How to connect the Steam Deck to a TV or monitor

The Steam Deck packs a lot of power for its size, and when you want to play on something bigger, you can do so by connecting it to a bigger screen. This can be very useful if you’re playing a game where a larger screen is important for displaying text or details, or if you’re on the go and want to share some gaming experiences with a group of friends. It also makes certain things, like working in a Linux terminal, a lot easier to tinker with.

Are you ready to get started? Here’s how to connect your Steam Deck to a TV or monitor for a true big-screen experience.

How to connect Steam Deck to a bigger screen

We’ll start with an overview of the hardware you’ll need, then look at the connection process and how to do it safely. With the right equipment, switching to a TV or monitor is a breeze!

Step 1: Find a compatible TV or computer monitor. Keep in mind that different games will see different results when you switch to the big screen. You can expect a drop in frames per second for many AAA games (although they should still be playable), meaning refresh rate isn’t a huge concern. For best performance results you’ll also want to keep the resolution around 1080p, so 4K support isn’t a big deal either.

What does that mean? Your display really needs an HDMI port – that’s about it. Most monitors today (some only have DisplayPort, but that’s rare) and TVs will have HDMI ports, so you just need to make sure there’s a free HDMI port you can use.

LG UltraGear monitors announced at Computex 2022.

LG

Step 2: Next, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. The ideal solution here is the Steam Deck Docking Station, a hub designed to support exactly these types of setups. Unfortunately, the dock hasn’t gone on sale yet, and Valve has announced that it’s been delayed with no clear end date, so it’s not an option right now. Other docks may work, but we prefer to recommend the official dock directly from the source.

An alternative is to purchase a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Again, due to the limitations of the Deck, almost any adapter will do the job here. This Anker model is an affordable $18 version that should do the trick. You’ll want to connect the Steam Deck’s USB-C port to one end of the adapter and your display’s HDMI cable to the other end.

Anker's USB C to HDMI adapter.

Image used with permission of the copyright holder

Step 3: You should also make sure your HDMI cable is long enough so you don’t have to sit right next to the screen. HDMI cables that are only a few feet long may not be the right choice unless you can keep your Steam Deck close to the screen.

Step 4: Connect the HDMI cable to the display and then to the adapter. Connect the USB-C adapter cable to the Steam Deck.

Step 5: If you haven’t already done so, turn on your Steam Deck and display. Wait at least a few seconds for the Deck to switch to the external display. If it doesn’t seem to work, double check the HDMI port number and make sure your display is on the right port. Sometimes, unplugging and plugging in the HDMI cable will resolve recognition issues.

Step 6: Update your Steam Deck regularly. Valve said they are working to improve the experience of connecting to all external displays. You’ll want to take advantage of bug fixes or link updates.

If you want to learn more Steam Deck tips and tricks, check out our guide on some of the best things you can do with your Steam Deck.

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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn

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