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My Steam hardware arrived

Congrats, I keep going back and forth about picking up a Steam Controller. And they're releasing it so near to Fallout 4 (which would be the perfect game to acclimate to the new controller imo).
 
Congrats! I ordered mine via Gamestop. Can't wait for the 10th of November.
 
why don't more manufacturers copy the PlayStation controller model by having both grips side-by-side on the same level...makes much more sense that way and feels more like a Mouse should feel
 
polonyc2 said:
why don't more manufacturers copy the PlayStation controller model by having both grips side-by-side on the same level...makes much more sense that way and feels more like a Mouse should feel
Click to expand...

Because ergonomically this way is better. The PS4 controller can get uncomfortable for long sessions. I'm thinking of hacking one into a Xbox One controller shell.
 
Quix said:
Because ergonomically this way is better. The PS4 controller can get uncomfortable for long sessions. I'm thinking of hacking one into a Xbox One controller shell.
Click to expand...

Disagree. My fingers hurt using the 360 controller, and accessing the D Pad is not ergonomic at all because you have to shift your grip opposed to simply moving your thumb. If the PS3/4 controller had the support the Xbox did on the PC I would have bought one of those instead.
 
jonathonball said:
Pics!
Click to expand...

The Link is much smaller than I expected.

Yesterday I was at Microcenter. I almost picked up an Xbox 360 wired controller to use with RocketLeague. When I saw it was only $10 cheaper than the Steam Controller, I decided to put it off. As soon as a local GameStop has on I can try, I will.
 
I have had my steam link + controller for the last week. its quite good (need to move me router to ensure stable connection...)

as long as you take some time, or someone has, there should be some decent control settings out there for games.
 
Flogger23m said:
Disagree. My fingers hurt using the 360 controller, and accessing the D Pad is not ergonomic at all because you have to shift your grip opposed to simply moving your thumb. If the PS3/4 controller had the support the Xbox did on the PC I would have bought one of those instead.
Click to expand...

exactly...not having to shift your thumb around so much makes it much more comfortable and easier to use
 
Also interested in hearing how it works, and if many games are coming with default control sets. That is really one of the things that gives an Xbox controller an edge.
 
Still on the fence with that controller.... I'd need to use one before I'd consider it over an XBone or 360 pad.
 
Bummed out that the Steam Controller doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack on it - I knew the early models didn't, but figured they'd add it for the retail version.
 
Have had the Steam Link box and a set of controllers for a week now... Mixed feelings about them. Link needs a hard wired Ethernet connection to work well. (At least my wireless N setup isn't good enough for it to stream smoothly/consistently. With a wired connection though, it seems to works well enough.). For me at least, I simply can't get used to the controllers. They still feel like a "beta" hardware product that's not completely baked yet. I expected them to feel more revolutionary - perhaps work a bit more intuitively. Can't say I really enjoy them over a PS4 controller and I definitely don't seem them ever replacing my keyboard/mouse for gaming (not even a little bit)... Just too awkward. Considering returning mine, even if I have to eat a restocking fee.
 
How is the quality on the link? I am really interested in it and would love to stream games from my PC downstairs to my TV upstairs. Too bad I can't pre-order it. Is this thing going to be available on Amazon etc so I can buy from there?

NVM. Just put in the order on Amazon. Will cost me 70 bucks. Not a big deal. I spend more than that on a single game.
Is the controller worth purchasing? Apparently it does not ship to my home country so I will have to ship it in US and then ship it home (means double shipping; maybe about 40 bucks on a 50 bucks controller :rolleyes: ).

Can't even pre-order these items on steam which is horse shit.

QUESTION to owners of steam link. Is the power 110-240 volts or it is a 110 volts US plug only, because if it is I will have to cancel my order.
 
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I wish there was an opportunity to try before you buy, I heard the upper pads require a lot of thumb dexterity which I don't have my left hand and so I'm holding back for now.
 
KickAssCop said:
QUESTION to owners of steam link. Is the power 110-240 volts or it is a 110 volts US plug only, because if it is I will have to cancel my order.
Click to expand...

i don't know if this will answer your question but one of the pics in the first post shows a few adapters are included.
 
KickAssCop said:
How is the quality on the link? I am really interested in it and would love to stream games from my PC downstairs to my TV upstairs. Too bad I can't pre-order it. Is this thing going to be available on Amazon etc so I can buy from there?

NVM. Just put in the order on Amazon. Will cost me 70 bucks. Not a big deal. I spend more than that on a single game.
Is the controller worth purchasing? Apparently it does not ship to my home country so I will have to ship it in US and then ship it home (means double shipping; maybe about 40 bucks on a 50 bucks controller :rolleyes: ).

Can't even pre-order these items on steam which is horse shit.

QUESTION to owners of steam link. Is the power 110-240 volts or it is a 110 volts US plug only, because if it is I will have to cancel my order.
Click to expand...

Is that EU plug youre needing? Its in the picture as one of the adapters.
 
Yes I saw the EU plug but is it rated for 240 volts or only 110 volts. The adapter should read this info or the manual. Most devices these days are 110-240 but you never know when some idiot manufacturer only does a plug that can be used for one type of voltage.

Thanks either way for help.
 
Flogger23m said:
Disagree. My fingers hurt using the 360 controller, and accessing the D Pad is not ergonomic at all because you have to shift your grip opposed to simply moving your thumb. If the PS3/4 controller had the support the Xbox did on the PC I would have bought one of those instead.
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, Logitech makes a controller that's essentially a Playstation clone but it has options for both DirectInput and Xinput and as such works as an Xbox controller as far as your PC is concerned in Xinput mode.

Edit: Logitech F710
 
Spewn said:
For what it's worth, Logitech makes a controller that's essentially a Playstation clone but it has options for both DirectInput and Xinput and as such works as an Xbox controller as far as your PC is concerned in Xinput mode.

Edit: Logitech F710
Click to expand...

Yar, the F710 is my choice of PC controller. Pretty comfortable (it's more PS3 than PS4, mind you), and it played a good game of Arkham City.
 
The OP hasn't posted anything beyond some pictures. I'd be interested in his opinions of the Steam hardware. Also it would be cool if [H] did one of their patented no bullshit reviews of the various Steam Universe devices. Perhaps they're waiting for actual Steam Machines to launch first?
 
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crusty_juggler said:
The OP hasn't posted anything beyond some pictures. I'd be interested in his opinions of the Steam hardware. Also it would be cool if [H] did one of their patented no bullshit reviews of the various Steam Universe devices. Perhaps they're waiting for actual Steam Machines to launch first?
Click to expand...

I dig the link a lot. I've had a few problems getting just a few games to stream but they're not ones that I play. It seems to prefer games to be full screen. It's worthless over wifi, but they said as much when I purchased it so no surprises there. It's been silky smooth on a wired connection. Valve managed to deliver on my favorite selling point and that is support for XBOX 360 wireless controllers. I need to plug the USB dongle for the controllers into the link and it works with no config. Very happy with this. I entertain using local multiplayer games frequently and now I don't have to lug my PC downstairs. Get a link if you need/want such a thing; they are awesome.

The controller has been taking some getting used to but I'm still using it. The ability to play keyboard and mouse games is actually there, but you'll need to work through configuring the key mapping on a lot of games. You can choose between 3 pre-made generic button configs, community button configs, or you can roll your own. The community section is nice because you can try configs that other people have taken the time to build. (A few games had no community button configs) One of the generic templates for games that already support a controller tends to work as expected, that's been swell.

So far I've actually been able to play a few of the games that I always wished would support a controller but do not. The interface for editing the button configs is pretty easy to understand but I find it takes 20+ minutes of fiddling to get it right. I have multiple monitors and have been using a screen shot of the in game keybindings on another screen to save time. (No switching back and forth) Changing the regular keymap inside a game isn't necessary so switching between input methods is seamless.

One thing that was a pleasant surprise was two "paddle shifter" buttons on the rear of the controller. They are part of the battery compartment cover. I don't remember seeing them in the promos and have found them very useful. I heard the new high-end xbox controllers also have paddles; I hope this becomes a thing.

Controller Pros:
  • Ability to play keyboard and mouse games with a controller
  • Good build quality, nice heft, feels good in my hands
  • Nice fluid movement on the analog stick and triggers
  • Changing the regular keymap inside a game isn't necessary so switching between input methods is seamless

Controller Cons:
  • No place in or on the controller to store the accompanying USB dongle (WHY!?!?)
  • Super loud clicks from the rear paddle shifter buttons, the shoulder buttons, and pushing either touchpad like a button
  • (Desktop only) No ability to remap the buttons unless Steam is in big picture mode

I personally find it difficult to be precise when using the touch-pads as camera controls, but I suspect that may just be learning curve or I might be blinded by fanboyism. Adjusting the sensitivity has helped in a few cases. It seems to present as a HID and not a gamepad. It works as a mouse throughout Windows.
 
Worthless over wifi. Damn. Not sure how I can get a wired connection up and running. Will have to test that shit. Maybe I have an old cable that I could use.
 
KickAssCop said:
Worthless over wifi. Damn. Not sure how I can get a wired connection up and running. Will have to test that shit. Maybe I have an old cable that I could use.
Click to expand...

I'm on wireless N.. maybe the AC guys will have a better time?
 
KickAssCop said:
Worthless over wifi. Damn. Not sure how I can get a wired connection up and running. Will have to test that shit. Maybe I have an old cable that I could use.
Click to expand...

ethernet over coax (MoCA) or PowerLine ethernet are pretty inexpensive ways to get ethernet to the living room..
 
Thanks for the rundown, jonathonball. Your thoughts on Steam Link line up with what everyone else is saying, worthless over anything but Ethernet but again, no surprises in that regard. WiFi has known limitations that cannot be overcome with current tech.

Steam Controller reviews I've read have ranged from disappointment to complete panning of the device. Like you said, it has a large learning curve and requires much configuration and testing before being used in a game.

I wonder how first time PC gamers are going to react to Steam Controller once Steam Machines are released. 20 minutes of configuration and having to adapt to touchpads when dual-analog controls have been the standard for 15 years is a tough ask. I understand the Steam Controller is made for games which do not have controller support built in, but in 2015, how many games does this encompass and which of those games are attractive to first time PC gamers?
 
crusty_juggler said:
Like you said, it has a large learning curve and requires much configuration and testing before being used in a game.
Click to expand...

That isn't always the case. There have been a few instances, in fact just one today, in which I was able to select a community button config and was rolling in no time at all. If running in big screen mode or via the link; you can pull up the controller config and get a visual representation [a picture of the controller] of the current keymap. Even better, Steam allows you to alias the keybinding with descriptive titles, this way you see on the controller visual that the B button is for "open" and not "keyboard e". Very helpful when using a config someone else built or if it's simply your first time playing.

Creating these aliases is part of what takes so long to create the damn configs, but in the end I think it's worth it, especially when you factor in the community sharing aspect. It won't take long I think for there to be at least 1 pre-made config for every game on Steam. I've made and shared that 1 config for several games myself. 3 down ?? to go
 
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Are you able to use a PS4 controller with this thing? Or does it require some "hacking"/third party software?
 
jonathonball said:
I'm on wireless N.. maybe the AC guys will have a better time?
Click to expand...

What's the problem over wifi specifically? Latency? Do you have a good ping to the Steam Link otherwise, but streaming still doesn't work?

The reason I ask is I get pings of sub10(usually sub5)ms to my livingroom wifi devices(router in the basement), so I'm curious if that indicates I could use something like the link over WiFi or not. Running a cable isn't an option I'm fond of.
 
Spewn said:
What's the problem over wifi specifically? Latency? Do you have a good ping to the Steam Link otherwise, but streaming still doesn't work?

The reason I ask is I get pings of sub10(usually sub5)ms to my livingroom wifi devices(router in the basement), so I'm curious if that indicates I could use something like the link over WiFi or not. Running a cable isn't an option I'm fond of.
Click to expand...

Bandwidth and latency since it's streaming the video/audio from your PC to your TV, and your control input back to the PC. Needs a perfect connection with no lag/dropped packets or you will have issues playing. If you try and do this over wifi you're gonna have a bad time.
 
Worth mentioning that you don't need a Link to stream with Steam. Two computers running Steam will do it just fine. In either case, I highly recommend a wired connection.

edit: Second thought, Spewn, if you have two computers running Steam on the same LAN you can test the streaming right now without a Link. I use this occasionally to play Windows games on my Linux laptop. Just sign in with the same user on both machines.

I've found that games like Gal Civ III or similar types of turn based games tolerate being played over wifi much better than say.. GTA5.
 
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Hoping to see how good this controller handles a MMORPG like Rift, love to be able to do some questing/grinding while lounging on the couch.

I'm hoping with Rift's built-in macro-system I'll (or another community member) will figure out something comfortable for the game.
 
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