Questions about Steam Link on Sony Android TV

by wisepage

I have had a Sony Android TV (KDL-65W850C) for a few years now which has been great. Love the TV and had no issues with it. I’m not much of a gamer, but I recently heard about the Steam Link app being made available for Android TV and thought it might be time to dip my toe into PC gaming. My kids are getting a bit older now so they will probably get some enjoyment out of it too. I have a PC at home which I use for work (i7, 16GB, GTX970) which seems more than capable of gaming duties. Seems I have most of what I need to get up and running, My main questions were regarding controllers. I have an Xbox 360 with 3 wireless controllers. I understand that with a 360 Wireless Receiver I can use these controllers on a PC, but can I use these directly with the TV itself? A little reading around told me this was not easy, maybe even impossible; https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/6z5i0g/mi_box_and_wireless_xbox_360_controller/

Do my controllers have to interface directly with the PC running the games, or is with the TV OK? I ask because the PC that runs the games is up the other end of the house (ie. Nowhere near my TV). What are my options for this? Ideally I’d love to use my existing 360 controllers (with wireless receiver), saves me buying expensive new hardware if I don’t need to. Failing that, do I have to go out and buy PS4 controllers? I remember when I got the TV hearing that PS4 controllers can be connected to the TV directly. Assuming that having controllers connected to the TV (rather than to the PC), is that my best option? And how about a KB/mouse combo for playing games that require them like RTS games. Should I just get a basic combo with dongle via USB? Bluetooth?

Appreciate any input you guys can give me. Cheers.

british_bloke89

I'm not sure Xbox controllers can work for steam link, the controllers need to be paired with the TV. I know you can pair PlayStation controllers with the Sony TV, or there are some Bluetooth Android/TV/PC gamepads you can get for AU$20 (the same ones that where originally available with the Nexus Player) which have a very similar layout to the Xbox controllers.

raptor75mlt

I'd like to know the answer to this question too. Xbox 360 wireless controllers seemed a good idea at the time, until you get to know that you can't use them with anything unless they support the adapter.

yianniscy84

I've used xbox 360 wireless controller with the USB PC dongle connected on the Mi box and worked fine. Mi box identifies it as a Bluetooth controller. The problem was that steam link had problems mapping it (or I don't know how to do this) and all games were unplayable

KodiakDraco

The controller connects to the TV, not the PC. I'm using my Steam Controller via Bluetooth and everything works great. I've also tested my PS4 DS4 (Bluetooth), 8bitDo NES30 (Bluetooth), and Logitech F710 (USB dongle), and all of them worked, after setting up mapping profiles. I don't have an Xbox 360 controller to test but I would guess that it would work, but need a mapping profile.

I have a Sony 43X800E

windowsphoneguy

Yes just give it a try if you have all the hardware already. Should work. I'm pretty sure you only need one dongle for up to four controller, though