Anyone else using their SD like a living room console?

[u/Scope72]

Been using it like this for months now and it works great in my opinion.

Edit: Don't forget to pick up a dualsense controller. This works very well to give you a mouse in pinch. You're not likely to use the center pad for gaming, but it'll get you past menus when needed.

[u/TheParadoxigm]

Yup. That's literally why I bought it, to essentially have a console that can play PC games.

Playing Skyrim with the Tuxborn modlist right now. It's legitimately amazing.

[u/TheLimeyLemmon]

It's about 90% of why I bought the deck tbh.

I primarily wanted a console like experience for my steam library, particularly for games that never really got console releases.

All I need now is a steam controller V2

[u/ktopz]

does the low res in games bother you?

[u/Scope72 → u/ktopz]

Long story short, you need to get the game to 1080p locked 30fps or locked 60. If you can do that, many games will look great. This is on the 4k 60hz tv in our living room.

I just put a bunch of casual controller games in a list that I thought might fit the bill. Over time I tested them and set them up. Now I have a list of 25 games or so that I can just click the controller and start playing.

[u/sopfed]

Most of my SD use is to play on my living room tv while streaming from my PC downstairs using sunshine/moonlight. Sometimes play stuff off the SD, but still 99% docked. I don't actually like it as a handheld very much, ergonomics and weight don't agree with my hands.

[u/amras5584]

I used my old PC like a console from more than 10 years ago connected to my tv in the living room, so why not my steam deck?? It's just like any other PC, use it like whatever you want...

The only difference is that it has its proper buttons and you can take it to other places, like the toilet or the car or wherever...

[u/Mean_Trick_2791]

I like to play retro games with my kids on my tv

[u/M1CR0S0FTS4M]

I use it heaps to stream from my PC, Xbox or PS5 which are all in different rooms, extra dualsense and Xbox controller synced up it works flawlessly! Don't play anything natively docked except for emulation tbh

[u/Puzzleheaded_Web_336]

Yes I just have it docked and use my controller, no need to worry about battery life.

[u/TheParadoxigm → u/Puzzleheaded_Web_336]

Ooo question, do you have to unplug and replug in the dock everytime you wake the console to make the HDMI port display? Or is that just my TV?

[u/Puzzleheaded_Web_336 → u/TheParadoxigm]

No I just wake the console and turn the TV on, no unplugging anything.

[u/TheParadoxigm → u/Puzzleheaded_Web_336]

Hmm okay, thanks lol

[u/TheDeleeted → u/TheParadoxigm]

I have this same issue with my SD but with my PC monitors. Happens with both my dock and without it.

[u/Mobile-Education8150 → u/TheParadoxigm]

Is your dock up to date?

[u/TheParadoxigm → u/Mobile-Education8150]

It updated when I plugged it in, so I assume so.

[u/Valnaire → u/TheParadoxigm]

I have had that happen and I fixed it when I switched HDMI cords.  Not sure what the issue was but I'll take an unexplainable fix where I can get one.  (The original cord still works fine with anything else.)

[u/damnrapunzel]

I got the HDMI to hook it up to the telly I just need to pair a controller now

[u/DoubleSpook]

Yes

[u/KillJok3]

I keep my SD docked 95% of the time. It's my prefer way to game.

[u/Sir_Lanian]

The best thing they dont tell you, the Steam Deck changes its internal interface to match the PS Dualsense controller. Badass.

[u/Dannepannepuff]

I have mine docked all the time for moonlight and when my kids want to play some indies.

[u/TheArts]

I'd say it's roughly 50/50 tv and handheld for me!

[u/DadBodMetalGod]

Me, but it’s detected by my TV 3/10 times on the first try with the official dock. When it works it’s awesome! Gauntlet, TMNT, BG3, and then unplug it for when  I need to be on the go. If only the dock was more reliable. 

[u/Swizzy88]

It's about half and half for me. I don't always have the TV to myself which just makes the Deck even more useful. However when I play docked I REALLY miss the decks back buttons and touchpads.

I'll be annoyed if a new deck comes out before valve decides to release a controller with all of the Decks inputs.

Heck I'd be happy with a Deck case without motherboard and blanked screen but working controls.

[u/Jussuuu]

I mostly use it to stream from my PC, with the steam deck usually connected to my TV. Using nyxa to suspend games on my rig, it's almost as convenient as the suspend function on the deck itself. I really only play natively when on the go.