enabled and a controller connected, you should now be able to go into the Steam Link app on your smart TV and play your PC games. If the quality isn’t right or performance choppy, consider turning down the Quality setting from Beautiful to Balanced or Fast in the Steam Link app on your TV.

 

Robert, Z. (2020, February 03). How to Play PC Games On a Smart TV. Retrieved from https://www.maketecheasier.com/play-pc-games-on-a-smart-tv/