Following Virtual Desktop’s implementation of the feature, the latest Public Beta release for Valve’s Steam Link on Quest adds support for wired USB PC streaming.
Meta Horizon OS 2.5 and later includes Android USB networking (NCM) support, meaning that apps can request a direct network link to a connected host computer over USB after the user approves the system-wide permission required to enable the feature.
In the case of Steam Link, this works by simply plugging a data-capable USB-C cable into the headset after launching the app. An active USB connection is currently indicated by a cycling Wi-Fi signal on the SteamVR dock.
At the time the SteamVR forum was flooded with reports of connection errors, mainly Quest 3, I think some 2 too. Nobody seemed sure what caused it exactly.
Some were adamant it was a bitrate/stream quality problem, but I reduced it till it was instant vomiting-level of quality and still couldn’t keep a connection for more than 5 minutes.
Some said it was a wifi bandwidth issue, but I ended up using a dedicated wifi 6 router with only the ethernet-plugged PC and wireless Quest 3 on it, at like a 4 meter distance with no obstacle and it was still not working.
The exact same hardware and configuration were flawless with VD, even better than SteamVR when it still worked.
So yeah, I’ll try again, if for no other reason because I need something that works better with linux. Unfortunately no VD there.
Yeah, it may well be my settings are really low so it’s not troubled on bandwidth or performance on the headset end. By all accounts, I should have no end of problems with a 1060 GPU, and a max of 1Gb/s ethernet to a big standard wireless router that serves the whole house.
It struggles a bit with two headsets connected to the WiFi, but still playable.
That’s computers for you. Nothing has really made sense and probably never will.