Playing PC games on the living room TV

[aww999]

Hi all,

I'd like a PS4 to play things like Dark Souls 3 etc on, as my PS3 is a bit out-of-date now. However, I'd also like to upgrade my ageing PC. If I buy a decent PC games rig, will it look OK for games on my 50" Pioneer plasma, or is this a bad idea?

Thanks!

[ZedLeg]

My mate runs games from his PC to a big TV with no issue. Steam has a mode specially set up for playing in a living room as opposed to at a desk, big screen mode or something.

[Trigbert]

I was considering this the other week but one issue I had was how to use keyboard/mouse on the couch as don't like using gaming controllers (cos I'm pooh).
Came across this bit of kit due out soon
http://www.roccat.org/en-GB/Products/Gaming-Keyboa...

Think there are other products/solutions already available but I quite like Roccat kit (free mouse til end of Aug).
Not gone ahead yet as the PC money went on the garden remodel

[Ste1987]

I have my gaming rig hooked up to my 42" living room telly and have had no issues whatsoever. Some of the games I play on Steam look ace on it

[ZedLeg]

Trigbert said:

I was considering this the other week but one issue I had was how to use keyboard/mouse on the couch as don't like using gaming controllers (cos I'm pooh).
Came across this bit of kit due out soon
http://www.roccat.org/en-GB/Products/Gaming-Keyboa...

Think there are other products/solutions already available but I quite like Roccat kit (free mouse til end of Aug).
Not gone ahead yet as the PC money went on the garden remodel

my mate bought one of these high tech pieces of kit.

[Trigbert]

ZedLeg said:

my mate bought one of these high tech pieces of kit.

Quality, I currently have my G29 wheel clamped to something similar .

[The Beaver King]

I use a 47" LG 4K TV and it looks good.

In terms of connecting it (assuming it is in the living room), you can either run a HDMI cable from the base unit to the TV or a Steam Link box, which is apparently very good and sends the signal over Wifi.

I have a Microsoft bluetooth keyboard with built-in touchpad on the side, which is great when you just need to do basic PC stuff and then use a Xbox controller for gaming.

Worth looking at a Steam controller as well, apparently very good and has a trackpad built-in,so you get some of the benefits of a mouse.

[ZedLeg]

The steam controller is a nice piece of kit, it's expensive though. I'd recommend playing with an Xbox controller to see if you get on with the concept before splashing out on one.

[Ste1987]

Controller-wise, I have one of these, which I think was recommended on this forum. Shaped like a Playstation controller, but recognised as an Xbox controller by the computer:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CJAF3ME/ref...

[HRL]

I recently got an AMD 480 for gaming at 1080P on my TV.

Been using one of my DS4 controllers and DS4Windows. Had no problems with any games so far.

[Hanslow]

55" Panasonic TV for us, home built gaming rig pretending to be a media centre under the TV. I've got a USB3 hub runs out the back of the TV stand and round the side into which I've got my mouse and Logitech G710+ keyboard plugged. Reaches fine to the nearest settee. Occasionally get the wheelstand pro and G25 out, and got a cheap HOTAS that all reach from the settee. Arcade sticks and xbox controllers for those more arcadey games.

Maybe it's just my aging eyes, but certainly helped going from a 42" to 55" when running full HD and the font is small. Video is run over HDMI and sound piped through the Panasonic sound board under the TV. Love the setup when comparing to sitting at a desk type affair and great for multi player stuff.

[RobDickinson]

HRL said:

I recently got an AMD 480 for gaming at 1080P on my TV.

The amd 480 or nVidia 1060 are ideal for 1080 gaming, can be pushed to 1440p if you get a 4k tv later too.

[ajprice]

PC connected to TV here too, it's fine. Xbox controller and a keyboard/mouse to play on, although I could do with something like a lapboard to put them on, they're on a little folding table at the moment that I used to have my wheel fixed to.

[aww999]

Great, thanks for all the responses. If I have a choice between DVI and HDMI inputs to the TV, which is the best option?

I'm trying to think whether I'd be missing out on something the PS4 might offer by using a PC instead, but I can't think of anything . . . ?

[Bullett]

Picture quality makes no difference as far as I can tell but how do you get your sound out? HDMI carries audio as well as video, DVI doesn't.

I use a PS3 and and PS4 and a PC on my projector, they all look great.

[aww999]

Sound will go out via digital into my kick-arse Naim system - another great reason to move the magic box out of the office! HDMI would be easier for me so unless there's a really good reason to use DVI I'll go with that.

[Hanslow]

You'll get a bit of lag with HDMI. For 99.9% of gaming, you won't notice. If you've got something like Rocksmith that allows you to plug a guitar in a bit like guitar hero/rockband, you will notice. That said, I just gave up with Rocksmith and stick to all my other games and leave the guitar for a proper amp.