How To Make Your PC Act Like A Console: Easy Couch Gaming on PC!
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- čas přidán 29. 07. 2024
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INSTRUCTIONS:
XBOX Wireless Controller Setup for Windows
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Did you just get a kick ass console game on your PC because the frame rates are just plain better? Do you wish you didn't have to play it at your desk, with your beautiful big screen television sitting in the next room, unused? Does your ass yearn for the couch after hours in that $50 office chair?
Well then this guide is for you. I'm gonna show you, step-by-step how to use your PC like you would a console. Sitting on your couch in front of your TV. And best of all, not dealing with hair-pulling, endless troubleshooting nightmares.
GONE are the days of pressing play, thinking it's not working, but it's really just playing on the wrong monitor! GONE are the days of thinking you got it all correct, until you get to what you hope is just a really artsy cutscene, because that would explain the missing audio. And GONE are the days of trying to swap audio devices, but you don’t have your mouse, because you didn’t think you’d be troubleshooting AGAIN.
In this guide, I detail what products to buy, how to configure Windows, Steam Big Picture Mode, and your XBOX controller, so that moving from your PC to your TV in the other room is a snap.
Pick up some memory cards and shove em into your three and a half inch floppy drive cause your PC is about to start acting like a console. - Hry
Microsoft needs to make a feature where you can just boot your PC like a console into a simplified controller compatible desktop. Since people have games downloaded across different launchers (epic, steam, GOG, EA, Uplay) it is a hassle having to use the mouse to get started every time.
You can do this if you setup auto login on your windows user and then set steam to open up in big picture mode automatically and having steam run at boot
@@Elkooi I know I'm a bit late, but I use an application called PlayNite, which synchronizes all of your game libraries.
Try playnite
They would never do that because then who would buy their xbox
Microsoft have a LOT of features that needs to make including this.
This video is super underrated! You've made all the pains of shifting gaming from the desktop to the couch as seamless as possible!
Thanks!! It was so frustrating I felt I had to share haha
This is actually a really helpful video from a small channel, with damn good quality content, I didn't even expect it to be this comforting to watch your video!
You can skip a lot of this by just using steam. You can set big picture mode to activate by tapping twice the xbox button and you can select the TV as video input automatically. All this in steam configuration menu. And if you want use your PC just as a console you can select to boot directly in steam big picture.
lol I wish it was that easy. but the multiple monitor set up makes it a headache as I discovered over many months, unless you use this guide!
@@NickDrawzComix Yeah the og one is better than Bedrock but no one cares about it anymore it seems
@@itsdanielpaul killer video bro
@@itsdanielpaul it is that easy actually
just use big picture mode and a controller as a mouse and keyboard
Chimera OS now is a good choice
Great video! I had pretty much given up on PC couch gaming because it’s way more complicated to get the right setup than it should be, but your trick with unplugging and plugging in the HDMI cable to the TV to create two “modes” finally fixed the issues I was running into. I also use Playnite instead of steam big picture because it has more customization options and is able to hold my entire library regardless of launcher, if you haven’t yet I recommend checking it out. I also use a program called JoyXoff to bind KBM features to my Xbox controller so I don’t even need a keyboard or mouse at all on the couch! Thanks again!
So happy it helped! It was SO frustrating trying to game on my TV without that trick. I tried playnite for a short time but decided Steam was best for me since honestly all my games are in Steam. I'll check out JoyXoff!
hey, can you help me? I also use playnite. Do you know how to set xbox "home" button to display playnite when i click it? thx
This video is actually useful. Thanks for making it :)
thank you!! I really like this setup haha
"Does your ass yearn for the couch after ours in that 50 dollar office chair?"
Most beautifully-written question ever asked in history.
This is extremely high quality, thank you very much
You're the best! Thank you very much, you convinced me to stay at PC Gaming since now I can hang on the couch and play my games from there
I use Monitor Profile Switcher and SoundSwitch. They allow me to set Hotkeys for switching Audio and Monitor settings. Works quite well. No plugging and unplugging required.
Have you used those before?
As someone who prides themselves on being a tech wiz, I've NEVER thought about making the tv the main display. Its solves every issue I had with switching between desktop and tv gaming
No way!! I'm so glad! I had the exact same experience haha. I just posted a new video that shows how to use external buttons to switch displays, check it out!
switching between game mode and desktop mode should you something like a on and off switch instead of plugging in and out
Super underrated Video, some super helpful tips in here thx!
Thank you! I made a new one detailing how you can use buttons instead of plugging and unplugging. But the plugging and unplugging is software-free, so no bugs haha
This was really helpful. It worked for sometimes using single monitor and TV but causing issues now.
If I am using only monitor and TV is off, my monitor keep flickering until I remove TV hdmi cable. Is there any suggestion to fix it or should I buy HDMI extender ?
I also went this way. To have my pc as console like as possible i did these steps.
1. Added all non steam games to my steam library.
2. Used steamgriddb and their plugin to get all covers, banners and logos. (Actually kinda fun)
3. Get Controller companion on steam
4. Set steam to autostart and to launch in big picture mode.
5. In windows settings set it to skip the login screen.
Now if you turn on your pc you can sit back on the couch with nothing more than your controller, your pc will boot directly into steam big picture where you will find and thanks to controller companion will be able to start all your games even if they have other launchers.
Could you use a hdmi switcher with wireless remote instead of manually plugging in?
I had problems with audio too. I think Vizio eArc does not work with PC, so I just extended the screen and plugged a second hdmi cable right into the sound bar to get atmos otherwise the pc only says I can get stereo with the sound system.
bro this vidoe was amazing and exactly what I was looking for, upgraded my current pc instead of buying a ps5 or series x to have both the couch gaming experience and gaming PC
Felt like watching someone with 1million subs man, nice quality video wish you the best
Thanks man! I appreciate and love to help fellow gamers! This was such a hair-puller for me, don't want others to go thru the hell of swapping computer monitors and a TV lol
Amazing tutorial. You definitely deserve more likes.
Thanks man!
I hate using Bluetooth headphones and I can't play loud all the time. Is there a way to route audio through the controller?
Is there a way to turn on pc with thr controller?
Is the game resolution affected in any way when playing on tv? Are subtitles in smaller fonts?
I just have my three screens plugged in at all times. I set one screen as extend and the other one just duplicates over to the tv. So if i need to play on the tv, i just turn off the monitors
any way i can reverse this, if i can't get a picture on my tv anymore?
Will dualsense controller work? And is it possible to use only a TV as a monitor without others?
How can I turn off the controller? Im using the wireless adapter.
Damn bro this production quality!
You are underrated af!
Very very well made video I’m surprised you don’t have more subscribers. I liked and subbed happy new year!
Coming this week, a sequel to this video! Hope you like it!
@@itsdanielpauldoes the wireless adapter have a good range?
These display settings are not present in windows 11?
If you have a hdmi cable from your TV AND an HDMI cable from your monitor going into your PC, won't you need an HDMI splitter to accept both HDMI cables? My graphics card only has one HDMI slot.
Those Hdmi extenders are an awesome idea. Will protect the ports while making switching easier. Great tip
Just what I needed, thanks!
ok the cable extension part is really smart, I'm totally trying this😃
Great video!!!! You earned a like and a sub , Im glad I have a gaming laptop so portability is a breeze
Thank you so much!!!
Can u customize your boot screen itd be hularious to make the power sequence to be like Bradbox 780 with a cool logo
Very helpful video, thanks! Does anyone know if there's any loss on the controller-bluetooth end?
I plan to try something like this but I'm not sure whether the distance from the source will produce any lag. My TV is in a different room, so there are walls in between and maybe about a 5/6 meter distance in a straight line (sorry, continental European here).
thank you! i think i might have mentioned it in the video, if you get a looooong USB cable and a bluetooth dongle, you can take the bluetooth into the other room with you! re: signal loss, it can def happen if the dongle is in the other room so i’d def recommend the extender usb
Such a pro grade tutorial, and you definitely deserve a million subs!
Well, I am adding my share here at least, Liked and Subscribed... Kudos man!
I run into an issues where on a dual display setup, my monitor freeze for a second. Here is the setup:
Monitor 1 is a 2k@165hz display port connected.
Monitor 2 is a 4k TV @144hz (120hz) hdmi 2.1 connected (samsung s95c)
When monitors are set at extended or clone, everything is ok. As soon as I set "show only monitor 1" (that is the display port connected one, I get this one second freeze, mouse cursor dissapear. Also in geforce settings or windows display screen it it looks like the pc loose connection to the TV.
How can I solve this?
Thanks for this method it’s great, just wondering this would not change in windows 11?
I'm a dad just trying to help my son play his PC games on his TV using his high-end gaming PC and remote controls (no keyboards) .What do I need, just wireless Xbox controllers and an HDMI run from PC to TV? I need a dongle I assume? His Samsung only has one HDMI input but we run everything through his receiver (note it's only 1080. Thank you so much
This is EXACTLY what i was looking for! i didnt expect to find a full from 0 to 100 guide on this topic!
any way to play non steam games without having to start the game with a mouse and keyboard?
Nice video, very detailed! ❤️
Thank you! 😊
This is an awesome tutorial. Thank you for sharing this great setup!
I would add - get HyperX ChargePlay Duo instead of batteries. It makes it way more comfortable and makes a nice compact stand for two controllers
Amazing!! thank you!!
Would be nice if you could include Dualshock 3/4 instructions as well... but great video man, thanks!
Have you encountered a problem where Windows more often than not refuses to recognize a controller?
I did this setup just like you, and I have Logitech F510 gamepad but half of the time Windows won't recognize it via the extended usb additionally powered cable. The gamepad works without any issues if it's connected directly to PC. Other devices work fine over the extended cable. I did all sorts of customizations regarding power management (advices that can be found on the internet regarding thia issue) but it still happens.
I don't think the problem is with the gamepad nor with the extended cable, but I don't know what to do anymore to get it to work.
Any suggestions?
Go into the device settings and check view hidden devices.. Delete copies did it for me
That entire first 20 seconds is everything I have an issue with looool
Do any of you sit on the couch with a lap desk and game with a mouse and a keyboard using the living room TV as a display?
hey man if you use monitor profile switcher it is a program that does what you are manually doing with unplugging the hdmi. I have 2 profiles just like you said and a hotkey for each profile, I have 1 named Monitors and another named tv and just click the hotkey I want enabled
Thanks for the tip! This is super useful
I wish I saw this a year ago. It takes me 5-10 mins to set it up then another 3 to revert it back. This is the easy way I was looking for.
It's so weird, right? You'd think they'd have it figured out by now.
Really helpfull, with the montiors especially drove me crazy on is it on the desk montiors or the t.v, have adapted idea slightly of discontenting the hdmi, have passed hdmi thourgh a spliter on powering on/ off the splitters power via a smart plug which in turn can be controlled by alexa.
I just made a new video that shows how to switch monitors with buttons, my next video is how to do it with Alexa using your computer, not a smart plug. That sounds like a good solution too, tho!
Dope T-Shirt …Sierra had their time in gaming!
I didn't understand that setting up the displays part. I got 1 monitor and 1 TV. So how do I set it up?
And is there a way for me to do this without plugging and unplugging, since you mentioned that?
Hi! Did you try "windows key + p"? That'll allow you to quickly switch between two screens, turning only one on a time.
@@itsdanielpaul Just tried that, works great!
The only problem I got now is the audio output.
Is there an option to automatically switch to the tv speakers when I switch from my monitor to my TV?
I recently got a hdmi splitter and hdmi switcher and a book shelf to do something like this with 3 systems pc ,xbox and wii
Thank you!
Can you use this if your pc is upstairs and your tv is downstairs?
Im okay with drilling a hole for a hdmi cable but is there a work oround for the controller because i dont think my Bluetooth will connect from that far
Yeah I think I mention in the video that you can get a USB bluetooth dongle and attach it to a very long USB cable and put it through the same hole.
@itsdanielpaul do you have a link of those? Because I can't find long USB cables with dongles
My usb dongle for the controller doesn't get recognized when I plug it into the extension cable
Huh! Are you using an old cable?
Great video thanks
Is there a way to switch between the monitors without unplugging? Great video! I’m looking to run 3 monitors with the 4th being the pc. Would be cool to switch without unplugging.
Yes! There’s a section of the video that talks about windows key + p that will switch monitors. I haven’t tried with four, should still work! I personally like the physical plugging and unplugging, less room for software to screw up
hows your latency? I've recently done a similar setup, same HDMI cord too, but I am paranoid about latency from the adapter
No latency at all!
Can it do wireless
Thanks dude , you helped me a lot
No problem! I just released a new one showing how you can use buttons to switch monitors, it's pretty cool!
@@itsdanielpaul can you link me the video please?
@@itsdanielpaul and do you open steam in big picture mode , before switching to tv ? is not that more convenient ?
When booting straight into big picture mode everything runs great. The only anoying thing is when u launch a game for eg modern warfare 2 it will then have to load up battlenet. This causes he game to start beneath the steam interface. I then have o go to my keyboard to then click the modern warfare icon to see the game. Is there anyway to avoid this without having to got to the keyboard and mouse
I hate that. That's def an annoying problem that I deal with too using launchers. I don't think there's a way around it, if you use a PS controller you can use the trackpad as a trackpad, but it's kind of annoying to use as well.
@@itsdanielpaul thanks for the response. Great video
I use Moonlight Sunshine with chromecast, turn on pc remotely and use a .bat script as app to shutdown pc, it feel great using chromecast controller to open games and turn on ps4 controller, I dont need interact with windows the only problem is that casting games to tv add a small latency.
can i do this using windows 11 default wireless display connection?
I haven’t tried that! Not sure
Im gonna try this when i get a new room.
If this works like it does for you then you're awesome :D
Any tips if you want to use Pc exclusively for couch gaming? Ie no monitors or mouse and key?
That sounds much easier! Just connect to your TV and use Steam big picture mode.
Bro, your channel is so underrated! Tech tips for quality of life gaming is so nice. People like you deserve more praise! Just wanted to let you know :). Great voice and presentation too!
thanks so much! i never thought of it like that. if you have any suggestions for videos you wanna see i’m all ears! ❤️
Wouldn’t it be easier to duplicate one of the monitors as screen 3 instead of plugging in and unplugging (which wears out the wire) also you should be getting an active cable cause a super long passive cable will have issues with getting the signal to the tv at higher resolutions
So far I haven’t had any issues with my passive cable… how would issues manifest themselves? Also I made a new video with a new setup, no plugging or unplugging!
So do I need to buy a separate display port cable to plug into my pc or just use the long one to connect my pc to my monitor and swap between the monitor and tv?
U can just use the long one but it’ll be hard to reach
And I don’t think TVs love a plug getting plugged in and unplugged constantly, better that it’s an extension cable
Yeah I just decided to get an hdmi switch so I can just click a button on that which will make it swap between the two.
Does the switch trigger windows to swap profiles?
@@itsdanielpaul Well I attach the two hdmi outputs on the back and one input for my pc on the front and it should supposedly switch between the outputs each time I click the button on it
Great vid, having one issue not sure if it's a windows 11 thing -- when i play on tv the screen will randomly go black at time for a few seconds but will come back in. not sure if anyone else has this problem but super annoying when playing games
Oh no! This sounds like the nvddlkm NVIDIA bug. I actually made a video about this. Open up event viewer and see if you see something that says “NVIDIA driver crashes and has been restarted” or something like that. I fixed mine when I turned off my rgb fan color control.
Any good PC/steam couch co-op games to play together with family/friends?
I have to be honest I usually play single player, but some of my favorites are Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo, and Mortal Kombat 11. It's a short list, sorry!
This was doable when I lived in an apt. Now my office and media room are at opposite corners of the house. I'd probably need an HDMI extender & goodness knows what else to make this worthwhile.
Try moonshine
Oh this ia cool idea I wana try it also with using my Huion and having the TV as a Monitor too to see my art work super huge ^^
Thought I'd add another tip if you're not a fan of the unplugging and plugging. Get an HDMI switcher. I already had one so I thought I'd try but I can just press a button on the switcher and it'll act the same as plugging and unplugging, very convenient and I also don't have to even open the inputs up on my tv
Oh that’s a good idea! I’ve been using software since making this video and I still think physically changing the inputs is better, I’ll have to try it! The worst part of having the tv always plugged in is Windows flips out when you turn the tv on and off which I do much more often than a monitor, I think this would fix that
Another good keyboard and mouse are the logitech go pop mouse and keyboard due to it having multi device support.
The ones I mention also have multi device support up to three!
there is a steam link that can play wirelessly but it lags sometimes.
Yeah, using the steam link was one of the main reasons I decided to get a long HDMI cable, it was extremely unreliable.
Would this work as well with a ps4 controller or should I buy an Xbox controller ?
plug hdmi into tv
Windows is definitely most compatible with an XBOX controller so I would recommend that. But, I do use a PS4 controller also, it just gives me more problems, especially if I’m not using Steam.
Strange question, if you're using windows, why does it not have built-in xbox wireless? Or is that just something windows didn't have 2 years ago?
I’m pretty sure you still need the dongle, but haven’t bought an XBOX controller since. The dongle does a bit more than standard Bluetooth I think is the reason.
@@itsdanielpaul Oh ok, So if my laptop has xbox wireless builtin, Just connecting my controller should be fine right? At least that's one of the three ways that's mentioned on the xbox website.
@@netheo6396 yeah, it's its built in, I could see that with a laptop
I will buy a dedicated PC just works with my TV so I don't have to plug and unplug or worry about using it as my daily driver. I would save the money difference with buying cheaper Steam games anyway comparing to PS5. Btw, does Xbox controller work well with Steam as good as a PS5 controller on a PS5?
The XBOX controller is definitely what Steam and PC prefers. I like using a PS5 controller too, but outside of Steam it's a headache to use.
This is the only video i found on this matter. I am thinking to build a pc+oled tv or just an xbox+same tv.... and was thinking about pros and cons of both options.... tbh after watching your video i found out for me that pc setup as console is not an easy thing for a rookie like me )) i mean more hussle with all you do. Though Pc would bring more capabilities in terms of for example if you wanna play an old game that you like but in 4k etc etc.... i know new consoles have that backward compatibilities ... but that doesn't work always as fluent as on pc....Also pc games are cheap (but in this case you like spend much more money if you want to build an absolutely killing pc)..... tbh i have 2 questions to you if you don't mind answering would be awesome
1 - For example how much is the difference of picture graphics quality for your eye when comparing your pc and lets say series x or ps5 (though i don't like sony)???
2 - Why you picked this setup instead of just buying a console and connecting it to your tv if you are a controller user type person ? interesting to hear your motivation and thoughts on that questions
Sorry for my poor english , i am not a native speaker! .Your channel is great by the way
Hopefully this helps me get my consolized office pc to turn on with the controller turning on.
You want to press a controller button, and you want that to turn the computer on? You definitely have to turn the computer on first, connect the TV, then you can press the console button and Steam Big Picture mode will come up.
So here is the question of all questions:
My gf uses her PS4 to play games as well as watching Netflix, Prime or CZcams. I want to do that with a Pc as the "console". There are windows 10 apps for Netflix etc, but they are not usable with a controller afaik. Also Steam can only launch traditional programs, no windows 10 "apps". Is there a way to use a pc also as a multimedia console?
You're limited to app support. I use Plex's home theater app and it works fine with an Xbox controller, but really, a set top box like an nvideo shield is the way to go. It's super simple, has a mic in the remote so you don't have to type out a movie name for half a minute, and just works.
you know how consoles are super optimized how do i make my pc run as fast as it because the chip inside an xbox is worse than the one in my pc when running windows but my pc cant run forza on windows at the same frame rate as the xbox chip in an xbox
What’s your gpu
and how much ram do you have also are you using ssd or hdd
6:54 I'm high asf wondering why you'd need to press the windows key and pee at the same time 😭
Okay if you’re still high watch this video, it’s relevant 😝 start at 2:17
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What a good tutorial! I have one very capable 4k 60hz pc and 4k 120hz Vrr TV, and I really like to game on it! Even though the experience is not 100 %, the console simplistic style is good enough! The not so good part is if you have the new 2.1 gpu and 2.1 tv, your second display (tv) must be very close to the actual pc because hdmi 2.1 loose "power" after 5 meters of so of cable length!
ooo interesting, is that exclusively with HDMI 2.1 cables or does it happen with HDMI 2.0 also? I've never really experienced signal degradation on long cables before, but 4K 120Hz is a lot of data lol
@DANMAN! Gaming Yes ,I think signal degradation happens to 2.0 as well! Hdmi 2.1 needs to be very good quality type for 4k, 120hz ,HDR, dolby Vision etc.
exactly even with 5 feet it loses enough bandwidth to not be able to do 2.1 and he recommended a fake 2.1 cable at 30 feet lol. Might as well try and hook it up with string cause who knows if it's even able to do 2.0 at that point, let alone do 2.1 lol. Zeskit Hdmi 2.1 cables are 100 percent certified and the safest bet getting 2.1 cables that will carry the signal at long distances.
Im using one game launcher in xbox gamebar. It works fine. Faster than launching steam
Here's a quick tip to save you money and have less cable management to deal with. You will have to rearrange your living room for this. Pick a corner of the room and put your entertainment center at an angle in the corner to where you have a gap behind the entertainment center. You can use that extra space you just made to hide your gaming PC behind the TV. If your entertainment center has enough space to put your PC on it under the TV, then that is recommended first. There is no need to have long cables across your living room, especially if your WIFI router is right next to your TV, which most modern home living rooms should have set up anyway. It's just better to have your PC on your entertainment center just like a console to show off while you game.
Damn, i wish i saw this video before I bought an entire second PC to achieve the same thing
Honestly this minimizes headaches but a whole nother PC eliminates them lol
But you still have a keyboard on side, , i have a chatpad on my xbox controler.. its amazing
Use of a meme as a thumb nail. Auto thumbs up in my book, and the video was good to. Cheers
dude's staring directly into my soul
For true PC gaming in the living room, skip the Xbox controller and opt for a Dualsense, then map mouse to gyroscope in Steam Input, with Left Trigger as the activator. Also, for mouse gaming, can look into Fragchuk controller with Logitech G502 wireless mouse. Map spacebar, R, T and any other buttons not mapped on Fragchuck to the mouse buttons. Can also buy an Azeron Cyborg and any mouse. Use a Couchmaster Cycon 2 (for couch) or Couchmaster Lapboard (for recliner).
this is some great info, I might have to go get a DualSense... my Dual Shock controllers were always less reliable on my PC, maybe DualSense gets it right. You should talk to Eric Bazinga, he's always talking about mouse input mapped to controllers, but his baby is the Steam Controller.
okay i bought a dual sense, but i think i misread what you're saying. I was thinking map the mouse to the gyro so I could use the mouse in windows, but it seems like it only makes you able to move the mouse in steam. Cause the major advantage for me would be that if i needed quick mouse output to change an audio setting or something i could use the controller as a mouse. Any way to do that?
My tv shows more choppy graphics what gives
Could be a cable that’s too slow
how do u turn the pc on via controller? haha
Alienware used to make a gaming PC console just for this reason. But as far as I know, they stopped making it. It was called the "Alienware Alpha".
How you know I want to game on my couch and use the unused tv and how you know I have 50$ office chair!?
Wouldn't it be easier to just use a steam link? Assuming you have a decent home network, ofc
Believe me I tried and it’s crap lol
Plug in the PC into a TV with a long HDMI cable, open Steam and go into big picture mode, plug in your controller and you're good to go.
So you don't need a pc monitor? Asking as someone who wants to buy a gaming pc for the first time and to use it like a console.
Sitting on the ass increases story game immersion by 420% according to Harvard School of Medicine