Access Gaming Computer >100 ft. Away

[Chairein]

My wife and I have built ourselves a walking treadmill setup where we like to play slower paced games (Crusader Kings 3 primarily) and get some exercise. Unfortunately, our computers are a floor up and in a different room (I'm estimating ~100 feet away, though it could be a bit more). Currently I unplug everything and lug our two computers around (my wife has an injured back) when I want to use it for the walking treadmill but I would love a better solution that doesn't involve moving the computers.

 

I've watched Linus' separate room PC build and the relatively new video he posted a year ago on Corning Optical Thunderbolt 3 and was inspired - unfortunately, our motherboards don't support thunderbolt and fully upgrading our systems is not currently in scope.

 

A potential alternative seems to be an HDMI Extender or HDMI over Ethernet, which might get me the distance I'm looking for. Any thoughts if something like this Cable Matters Wall Mount HDMI Extender (HDMI Over Ethernet Cable) would work for what I'm trying to accomplish (~100 feet in distance)? Similarly, could I do the same with our USB peripherals (i.e., keyboard, mouse) with something like Cable Matters USB Over Ethernet Extender with Power Adapter?

 

Thanks in advanced!!

[OhioYJ]

I use a Steam Link still on an almost daily basis as I do most of my gaming in the living room (using my PC in my office)

[Chairein]

3 hours ago, OhioYJ said:

I use a Steam Link still on an almost daily basis as I do most of my gaming in the living room (using my PC in my office)

Will that work given the distance?

[OhioYJ]

1 hour ago, Chairein said:

Will that work given the distance?

I use the actual Steam Link hardware. It's recommended to use it with a wired connection, however it does work over Wifi. I used the wired connection and it works perfect. These are no longer sold new though. You can build your own, or acquire a used one from eBay or something similar if you wanted to go that route.  So really the distance doesn't matter, as long it has a network connection.

 

Steam now uses an App for Steam link. This route I know less about, as I said I use the physical hardware. Again the app just needs a network connection.

[Chairein]

15 hours ago, OhioYJ said:

I use the actual Steam Link hardware. It's recommended to use it with a wired connection, however it does work over Wifi. I used the wired connection and it works perfect. These are no longer sold new though. You can build your own, or acquire a used one from eBay or something similar if you wanted to go that route.  So really the distance doesn't matter, as long it has a network connection.

 

Steam now uses an App for Steam link. This route I know less about, as I said I use the physical hardware. Again the app just needs a network connection.

Checking Facebook marketplace now. I think that could be answer if it works. With the Steam Link, does it need to be hooked up to another computer? Or does it hook up directly to the peripherals (i.e., separate monitor, mouse and keyboard)?

[OhioYJ]

4 hours ago, Chairein said:

With the Steam Link, does it need to be hooked up to another computer? Or does it hook up directly to the peripherals (i.e., separate monitor, mouse and keyboard)?

If you use the hardware, or make your own: Steam needs to be running on your PC that the game will be running on. You can exit big picture mode if you want. The Steam link will Stream your PC to the TV still, I've played other Windows (non Steam games in this manner). The Steam link plugs directly into your TV (or monitor I guess) in the other room. It only needs a network connection. No connection to the PC is needed. Then you plug your controllers, keyboard, etc, whatever you want into the Steam link. I typically use controllers for my living room gaming. Steam links have USB ports so use whatever you want. 

 

Now keep in mind the Steam link (original hardware) has some limitations. Some people gripe because the original hardware only did 1080 IIRC. It doesn't bother me. Doesn't sound like a big deal for the type of games you are playing.  There is also some minor lag introduced. Honestly for most things I never noticed. I played all the through Doom (2016) and go to the boss and couldn't beat the boss.  It wasn't until I tried it in my office on high refresh rate monitors I noticed the Steam link had just a bit of lag in it. It was no problem in front of my monitors.  We still play most every game in the living room, that is just one example that sticks in my mind that it was noticable and made a difference. You're talking playing different types of games, so again I don't think it will be a big deal. 

 

I haven't tried the software solution so I can't speak to how that works.