Valve has begun the beta test for streaming games from PC to Samsung TVs. The idea is that there is now an app that allows selected Smart TVs to mimic the Steam Link, allowing users to play PC games in the living room without any additional setup.
Only United States residents are currently allowed into the current test, and then it is limited to Samsung Smart TV built in 2016 and 2017. The US only test makes sense, as the setup only supports Steam Controllers for now; which are not widely available outside the country.
The idea is relatively simple, and has been a feature through Steam Link for a couple of years now. Games are processed and rendered on the nearby PC, and then everything is streamed to the TV for the player to enjoy. In this case, all it does is remove the need for an additional piece of hardware for the process to happen.
Valve is saying that the final launch will allow for games to be played in 4K at 60 fps. Graphics are limited to 1080p and 30 fps for the beta period. Support for additional game controllers will also be added at a later date; since not everyone owns – or wants to use – a Steam Controller.
[Source: Steam]
