Best option for streaming to TV?

[u/DroneOfDoom]

So, right now I have been using my Nvidia Shield Pro to stream Steam from the PC to my TV, but I have become increasingly displeased with this because it seems to introduce a ton of lag. I know that this is from the Shield because I also have a Series X and it doesn't have lag.

Anyways, I decided to try connecting my tablet (OnePlus Pad 2) to the TV with an HDMI adapter and that seems a lot snappier and less laggy. However, there I have the issue that the HDMI is a mirror and the aspect ratio is the one from the tablet so it has black bars on the sides.

I'm wondering what would be the best option here.

A) Replace the Shield with a different streaming box that does the job better. I don't know of any of them, so I'd be open to suggestions.

B) Figure out how to get my tablet to change the aspect ratio when using the external display.

C) Replace my phone with one that can output HDMI at 16:9 on an external display and is good for this purpose (I am replacing my phone next year, current one can't do HDMI over USB C).

D) Buy a stupid long HDMI cable and plug the computer directly into the TV.

I would be especially interested in any option that would allow me to use that new codec that is supposed to reduce latency.

Edit: So it turns out that there was something going on with how my controller was interacting with the Shield. I plugged the dongle into the PC directly and it works great now. Hot damn.

[u/Crowley22g]

I've been using an Apple TV 4K (Ethernet version) with the Steam Link app. Not using wi-fi, instead it's all connected to a PC via Gigabit ethernet. Put a few hours into gaming on it and it was pretty solid

Edit You can use Xbox, PS5 and Steam Controller with it

[u/seanxfitbjj → u/Crowley22g]

This is the way

[u/proph-_-et → u/Crowley22g]

How does the steam controller work? Just over Bluetooth?

[u/Crowley22g → u/proph-_-et]

Bluetooth connection and requires the Steam Link so to be running, then it gives you full testing of all the buttons etc. The PS5 controller paired directly with the Apple TV so you could also use with Apple Arcade

[u/mynameistoocommonman]

Wait, I'm confused. You also use steam link on the Xbox and it works fine? Is that in the same place as the shield?

If so, just use that. If not, it may not be the shield that's the issue.  Or just try ethernet 

[u/DroneOfDoom → u/mynameistoocommonman]

No, but I play games on the Xbox just fine. Meanwhile, even retroarch on the Shield has lag.

Everything is hooked up to Ethernet.

[u/mynameistoocommonman → u/DroneOfDoom]

That's not a reasonable comparison. The Xbox runs games locally, not streaming them over the network.

Basically, if you run out and buy a new streaming device, it may well perform just as poorly as the shield. You should start by diagnosing any potential network issues. Try WiFi instead of ethernet (I know it sounds dumb, but sometimes your ethernet switch can have a problem that your WiFi doesn't), swap out the cable... The shield has a well deserved reputation for being a good, fast device, so I'd rule out more likely things first. 

[u/DroneOfDoom → u/mynameistoocommonman]

I was thinking more about discarding the possibility that the TV or the AVR were the issue, but I definitely see where you're coming from. Gonna try that before doing anything else.

[u/DroneOfDoom → u/mynameistoocommonman]

I think that the controller I use just doesn't vibe with the Shield. I switched it over to being plugged directly into the computer and now it works great.

[u/mynameistoocommonman → u/DroneOfDoom]

Sorry, I'm a bit slow today - you're streaming to the shield but the controller is plugged directly into the host pc? Yeah, if it works better then it's a controller issue. You can try a wired controller on the shield, too, if you haven't (usually the wireless ones are the troublemakers) 

[u/Greencheezy]

I recommend the actual steam link device. The model 1003. Tons are on ebay, I recently bought 2 and they work like a charm. Just verify from the seller if they're able to be updated and factory reset first. Most people selling them have had them stuffed in storage for years. I had one all the way back from launch that I found and tried to hook up recently but it was essentially bricked. Anything over 45~50 bucks is asking too much, just so you know

[u/DroneOfDoom → u/Greencheezy]

I had one of those myself and I lost it when I moved. :(

[u/Greencheezy → u/DroneOfDoom]

Dang that really sucks man. I was pretty bummed when I figured out mine didn't work and I tried some craaazy stuff to snap it out of whatever funk it was in. But luckily like I said there's tons available on ebay! Tbh, I really haven't found a better alternative