STACK #179 Sept 2019

GAMES FEATURE

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PCtoTV Really long cables are the most basic way to play PC games on your TV. A five-metre Belkin High Speed HDMI Cable is a good start. Then you can string together as many Belkin or XCD USB extension cables as needed for keyboard and mouse control. Except that’s not particularly elegant. Invest in Nvidia Shield TV or Steam Link to stream from PC to TV. Certain TVs, like Samsung models (from 2016 onwards), have a Steam Link app that foregoes the need for additional hardware to stream your Steam library from PC to TV. Try to use Ethernet for a smoother gameplay experience.

SCREENING DISPLAYS Any monitor that supports HDMI input will work on desktop PC (and laptops with a HDMI- out port or compatible dock) and consoles. But just because your ancient monitor is compatible across platforms, it doesn’t mean

options like the Astro A50 wireless (in PS4 or XBO flavours) and more budget-friendly cans like the Plantronics RIG 400HS. On top of this, if a headset has the option for a 3.5mm connection (primarily or as an input alternative), that headset will work on all platforms with a 3.55mm port. Take the Turtle Beach Recon 70, for instance. There are colour-coded models for PS4 (blue), XBO (green) and Nintendo Switch (red). The reality, though, is these will also work with any PC that has a 3.55mm port, and they’ll also work with the other consoles. The main catch for 3.55mm headsets is that voice functionality isn’t always supported cross-platform and actual technical support may be limited to the platform on the packaging. Really, though, if you want to invest in high-end cans that are fully cross-compatible across platforms, consider something like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. It has out-of- the-box support for PC and PlayStation 4, but there are ways to get audio and chat for Switch and Xbox One with the relevant smartphone app installed.

Game CAPTURE

A lot of streaming and capture peripherals are designed with PCs in mind. That

said, capture devices like the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S are compatible with any platform that has HDMI output. You’ll still need a compatible desktop or laptop (to make life easier) to capture to, but HDMI lag-free HDMI pass-through lets you play on your platform of choice while capturing on PC.

frame rates beyond 60fp – something that’s likely to change with the next-gen consoles – which, for now, means you can save money on an entry-level option like the BenQ ZOWIE RL2455 S. The catch is that PC gaming is much more capable of higher frame rates, so it’s worth investing in a high refresh-rate screen, ideally 144Hz and beyond. For those who prefer to play on Xbox One and PC, FreeSync monitors like the 27-inch Dell S2719DGF equate to tear-free gaming up to 155fps on PC, and no jaggies when playing Xbox One on the same screen. While the not-so-humble PC is the gaming platform that reigns supreme when it comes to peripheral versatility, it’s well worth considering investing in gear that’s also compatible with console gaming of today and, potentially, tomorrow.

it should be your go-to. Gaming monitors are built with image quality and responsiveness in mind, which doesn’t just make for great offline gaming, it’s particularly important for competitive online gaming. This is why, despite pretty much every modern TV including a so-called ‘gaming mode’, gaming monitors tend to have lower input lag, which makes for a smoother gaming experience. Console games don’t yet exceed

STORAGE SOLUTIONS Both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 support storage expansion via compatible USB 3.0 hard drives like the WD My Passport Portable (in your preferred terabyte size). Alternatively, if you’ve got a PC storage hard drive sitting around gathering

dust, connect it to your console to see if it’s compatible. Jump into ‘Settings’, ‘Devices’, ‘USB Storage Devices’ to verify PS4 compatibility, and ‘Settings’, ‘System’, ‘Storage’ for Xbox One. From here, you can choose whether games are installed on the internal or external drive.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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