The advent of Steam and other platforms to buy PC games has relaunched a sector, that of computer video games, in these years increasingly profitable thanks to the best graphics performance, mods and tournaments organized nationally and internationally. Many users, however, still prefer to play in the living room, in front of the TV, so they often combine PC games with a modern console, so that they can play in any room they are in.
And if we can't take a console, how can we play PC games on TV "> Here are our recommendations for this type of configuration:
1) Let's avoid the 2.4 GHz network : this type of WiFi network is subject to interference (even if it buys a greater distance, even 5-6 rooms) and is often not fast enough to manage the transmission of the game.
2) For wireless connections we use the 5 GHz network : this type of network is very fast and suffers from less interference, even if the coverage is lower (2 rooms maximum).
We use the 5 GHz WiFi network if we don't want to use the cable to play PC games on TV.
3) Ethernet connectivity: if the modem / router is close enough, we can directly use the Ethernet cables to connect the TV.
4) Powerline connectivity : if the 5GHz network signal does not arrive in the room where you want to play and the router is far away, we can use the Powerline adapters, so as to carry the transmission signal via the home's electrical network.
We carefully choose the method to be used to transmit the game signal from the PC, because many of the problems and errors (lag) during the game are due to the choice of an unsuitable connection type.
In addition to the TV (or the devices connected to it), the PC must also be connected with a stable and fast connection: I always recommend the Ethernet cable and, where it is not possible, the 5 GHz WiFi network.
Play with the Steam Link for TV
One of the most effective ways to play PC games on TV is to use the Steam Link device, available here -> Steam Link (€ 49).
We can read some of the reviews on the product and also buy it on the Steam platform, directly from here -> Steam Link (€ 49).
This device allows you to start a game on the gaming PC (perhaps in the bedroom) and enjoy it in the living room on the 50-inch TV, therefore using the PC hardware to play remotely, as if it were a console.
The device will transmit both the audio and the video of the game from the PC (will exploit its resources) to the TV and will act as an access point for the controllers (compatible both the Xbox controllers and the PS4 controllers, as well as to the controller developed by Steam itself), by sending our commands (the pressed keys) from the device to the PC.
Configuring it is very simple: it connects to the WiFi network (I strongly recommend 5 GHz network) or via cable (ideal solution to avoid lag or delays) to the home router, you connect the HDMI cable to the TV and you access Steam via the own account; now you just have to start the Steam program on the PC where the game will actually be played and take advantage of the Big Picture interface to play all the titles, without having to be in front of the monitor.
In addition to the games Steam Link also allows you to open some websites such as YouTube, Spotify and others, acting like a small TV Box when we don't need to play.
Play PC games using the Miracast connected to the TV
If we have a Miracast compatible TV, we can stream the full screen of the monitor to the TV, so that we can also play on much larger TVs.
In this case the only limit is given by the controller, which must however be positioned close to the PC in order to manage the inputs (preferably wireless or Bluetooth).
The TV we own is not compatible with Miracast "> Microsoft P3Q-00012 V2 (€ 64).
Once connected to the TV, configure it to access our WiFi network, so as to provide support for Miracast on all TVs without.
To broadcast the game to TV via Miracast all we have to do is turn on the PC, turn on the TV with Miracast (native or not) and use the Connect function, present in the notification center in Windows 10.
If the PC is compatible with Miracast we will see the Microsoft adapter appear in the list; select it to transmit the audio and video signal to the TV.
Play PC games on TV with Chromecast
Even the Chromecast can be used to play PC games on TV, but it has roughly the same limits as the Miracast (for controllers we will still have to stay close to the PC).
If we don't have Chromecast yet, we can view it using the link here -> Chromecast (€ 39).
Once configured and connected to the home WiFi network, we will have to install Google Chrome in order to transmit the full screen of the PC.
If we don't have Google Chrome yet, we can download it from here -> Google Chrome .
Once the browser is downloaded, open it and, in the menu at the top right, click on the item Send -> Send desktop .
The Chromecast that we have installed on the network will be displayed, select it and minimize Google Chrome (without closing it), then open Steam or any other platform or PC games and start playing on TV.
As explained in another article, there are many Chromecast games to play in front of the TV even with friends
Play on TV with a mini PC from the living room
If the previous solutions have not convinced you, there is another way to play PC games on TV without having to focus on a console: use a mini PC for the living room.
By placing this mini PC next to the TV, we will be able to play all compatible games, even the largest PCs, connect any type of controller and take advantage of the other programs available for Windows, so as to obtain a real multimedia center.
In another article, the guide on how to make a living room mini PC suitable for gaming and video viewing .
To finish, of course, we need to buy a controller or joypad to play on PC with any game, among those recommended
