What If Valve Made A Steam Deck For The TV?

The Steam Deck is an amazing handheld gaming PC, but what if you want a similar experience in a set top style box? Kind of like a Steam Deck console without a screen and controllers. In this video Adam and Will talk about what it was like to use HoloISO on an AMD based Beelink SER 7 mini PC and how Valve could do it better (if they wanted to).
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Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - The Idea: 'Steam Console'
01:45 - Hardware Used For HoloISO
03:38 - HoloISO Details
05:05 - HoloISO Installation
08:06 - Playing On The 'Steam Console'
12:05 - Compatibility
13:05 - Input Problems
14:31 - Other Problems
17:11 - How Could Valve Do It Better?
20:57 - Next Steps
#steam #steamdeck #pcgaming

[@Wild_Cat]

So, a Steam Machine?

[@coreychildress156]

With extra steps and more refined, yes.

[@joeschmoe5009]

Came here to say this. They want a steam machine that was already a failure

[@breakfast7595]

​@@joeschmoe5009 The reason the Steam Machine failed was because it was not financially viable for game developers to port a game for the 1% of the market that ran Linux at the time. Valve recognized this, and shifted it's R&D capital to working with WINE and CodeWeavers to develop a compatibility layer that would allow native Windows games to run at similar, equal, or even flatout outpace its Microsoft counterpart. This is why the Steam Deck succeeded, because they learned from the past.

[@icerink239]

​@@breakfast7595because Gabe Newell learns from his mistakes?

[@zeohblitz6969]

​@breakfast7595 if valve made another steam machine or steam tv whatever they call it, it's a great time. Linux is better now with proton, steam os has come a long way. The most important factor is if valve do this, then they will make it close box like the deck. The steam machine was trying to be modular like pc that's why it failed. Make a steam console that's closed and ready to play and opens steam os in big picture.

[@user-kw1bm5gn7w]

A steam console. Lets call it the Locomotive.

[@miloshp7399]

Hehehh. Nice really. But Deck is short, familiar, memorable and recognizable word like Switch.

[@christianr.5868]

@@miloshp7399loco for short

[@kevinpascual]

@@miloshp7399Home Deck?

[@miloshp7399]

​@@kevinpascual Steam Block 😂

[@davidmurphy9151]

Engine

[@frankseyen9156]

I wouldn't have picked Holo Iso, it's end of life since a year. BazziteOS, ChimeraOS or even Nobara Handheld Edition or CachyOS Handheld Edition would have been a much better choice.

[@weclock]

I think this video is much older than they're letting on.

[@Cjnator38]

HoloISO isn’t EOL, it’s just been moved to an immutable base. The first thing that shows up on Google is the end of life version, but there’s a link on the top of the README that goes to the newer version

[@notthatwillsmith]

@@Cjnator38this is the way. We started here, as we said in the video, because it’s closest to the Steam Deck OS. The next thing we’re going to look at is Bazzite running on other hardware.

[@cosmic_drew]

I actually use my Steam Deck more docked than handheld. I stream my games from my gaming PC and also use Chiaki for my PS5. I have ethernet hard-wired in my house and I honestly forget that I'm streaming. It's so good it's insane.

[@techieg33k]

I still think Nintendo has had great luck with the dual functionality of the Switch and i think Valve could make the docking and controller pairing better on the next version and keep with the dual function (handheld and tv), then release the official SteamOS for other hardware vendors to make hardware they want. CEC needs worked on for certain

[@christofos]

SteamOS 3.6 is adding HDMI-CEC.

[@tresnugget]

Wish windows would add HDMI CEC. I have a PC connected to my TV and it would make couch gaming a lot more convenient.

[@Dracossaint]

​@@tresnuggetthat woukd have to be on not only them, but also the graphics card producers. It Would require a bios update and they might not have the hardware in that hdmi port.

[@SAGERUNE]

​@tresnugget this is to improve signal latency right? I only noticed it recently because elden ring. Playing docked is awesome until the game demands precision...and brother shadow of the erdtree demands it

[@tresnugget]

@@Dracossaint you may be right but I'd be willing to update the vbios, no question. And it's an HDMI 2.1 port so I assume it would have the hardware support. CEC is such an old standard at this point.

[@tresnugget]

@@SAGERUNE no, just to be able to control the PC with the TV to some degree like wake the PC when switching to the HDMI input or set the PC to sleep when turning the TV off, or have some basic control of Windows with the TV remote.

[@chicoriver8606]

I am still waiting for valve released steam OS for PC. Gabe, we know you're watching 👀.

[@FrenchAddGamer]

Probably won't happen cause it's SteamOS 3, we all know Valve never releases anything involving 3.

[@gdot1803]

Should have just used Bazzite.

[@ZaberfangX]

yup or Chimera, Nobara or Cachyos handheld os depend user level

[@oli41770]

I've like Chimera OS better than Holo ISO. I put it on a 7800 X3D and a 7900 XTX system and my only headache has been getting modding support on this Linux arch base OS.

[@drewnewby]

@oli41770 Have you tried EndeavourOS, wondering for comparison. When you say modding support, which games?

[@oli41770]

@drewnewby I have only tried Chimera and Holo. The issue is that older mod managers (think mass effect and Dragon age) don't natively work on Linux and sometimes use windows programs to that are not easy to emulate. Vortex app will have native Linux support but it seems to be a year out. Also wabbajack and wine don't seem to like each other for wabbajack on Linux either.

[@tresnugget]

​@@oli41770I've never had much luck with mod managers. I've always just manually dropped the files in and edited ini files. The file structure is still the same, right? I've never added any game mods on my deck but I'd assume the install folder is the same, but I could see issues when the mod requires going into the appdata or documents folder.

[@OptimumSlinky]

A Logitech K400+ is perfect for a living room Steam Machine when you need the keyboard and a mouse for launchers or entering text.

[@denvera1g1]

9:50 Xbox controllers i think by default have a mouse emulation built in, if you hold the xbox button and move..... one of the sticks it becomes the mouse, and the triggers or bumpers become right/left click. I noiced this accidentally on a windows machine that i normally have in big picture mode, was trying to figure out how to take a (steam) screen shot with the xbox controller and noticed the mouse move.

[@daviddelgado5553]

This and more are available as "Guide Chord Configuration" where while holding the Xbox, PS, Steam, etc button. All your physical inputs are set to functions that are preset but can be edited to your liking. Guide plus RB/R1 is screenshot, guide plus Y/Triangle turns off controller, etc.

[@lukec1]

I have 4 SER7 pcs and it’s bigger bro the GTR7. I have started a new business where I go to bars and restaurants and play LAN games, and stream it on Twitch using OBS. These little PCs are slick!

[@robertlawrence9000]

New AMD chips for these small consoles will be interesting.

[@Nicholas-nu9jx]

Apparently 4050/4060 In terms of gpu power

[@robertlawrence9000]

@@Nicholas-nu9jx That would be cool if true!

[@damianabregba7476]

You can hold steam button to move mouse with gamepad stick

[@screwball992]

I'm sure they showed that in the video.

[@swirl44]

One question that didn’t get asked, do shader cache downloads work?

[@technicallyme]

Could you use a better gpu? Or does it need to be a apu

[@yamilabugattas3895]

Excellent video, really. It may not be as cheap as the alternatives, but it's a PC and you can do whatever else you want with it. Great work guys!

[@JamesTFaile]

I've been looking for content from Will ever since he stopped being part of Tested. I moved to Tested to follow him after Maximum PC. I happened upon this video in my Google feed. I had no idea he was over here!

[@bvanbiezen3008]

Personnally I would use Bazzite in stead of HoloOS. It’s a better fork of SteamOS.

[@Immortan_Bob]

I put Bazzite on my ROG ally and performance got noticeably WORSE. which I was not expecting.

[@TH15N4M315UN4V41L4BL]

I feel like valve was discussing this for over ten years. I believe the steam deck is the result, but the shift to Linux as an os was literally because they were exploring the idea of a home console, just over time that evolved into the handheld.

[@rustybroomhandle]

There is good reason to believe Valve is already making one. Recent SteamOS updates included support for things like TV remotes. And yeah the failure here to even mention Steam Machines is baffling.

[@pcworld]

Mentioned at 19:05, we still have ours in use! -Adam

[@swirl44]

HDMI CEC Support is in the beta branch. It still has bugs though.

[@JMartinni]

Most of the stuff he said about the SteamDeck at the beginning you'd have to do with the mini-PC as well, plus other extra steps. Not that it really matters...

[@Xanduur]

Wouldn’t you have to pair a controller to a desktop mini PC as well?

[@draygonfire84]

Steam Machine with Steam Controller 2 will probably hit market same time and be close to $500 combined is my best guess.

[@SpawnWaveMedia]

I’m still using my Alienware Steam Machine with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier lol. If it ain’t broke…..

[@iameagle1012]

Sounds like a steam machine, but with extra steps

[@TokenTech]

Interesting to test out but still don’t know how this is easier than a dock for the steam deck

[@aetherialwolf]

I personally would like to see a more high end console product from them and revisit the steam machine idea. Set it around $800 to $900 and have it support more high end games. I think the deck is a good entry point but theres a lot of people who dont know how to build pc's or that specifically want a more plug and play console experience something that bridges the game between the deck or an expensive high end pc would be great. It could also be a new base for developers to shoot for when it comes to optimizing for certain hardware. Obviously more demanding games would still be able to ignore it but it would be a great benchmark for Indie developers to shoot for.

[@aetherialwolf]

i know that it would have to be more expensive than the xbox or ps5 which could be a risk but I think the cheaper games due to frequent sales, and no online subscription model might give it an edge especially since it would still be a pc at the end of the day. plus maybe we could get a revision of the steam controller?

[@Vegemeister1]

I *would* have said that it's hard to do a powerful console without enough volume to make a custom APU with more-than-128-bit-DDR memory bandwidth. However, the rumors about AMD's upcoming "Strix Halo" are very exciting on that front. I think it's supposed to be a 256-bit DDR bus with something like 40 CU of RDNA 3.5. But even if it doesn't happen, as long as Valve sorts out the 10 foot UI and controller support, it won't matter how puny Valve's box is, 'cause you can just build a mid-range gaming PC and put the same software on it.

[@weclock]

How old is this video? Fallout 4's launcher hasn't been an issue on Steam Deck since they've been verified for Steam Deck (the next gen patch).

[@Razzbow]

Hey, I've seen this one before! It's a classic!

[@baysidejr]

Bazzite or chimera os is the way. Bazzite if its going to run nvidia or intel and you want a great desktop experience. Chimera os if you are sticking with amd , its got great remote control features built in which is nice to admin it from your pc remotely and not at the tv with a kb and mouse.

[@Tainted79]

I would love a steam link 2, I missed out on purchasing the 1st steam link, when they had their fire sale. Wish I had one now.

[@hornantuutti5157]

But you can have steamlink even in smart tv os now.. Dont really need the hardware.

[@screwball992]

You can flash steam link to a Raspberry Pie the old Raspberry Pie 3 worked just as good as the official hardware. Also works on Amazon Fire Sticks. I had a steam link in one room a raspberry pie in another room and the fire stick was for shits and giggles. Also works on most android devices if you sideload the APK.

[@Spencerwalker21]

Idk why valve hasn't done this already a 199$ box would compete well on price compared to the series s.

[@_MintArcade]

I would like to think that most consumer would accept lite performance on a handheld but once you go to a monitor/tv that's where people expect more… this is probably why XboxS isn't sell well

[@Spencerwalker21]

@@_MintArcade that has more to do with PlayStation cooking them and the series s sold tons more then the x.

[@_GntlStone_]

Steam Puck $200 . Smaller than the Deck, as described by them. Mounts on the back of the TV. Remote/controller with touch input, can use any other controller as well.

[@Orain88]

I think the main issue with trying to make the deck's apu into a dedicated set-top box is that it really is the perfect 720p/800p apu. It works so well bc it's so well balanced for the formfactor and screen size. For a TV focused console these days, you really don't want to show up with anything less than at least solid 1080p to 1440p 60 fps performance for most recent games. The deck apu just ain't up to that. They would really need to bump the apu up a tier or 2 to get there. If they could hit a bit above series S level for a set-top steam machine I think it would be a success.

[@jontechie]

Why not Bazzite?

[@h.a.6060]

Right now, I use a Steam Deck dock and PS4 controller. I can play the game on my ultra-wide PC screen or my 65-inch TV.

[@denvera1g1]

I have actually been using SteamOS on the SER6 Pro with 32GB of RAM for like a year? When i bought it with 1TB+ 32GB it was cheaper than the 512GB steamdeck (Edit i think it was either $420, or $520) Because it is Zen3+ and RDNA2 it is almost identical to the Steamdeck, just with more cores and CUs, the main difference being Zen3+ rather than Zen2 but that shouldnt cause any issues, because of this, the actual SteamOS image direct from steam works out of the box and is actually better performing and supports software better than Bazzite(out of the box) though i have not tested HoloISO as when i installed SteamOS HoloISO had not recieved an update for quite some time. I dont reccomend it for 4K, but 1080p these tiny boxes run pretty well under SteamOS/HoloISO/Bazzite, and i do reccomend seeing if the native SteamOS supports your hardware as it is super smooth. Of note, for SteamOS you might run into issues with it trying to run at 800p. This can be a good thing as many heavy games just cannot run 1080p natively, but if you're playing older games that run fine at 1080p-4k you will need to set custom resolution for the games, and you may prefer bazzite as it just defaults to the native resolution.

[@Anna_Rae]

I would love to have a Steam Machine that has performance comparable to PS5/Xbox Series X. Definitely would prefer Nvidia hardware over AMD though. DLSS upscaling and RT performance is leagues ahead of what AMD is doing, and those are the things that matter to me ❤

[@gilot19]

Love it because it would probably bring a steam controller 2!!!

[@michaelpalmer2143]

I am a Linux dev and game design hobbyist, but when I got a Belink SER-6 Pro (Ryzen 7735/32gb) for a gaming and media PC, I used Ghost Spectre Mini 11 for better game compatibility. Pegasus is my emu/game frontend. Everything has run great except bluetooth signal strength is subpar. I wonder if Belink fixed this for the SER 7? If the upcoming Android app support for Steam works well I might reconsider since Android TV streaming apps from Steam UI would be great and I'm not a competitive shooter anymore.

[@metcard]

Deck with dock is already pretty good. Would be nice to get a bit more gpu power when docked maybe next deck could have the ability for some sort of external gpu to at least allow 4k gaming. Valve or a 3rd party needs to release a controller with the exact buttons, pads, joystick and functionality as what the deck has.

[@noenken]

I think as a tinkerer and / or performance enthusiast it's still a better idea to just go with a desktop linux first and just install steam on top. Something like a Ubuntu or something Arch based. You might not get a perfect console like experience but at least you have all the hardware support and desktop OS tools to mitigate that.

[@deanrichards364]

yeah its called the steam link, they didn't sell well so they were discontinued, I bought 10 at ebgames for 5$ CAD a pop, then sold them for a 80$ a pop a few years later while still unopened and in mint condition, we still have mine hooked up in the living room and its amazing.

[@h.a.6060]

I have one and also the Steam controller but I think using a dock and a controller is more easy and straight forward.

[@donnydarko7624]

This is the future I have dreamt of. If its going to cost the same or a little more than the cheapest steamdeck it should have better specs. I mean I feel that should go without saying. Come on valve.

[@mitcoes]

SUGGESTION: A homebrew BT/USB4 controller with the Steam Deck layout (Gyro and pads included, but with the improved joysticks) would be nice, as parts are sold. Or a kickstarter campaign to make one. But now it is easier to purchase a dock and a long USB cable to play on TV (as I do, just with a 2m one) and works great.

[@MrSkotty1992]

Use a Dual Sense or a Dual Shock. You can use the trackpad as a mouse

[@acwbit2368]

its called a Steam Machine

[@kimmyksbro3116]

Its the first time i heard You need to config the power button in bios

[@miserj]

You don't have to. He's just saying if you want to change the behavior of it say go to sleep instead of shutting down the computer.

[@kimmyksbro3116]

@@miserj I change it in the OS

[@trent3792]

Around 9:13 wtf was going on with your camera their lol

[@AzimSF]

Or you could use install Moonlight on the TV

[@alexguitar841]

Ive been using ChimeraOS on my machine hooked up to my TV for over a year now and its been great. All AMD set up with 5600x/6950xt. Easy enough that the whole family uses it

[@habilain]

For a modern Steam Link, a Raspberry Pi running IHSplay should do pretty well. Or, as I understand it, IHSplay can just be installed on LG WebOS TVs (can't test that one myself)

[@mage0killer]

Just build a mini itx pc with a ryzen processor and a radeon rx gpu and you have a great machine to load steam OS onto. Don't use anemic underpowered mini pcs.

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

So a modern steam machine, just hope if they do this I just hope they go with AM5 interchangeable and a normal sized GPU

[@macv6405]

36 seconds in. Isn't plugging various cables into a box and then the TV what you already do with consoles? Why is plugging it into a steam deck suddenly so different? Even with Consoles you need to pair controllers.

[@lanedj801]

The deck would benefit from an adhoc/wireless direct connection to a streaming stick. The steam link app is good but still suffers from latency issues. It would be nice for it to run like a reverse Wii U. They need a driver that supports direct connection and a device like a wireless dock that supports any device that has that driver installed.

[@lanedj801]

If steam created such a device think about how much more traction their handheld would get. There would be tons of gamer news coverage about this streaming device

[@DigitalMartN45]

Used to think to make it like this...but the mini pc is toooo much expensive for me....now only SD that i can afford....

[@ruegore]

GabeN: "Irony is dead."

[@nickfury1279]

Use Bazzite instead. The UI is 1:1 with SteamOS’s UI but you’re not restricted to using AMD hardware

[@retrosean199]

I've had a spare real gaming PC in my living room for years.

[@TheUAProdigy]

1. This was already made years ago. 2. There are the same amount of cables used to just plug in the steam deck.

[@telerobotic]

I am so confused as to how this is in an improvement over having a dock in place of the NUC. Every step you are trying to avoid on the Steam Deck you are just doing anyway with the knockoff ISO version lol.

[@DFGdanger]

What does the shirt say?

[@StenIsaksson]

What happened to SteamOS?

[@omnamahshivayaom7948]

Nice

[@itsdeonlol]

W Steam Machines!!

[@rvmiv_]

Even when holo ISO was current I wouldn't have used it, You're better off with something like Bazzite.

[@Marbeary]

Next would be a official SteamOS gaming laptop.

[@aldershot8008]

Congrats guys, you made a PC.

[@valasdarkholme6255]

But with a nice gamepad UI that's not a headache to use from your couch!

[@aldershot8008]

@@valasdarkholme6255 what you described is literally a PC with steam open with the addition of hitting the home button on a controller. It's a PC

[@Moli05]

​@@aldershot8008Let's be real it wouldn't be the same thing. The steam deck is better than other handhelds because of the OS and how well it is built. I would love to have a small computer running steam os for my tv too. Yeah sure I could build a small PC but I would have to spend a considerable amount of money etc

[@aldershot8008]

@@Moli05 dude... literally just hit the home button on a controller. It'll bring up steam's big picture mode which is exactly what you described. lmao

[@kimmyksbro3116]

Use the steam app on a tv And stream

[@kimmyksbro3116]

fallout 4 has the green check mark

[@Elinzar]

Ouya but better

[@aviatedviewssound4798]

Steam has API's for developpers targeting the Steam Deck so some things might not be fluid as on the Steam Deck unless you're using a Linux distro similar to SteamOS.

[@salocin9009]

Was gonna say it’s really not that hard, power and HDMI cable is all you need if using a wireless controller. And if you have a cable extender you can just plug in from the couch and use the Steam Deck’s controls.

[@GNotEazy]

The first 30 seconds made no sense when almost every other console is the exact way. You need to plug them in. You need to connect controllers

[@kimmyksbro3116]

Rember steam machine?

[@FANBOY41]

i think the sweet spot for me would be a upgrade to the Z1 Extreme from the Ally and Legion Go. Better performance but not that over the top expensive at the scale a Valve could get to. Enough power for a lot of local gaming but very tiny case with quiet cooling! Now is the time for a new generation of Steam Machines! Do it Valve! Hire me i`ll develop it for you! :D

[@Schloopytoober]

Just get a steam machine that’s literally what it is. A home steam console

[@Eskoxo]

This idea has been around for a very long time but valve has no reason to do this from financial perspective they probably lose money on steam decks as people cant self build them but a console like that anyone can build and just put os on.

[@jonathont5570]

They did, it failed, now if Valve builds them solo, maybe... But its a different world in desktop versus handheld... cost of penetration will be much higher.

[@8bittoaster]

What if they already did... Before the Steam Deck

[@kimmyksbro3116]

Use, Ubuntu, Fedore, Mandrive, whatever you like And use steam big picture mode?

[@miserj]

That also works too. Also with auto-login at the os level and then straight into big picture mode.

[@kimmyksbro3116]

@@miserj Maybe we get a official steamOS later

[@technicallyme]

Apple tv is a decent steam streamer. Also my iPad streams well

[@Laconic_]

With the AMD Strix Halo 40CU 3nm APU and 32GB of 10,00MHz DDR5, this will definitely be a real feasible solution.

[@Spencerwalker21]

Maybe for a steam machine but definitely not a portable that apu would be far too much battery drain

[@rgge295]

A steam deck without a controller and screen…. a PC?

[@KyleRuggles]

A lil late to the party, but cool!

[@Nico-pw8yo]

If valve ever make a new steam machine with enough power to rival a ps5 or even an xbox series s then i'll trow away my ps4 and buy that one. I love my steam deck but sometime i want to play my library on my tv and i don't have space to place a big pc. And building an itx one cost too much. Even if this hypothetical console would cost 700$ i'll buy it. I could use the steam deck but it's limited in power on a tv.

[@SuperGaknar]

how is this easier than docking a steam deck

[@tek_lynx4225]

or you hook a PC to it and install Steam OS on that, so you don't have to suffer 30fps.

[@drewnewby]

Bazzite, ChimeraOS, HoloISO, none on distrowatch, anyone know why? These 7840U / 8840U based mini PCs need to come down in price soon to be a viable option. Worse, there are too many preloaded with bloat or malware from less than reputable manufacturers.

[@kiop901]

Bazzite

[@kirkanos3968]

So what i use my NVIDIA shield for for the last 6 years or so. Too bad the switch killed them by using the same chip.

[@ZaberfangX]

There alot office pc on ebay and other places becoming e-waste due to windows 11, with a good cpu in it and a 2nd hand AMD video card can make a Steam Machine on the cheap just don't use holoISO on it, use other steam os like from Bazzite, Chimera, Nobara, and Cachyos.

[@Wild_Cat]

Valve should partner with Intel for an Arrow Lake / Arc Battlemage mini PC for the living room

[@AkilanKamarajan]

Strix Halo with 40CU RDNA GPU would be a better fit

[@OptimumSlinky]

LOL why? Intel's latest product offerings are a joke.

[@jonathont5570]

Video seems much older than 4 days based on topic discussion and choices.... odd choices.

[@user-rt9zq8rs9k]

Valve already tried a STEAM console years ago and no-one bought it

[@KevinOsterkilde]

Literally just use the dock with the Steam Deck.

[@richiegore1]

Server in russia 🤔

[@Username_CC_]

You should literally just find a script to boot with steam in big picture mode and not fuss with all of this.