Steam Link; multiple clients and single USB server - automatically attach devices to the correct client?

Hi

I'm currently using virtual here on 2 nvidia shields to pass through controllers and the like to my gaming PC via steam link, Parsec etc. This is all working wonderfully but as my son gets older and more annoying he is demanding more time using my PC for games. What I intend to do is build him his own that is remote so I can control when he plays rather than keep it in his room. We have two xbox one controllers which are passed through to my gaming PC as we move from shield TVs all the time and I can simply unplug the adapters and move them (I have two adapters for good reason).

The consequence of the position above however is that I need to find a way to pass through the devices properly to different clients from either the same server or different servers and have them automatically captured and used by the right client. Of course I could get 2 additional controllers and assign them to another client so each client has 2 nominated controllers but that seems rather overkill.

Is there any method by which the client software can detect steam big picture mode and then automatically attach the controllers for that session only and on stopping of remote play, the client de-attaches the controllers/device?

Thanks,

Chris

#2

Virtualhere is not that closely integrated with steam because valve looks after part and i dont have much control. But basically if you just run virtualhere on your shield entirely outside of steam and then run the virtualhere clients on both pcs then (and in the virtualhere client run Auto-Find Hub on) it will find the android server and then you can right click on the appropriate device and click "Auto-Use Device/Port" and that will make any device attached to that port automatically be used by that client. Just make sure you plug the controller into the same port each time.

#3

So I'm currently running VH outside of the Steam Link app and interface with the VH client directly. This is great as it is now due to a single PC, so no matter the port on the shields both controllers will connect and be in use on the remote pc without interaction from the kids.

What I'm looking for is a way to basically connect the right client to the correct server depending on which computer is being played on; essentially an automated way of doing an old school K&M splitter where the kids do not have to worry about which port/device to plug in were.

How does Steam version of VH work; it only runs when you run steam link? Does it only bind those controllers through to the selected PC when link is running?

#4

Yes thats what the steam does it automatically binds the selected controllers.

You can do that, you just write a program to do that using the client api https://www.virtualhere.com/client_api thats what valve does

#5

Can you tell me how the steam version of virtual here works with the Steam Link app? I presume I do not need to run the android VH app, instead have the VH one from steam running and then it will grab and pass through devices automatically, even ones like the xbox adapter, or does the android VH standalone interface with Steam directly and not need the client running on the remote pc?

#6

Hmmm... Maybe I've got it wrong, does the steam version of Virtual Here work with the actual Steam Link device or would it work with the Steam Link apps they released?

#7

Right so using the built in virtualhere function of steam link solves the issue. I can set each unit to share the controllers, and it remembers them. I bought the Steam version to as I can get access to the steam install of the client so that it all works fine... I can pretty much just chop and change and move controllers between multiple PCs running Steam anytime I want

If I was to buy another android TV unit for example, would buying the steam only version work without the full licensed app in the background? Presume I would still need it installed in order to get the server component up but the licensing comes from the Steam version?

Do you push new clients to Steam as it seems that there is a newer client than the one that steam runs.

#8

Ok cool, when you use the steam purchased version of virtualhere then it only runs when steam is running . If you want to use virtualhere outside of steam, e.g by just using your desktop sharing etc on the sheild and running a game from there then you need a normal license of virtualhere.

I havent pushed a new client for a while, i have been meaning to do this in the new year, i will do it soon...

#9

That's what I thought, I've got normal licenses for the two shields as well as a steam license but good to know that any future units that I do not need full access from the steam version will suffice.

Awesome software just got awesomer.