Steam Big Picture Mode Beta Out

JediYoshiJediYoshi The Cupcake Boss Join Date: 2002-05-27 Member: 674Members
edited September 2012 in Off-Topic
<center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EFrL6-OhN94"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EFrL6-OhN94" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>
<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/bigpicture/" target="_blank">http://store.steampowered.com/bigpicture/</a>

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/VP8a8.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/DNHZh.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/Sz4V6.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/TTpGm.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/QBjGQ.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Comments

  • ellnicellnic Join Date: 2010-07-19 Member: 72559Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Can you also play your games on it? It would be cool if you could
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1975406:date=Sep 10 2012, 08:41 PM:name=ellnic)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ellnic @ Sep 10 2012, 08:41 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1975406"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Can you also play your games on it? It would be cool if you could<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Uh, yeah, you could always play Steam games on your TV, this is just a new UI to help you launch your games (and do everything else) with a controller.
  • ellnicellnic Join Date: 2010-07-19 Member: 72559Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    I ment like small indie games like the popcap games. Not like NS2 or CS:GO
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1975748:date=Sep 11 2012, 11:06 AM:name=ellnic)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ellnic @ Sep 11 2012, 11:06 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1975748"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I ment like small indie games like the popcap games. Not like NS2 or CS:GO<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    ...yes? You can play every Steam game through Steam. That is what Steam does.
  • SvenpaSvenpa Wait, what? Join Date: 2004-01-03 Member: 25012Members, Constellation
    I've heard rumors that you can't use anything but a xbox controller and emulators to circumvent that is blocked.Also something about having to manually set the resolution and which monitor it should use each computer restart but that's a bit more vague.
  • JediYoshiJediYoshi The Cupcake Boss Join Date: 2002-05-27 Member: 674Members
    edited September 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1975785:date=Sep 11 2012, 10:01 AM:name=Svenpa)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Svenpa @ Sep 11 2012, 10:01 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1975785"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I've heard rumors that you can't use anything but a xbox controller and emulators to circumvent that is blocked.Also something about having to manually set the resolution and which monitor it should use each computer restart but that's a bit more vague.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You mean xbox controller emulators? The one I know of doesn't work, though since the gamepad they advertise on the bpm page is a logitech one, it's obviously just a matter of compatibility issues as opposed to them actively blocking it. The 360 controller is probably the intended controller though seeing as that's what most people use anyway and the guide button being used in conjunction with bringing up the overlay now.

    Nothing's inherently broken with the resolution set up, they allow you to chose between 720 and 1080 and autodetects it fine to begin with. There is no monitor selection (though this only affects people with multi monitor setups anyway) options but people have already made batch files to auto set it up.

    <!--quoteo(post=1975748:date=Sep 11 2012, 09:06 AM:name=ellnic)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ellnic @ Sep 11 2012, 09:06 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1975748"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I ment like small indie games like the popcap games. Not like NS2 or CS:GO<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It's literally just an alternate interface for Steam, functionally it's identical to just using Steam normally.

    <center><object width="450" height="356"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CnjvZR9YgWk"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CnjvZR9YgWk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="356"></embed></object></center>
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    It's like they're trying to make a console without making a console.

    I welcome this, maybe my score will stay consistently higher because an increased number will try game pads with PC games. That's some great thinking there Valve.

    The only way I see this being fun is in single player or coop games.
  • sherpasherpa stopcommandermode Join Date: 2006-11-04 Member: 58338Members
    Would love to try this but the TV is about 25 feet away in the living room... Any suggestions for hooking it up to the PC?
  • CabooseCaboose title = name(self, handle) Join Date: 2003-02-15 Member: 13597Members, Constellation
    30 foot HDMI cable?
  • ellnicellnic Join Date: 2010-07-19 Member: 72559Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited September 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=1975783:date=Sep 11 2012, 05:58 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 11 2012, 05:58 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1975783"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->...yes? You can play every Steam game through Steam. That is what Steam does.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Oh I thought your first post was being sarcastic. Sorry for the confusion
  • ANeMANeM Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16267Members, Constellation
    edited September 2012
    Latest beta build allows you to install games to different hard drives, as long as they use the latest steam filesystem. I have to say, I'm more interested in this than big picture.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    <!--quoteo(post=1976127:date=Sep 12 2012, 12:07 AM:name=Caboose)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Caboose @ Sep 12 2012, 12:07 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1976127"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's like they're trying to make a console without making a console.

    I welcome this, maybe my score will stay consistently higher because an increased number will try game pads with PC games. That's some great thinking there Valve.

    The only way I see this being fun is in single player or coop games.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Actually, with their attempting to get Linux into being a truly possible platform as far as gaming (native clients, native Source games) I'd say this is more of the second step. They're just perfecting the UI for a cheap, small 'console' made from off the shelf PC parts, running Linux and booting directly into the Steam interface. They've wanted to make the Steambox a reality for quite a while.
  • sherpasherpa stopcommandermode Join Date: 2006-11-04 Member: 58338Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1976418:date=Sep 12 2012, 06:43 PM:name=Caboose)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Caboose @ Sep 12 2012, 06:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1976418"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->30 foot HDMI cable?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    They seem super expensive. I saw a HDMI converter that uses an ethernet cable, but it's not compatible with DVI and I think the output from a modern graphics card is DVI?
  • spellman23spellman23 NS1 Theorycraft Expert Join Date: 2007-05-17 Member: 60920Members
    There's some new shiny tech coming out that will let us eventually have integrated wireless monitors and displaying on the TV.

    But that's in the far future unfortunately.
  • ellnicellnic Join Date: 2010-07-19 Member: 72559Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1977191:date=Sep 13 2012, 09:13 PM:name=spellman23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (spellman23 @ Sep 13 2012, 09:13 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1977191"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->There's some new shiny tech coming out that will let us eventually have integrated wireless monitors and displaying on the TV.

    But that's in the far future unfortunately.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That is something I do want to see!!!
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1977138:date=Sep 13 2012, 02:00 PM:name=sherpa)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sherpa @ Sep 13 2012, 02:00 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1977138"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They seem super expensive. I saw a HDMI converter that uses an ethernet cable, but it's not compatible with DVI and I think the output from a modern graphics card is DVI?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <a href="http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023102&p_id=2753&seq=1&format=2" target="_blank">http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....=1&format=2</a>

    It's under $30
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    edited September 2012
    Getting video from one end to the other is less of a problem than getting peripherals there. With the short maximum range of a USB cable, and limit on the number of powered hubs you can use to chain them together, at best it's a hack, and at worst it simply doesn't work at all. And at worst a guest plugs something in somewhere in the chain that shouldn't be... an infected USB key, a keylogger, a phantom keystroke generator as a joke...

    Also, DVI->HDMI is sub-optimal as it doesn't allow you to set the HDMI-out as the audio destination, to get the signal to the TV or home theater setup. Looking at closer to $50 for a 30-foot HDMI cable, which are more expensive. I've been puzzling over this one myself for a little while.
  • sherpasherpa stopcommandermode Join Date: 2006-11-04 Member: 58338Members
    Turns out I can't judge distances- I whipped out the tape measure and it's only 15m.

    I too thought that DVI -> HDMI didn't include sound but when I lived at my parents house I had a TV in my bedroom and a DVI -> HDMI cable made the TV output sound. I googled it and it seems modern day graphics card have onboard sound processors and DVI is almost identical to HDMI, so it can carry sound it just isn't officially supported. The HDMI port in my graphics card is a mini one, so I might look at a mini HDMI -> HDMI adapter and a 15m HDMI cable.

    As for the controller, the Microsoft website says their wireless 360 controller for Windows gives range of up to 30m, and as my bedroom to living room is <i>almost</i> line of sight, I'm very tempted to try this out...
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Be aware that just because they make 50' long HDMI cables, it doesn't mean they'll actually <i>work</i> without degradation. With anything over 20' (<b>feet</b>, not meters) it is generally recommended to use an amplifier, or signal bridge. As 15 meters is 49 feet and change... I'd recommend factoring in the cost of an amp to go along with the horrendously overpriced cable. Also still haven't seen a DVI cable that allows for audio transfer. Most I've seen that advertise audio as well, provide a separate line with a headphone jack plug bonded to the DVI cable.

    If I was personally going that route, I'd just get a powered Cat5e bridging link instead. It'd likely be cheaper than the super-long HDMI cable alone. And the X360 controller (or a PS3 controller with a bluetooth dongle and MotionJoy) will very likely work over the distances involved. (Want to test? Take your 360 controller across the house, and see if you can still turn on your xbox at what kind of range.)
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    <!--quoteo(post=1979773:date=Sep 19 2012, 07:12 AM:name=Talesin)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Talesin @ Sep 19 2012, 07:12 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1979773"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Be aware that just because they make 50' long HDMI cables, it doesn't mean they'll actually <i>work</i> without degradation.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Degredation in a digital signal?

    --Scythe--
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Yes. It can manifest as packet loss, blocking, freezing, image artifacts, sound loss, or just plain attenuation beyond the point where the display refuses to recognize it as a valid signal. Constantly or intermittently. The signal strength still degrades, even if it doesn't get staticky and still semi-visible as with an analog signal... it just cuts out and goes weird/flaky at random.

    Yes, signal degradation affects digital transport as well. I didn't say /image/ degradation. Though any internal deblocking and applying streaming compressed video to a frozen image can screw the image quality pretty severely; people with cable likely have seen at least one incident of a frozen picture of the screen being manipulated after a scene change, so you can see someone's face talking, but 'skinned' with the last frame of the commercial that was just on. That's because a packet or ten were dropped between your cable box and the concentrator (or your dish missed some of the data stream), so it never received the next 'sync' frame (though that's through the coaxial network and not an HDMI cable, only listed as an example of digital signal degradation that many are likely familiar with). It clears itself up when the next sync frame comes through.

    Longer cables also increase the chance of intermittent RF interference with the signal, causing faster degradation if the cable isn't shielded properly or has a break in the shielding along its length.



    Short version; long HDMI cables = tend toward flaky and bad, even though they do make them, and charge through the nose. Get a signal amp at least, or just use a signal bridge. It's what they were designed for.
  • sherpasherpa stopcommandermode Join Date: 2006-11-04 Member: 58338Members
    Thanks for the info Talesin.
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