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[Steam Box / Big Picture Mode] Build & set up your own living room PC gaming console!
minor incident
expert in a dying field---Registered User, Transition Team regular
expert in a dying field---Registered User, Transition Team regular
So you want to build yourself a Steam Box, huh? Big Picture Mode has you all excited about turning a gaming PC into a badass living room game console? Well, you're in the right place! This thread is for the discussion of all things related to Steam's Big Picture Mode and the building of a specialized machine just for that purpose.
What Is Big Picture Mode?
Big Picture Mode is a new UI option in the Steam client that transforms the Steam application as you know it into an awesome, fullscreen, HDTV-focused interface. Think of it as the Xbox 360 Dashboard, except with games.
Why Build A Computer?
Why not?! With the advent of BPM, Valve has essentially opened the door for us to put together our own "Steam Boxes", that is, custom PCs made for the living room to act as dedicated gaming consoles. Given that Steam, and BPM, has all the trappings of Xbox Live or PSN (friends lists, private messages, group chat, digital game purchases/downloads, etc), there's no good reason why your next console shouldn't be a Steam Box.
Where Do I Start?
The first thing to do is get a computer. Maybe you already have a gaming PC that you just want to connect to your HDTV. If so, then your needs are simple. You'll want an HDMI cable to connect your PC to your TV or receiver. This is by far the best, and easiest way to get 1080p video as well as sound (and surround sound, if you have that setup in your living room already!).
Additionally, every Steam Box is going to need a controller. Whether you believe controllers are antithetical to PC gaming or not, BPM is made with the controller in mind, and the absolute best one for the job is the Xbox 360 controller, or a 360-compatible third party controller like the Logitech F710.
Next, no matter how perfectly suited BPM is for a controller (and it really is!), there will be times when you want or need to use a keyboard and mouse. Considering you'll usually be 10-feet from your TV and computer, you'll probably want wireless ones. These are a bit more problematic, as most wireless keyboards and mice are pretty crappy. Check the hardware list below for links to a few highly recommended ones.
What About Building A PC From Scratch?
I'm glad you asked! This is the coolest part of the whole thing: deciding on an awesome case and some powerful components to pump out visuals that will shame your friends' 360s and PS3s. There are tons of options here, and we'll list a few suggestions in hardware list below, but in general, you'll probably want:
A slick looking case
At least 8GB of RAM
A hard drive and/or an SSD
A speedy processor (something like an Intel i3, or i5 is the best bang for your buck)
A compatible motherboard with at least one PCI-express x16 slot for…
A badass video card! AMD's 7000 range or Nvidia's 600 series both have price points for every budget
A few good, quiet fans (this will be in the living room, after all!)
A PSU (500watts is a nice size for a single video card)
For more general computer building advice, feel free to check out @Alecthar's meticulously curated Computer Build Thread, or his Penny Arcadian Computer Building Blog.
Suggested Hardware
Cables
Monoprice HDMI
Monoprice DVI>HDMI Adapters
Monoprice Audio Cables
Controllers
Xbox 360 Wireless controller for Windows
Logitech F710
Wireless Keyboards
Wireless Mice
Computer Cases
Bitfenix Prodigy
Fractal Design Define Mini
Lian Li PC-C33B HTPC Case
Suggested Software
Steam, opted in to Big Picture Mode beta
Controller Emulation
These applications allow you to use almost any non-360 controller with Steam BPM and games by mapping keyboard buttons directly to the buttons of the controller.
Xpadder - This video explains how to set up autoprofiles that open automatically based on the game you launch: Joy2Key
http://youtu.be/OjR5r28UfIEGlovePIE (includes support for Wii Remotes)
Media Player Software
XBMC is fantastic, customizable, and can be added as a "non-Steam Game" for seamless integration. Just add it as a Steam shortcut, set up a profile with Xpadder, and look up all the extra sources to add your favorite web videos. YouTube, Blip, GiantBomb, there's a huge variety of stuff and it all works perfectly.
Assorted Tips & Tweaks
For Non-Steam, Non-exe Games
For those unaware, Steam will only add .exe shortcuts to the library, which causes a bit of a problem for games that don't follow that extension, or require an external program to open them. It's easy to get around this, however, as detailed here:
First, make sure to associate the file with the required program, that way it opens up automatically without you having to start up said program. Next, make sure your Windows folders are enabled not to hide file extensions.
Rename the file you want to add to end with .exe. This will allow you to add it to Steam; after it's been added, rename the file back to its original extension, and make sure to do the same thing with the Steam shortcut under Properties>Target.
Viola! Now you can open up the game on Steam! And if you're looking for a quick way to close it with your controller, use Xpadder above to map "ALT+F4", which will instantly close any program. The easiest way to do this is to map it to two separate buttons you aren't likely to push at the same time, like Start+Select.
Rename the file you want to add to end with .exe. This will allow you to add it to Steam; after it's been added, rename the file back to its original extension, and make sure to do the same thing with the Steam shortcut under Properties>Target.
Viola! Now you can open up the game on Steam! And if you're looking for a quick way to close it with your controller, use Xpadder above to map "ALT+F4", which will instantly close any program. The easiest way to do this is to map it to two separate buttons you aren't likely to push at the same time, like Start+Select.
Custom Banner Art For Games
http://steambanners.booru.org/index.php
Ah, it stinks, it sucks, it's anthropologically unjust
minor incident on
+3
Posts
Reddit has a rather lengthy post with lots of sample builds: http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/zo9x4/build_help_in_light_of_big_picture_lets_design_an/
I'm going to add a bit of that type of info to the OP shortly, but that's a good start.
Ahhahaha I just about died laughing at this. whew
A+, man.
Coincidentally, I just posted in the PC build thread about my steam box build:
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better
bit.ly/2XQM1ke
You oculd knock out a build for around about one third the cost (maybe even less!) of this and it would handle all of your 720p HD TV gaming like a champ
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better
bit.ly/2XQM1ke
If I opt into the Big Picture beta will doing so put me in the beta on both my computers (HTPC and my gaming rig) and how will it effect my new community beta access (or is that out of beta?)?
Cool, thanks Emp. I'm gonna be running audio through my Astro mixamp to my 'phones and for movie watching, I'll just pump it to my receiver via hdmi
I have no idea about how the BPM beta will affect the new community beta, but you can definitely run betas over multiple rigs. At least I could with the community beta anyway
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better
bit.ly/2XQM1ke
Steam ID: Good Life
I had all the tabs set up, ready to make my own thread. I knew there was some demand to make this thread to educate newbies about how to achieve the ideal "big picture" for their PCs. I just wasn't aware someone else wanted to make the thread as well. Once again, my laziness has backfired on me.
Not that I entirely mind, so long as the information is getting shared. But there are some useful things I would like to share, if minor would be so kind to add them to the OP.
1. For controller emulation: Some people swear by Joy2Key, and there's a new program making the rounds called GlovePIE. But personally, I recommend Xpadder as the simplest method to map keyboard/mouse commands to your controller: http://xpadder.com/
I also found out recently that you can set up auto profiles that will open and close with the games that you associate them with. No longer will you have to manually switch profiles around to avoid conflicts!
This video sums up how to do it easily. Just mute it, as the clicking gets rather maddening:
2. For non-Steam, non-exe games: For those unaware, Steam will only add .exe shortcuts to the library, which causes a bit of a problem for games that don't follow that extension, or require an external program to open them. Recently, I learned how to bypass both these hurdles, thus making it possible to add every single kind of game to your ideal Steam library.
First, make sure to associate the file with the required program, that way it opens up automatically without you having to start up said program. Next, make sure your Windows folders are enabled not to hide file extensions.
Rename the file you want to add to end with .exe. This will allow you to add it to Steam; after it's been added, rename the file back to its original extension, and make sure to do the same thing with the Steam shortcut under Properties>Target.
Viola! Now you can open up the game on Steam! And if you're looking for a quick way to close it with your controller, use Xpadder above to map "ALT+F4", which will instantly close any program. The easiest way to do this is to map it to two separate buttons you aren't likely to push at the same time (I use Start+Select).
3. For custom banners for Steam and non-Steam games: http://steambanners.booru.org/index.php
4. For the ideal Big Picture Media Player: XBMC, bar none: http://xbmc.org/
Just add it as a Steam shortcut, set up a profile with Xpadder, and look up all the extra sources to add your favorite web videos. YouTube, Blip, GiantBomb, there's a huge variety of stuff and it all works perfectly.
Other things to add: I don't have immediate knowledge of the following, but I feel these should be added to the OP as well:
1. How to set up a PS3 controller for Windows (and make it think it's an Xbox controller; I did this once, but it was a bit of a lengthy process, so I can't recall off-hand how to do it. Honestly, just stick with the Logitech controller linked above)
2. How to set up a Wiimote
3. Links to DVI-to-HDMI adapters, and the required audio cables
4. Recommended iOS apps for virtual keyboard/mouse controls (I'd especially like to know this)
Anyone who finds out how to do this stuff should reply so it can be added to the OP.
I was also going to share the configuration to allow Steam navigation with the D-pad, but that's been patched in with the latest update. Yay.
Finally, this Reddit thread features further advice in building a budget "Steam Box". Might be worth a look: www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/zo9x4/build_help_in_light_of_big_picture_lets_design_an/
Blog||Tumblr|Steam|Twitter|FFXIV|Twitch|YouTube|Podcast|PSN|XBL|DarkZero
It's certainly really cheap!
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better
bit.ly/2XQM1ke
Nice work
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better
bit.ly/2XQM1ke
Hooray for Teamwork!
Blog||Tumblr|Steam|Twitter|FFXIV|Twitch|YouTube|Podcast|PSN|XBL|DarkZero
(no, not porn-related)
It's damn pretty though. Can't wait until they let you customize the Big Picture background.
Also, if Double Dragon Neon ever gets a PC release (and FYI, it's surprisingly fun), someone needs to make a custom icon of the pic above.
Blog||Tumblr|Steam|Twitter|FFXIV|Twitch|YouTube|Podcast|PSN|XBL|DarkZero
A method was posted a couple of times on GAF, but unfortunately I can't find it now.
I'd also like a way to disable the Xbox battery screen from popping up whenever I hit the Guide button.
Blog||Tumblr|Steam|Twitter|FFXIV|Twitch|YouTube|Podcast|PSN|XBL|DarkZero
3DS Friend Code: 2165-6448-8348 www.Twitch.TV/cooljammer00
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Absolutely nothing
Without wanting to sound liek some kind of PC master race wanker, it's a matter of making people aware that they don't have to play consoles that are old as hell and that PC building is super easy nowadays
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better
bit.ly/2XQM1ke
I do like my pcs to have a bit more muscle, but that machine is pretty good.
For the next few years, at least, the Windows side is the way to go if you want a decent selection of games to choose from.
It is nice to dream about it, even if it may never come to pass.
They got the Xbox 360 pads 'home' button to work in BPM. If they can pull that off, I bet they can do some magic with the direct X setback.
It's not a question of magic, it's a question of Microsoft would sue their pants off. DirectX is proprietary and will remain Windows-only foreverrrrrrr.
I'll include some info on all this stuff with the big update to the OP I'm putting together for later.
Also: yes, DirectX is the big thing keeping any of this Linux/custom OS stuff from happening. Porting to OpenGL isn't something many devs want to bother with, and MS would NEVER license DirectX because doing so would remove their stranglehold on gaming.
It's 100% their code. They can do what they want.
They created the code. It's like Apple and, say, Final Cut Pro. They're under no obligation to port it to Windows because its existence solely on Macs sells lots of hardware for Apple.
And the DirectX thing is shitty. Can people copy it in any way or is it a protected thing? Like a form of emulation?
edit: Apologies for the silly questions, but it baffles me.
The official specs list the size as:
Case size (WxHxD): 210x395x490mm
It wouldn't be wholly unprecedented -- the .NET framework is similar and the open source community has replicated most of it (but not all of it) in Mono. However, that is a managed software framework that sits on top of the OS, while DirectX goes a lot deeper into making a unified programming interface across hundreds of different graphics cards. You could think of the .NET Framework as something that mostly sits on top of Windows, while DirectX is actually part of Windows. Also, Microsoft has given some amount of support towards Mono, including promising not to sue Mono for infringing on their patents, which they would probably not do if someone decided to make an open clone of DirectX.
This a quick one I spotted on amazon