One of the coolest features of Windows 10, if you have an Xbox One, is the ability to stream your console games to your Desktop Pc or Laptop, provided they’re on the same network. It’s something I find myself using surprisingly often – especially when my kids are hogging the TV, and I have an overwhelming urge to shoot stuff or jump on things.
I use an Xbox 360 controller connected to my PC, and everything is mapped out as it should be – it’s all rather magical, provided you’re on a wired connection, or have Wi-Fi that’s up to the task. If Xbox One Streaming does have a problem though, it’s one of quality. Even on the highest available setting, the visual quality of the stream means games look worse than they should (though, it has to be said, better than PlayStation TV’s remote play – and less laggy, too).
Some enterprising chaps over at Reddit have found a way to unlock a higher quality stream, and it’s easy to do. Here’s how:
[Close your Xbox App before you begin]- Step 1: Open File Explorer, and copy/paste this location:
C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Packages\ - Step 2: Scroll down and open the folder that starts with “Microsoft.XboxApp…”
- Step 3: Open the folder LocalState
- Step 4: Right click the file called “userconsoledata” and choose Open With.. (select Notepad or Wordpad)
- Step 5: Change this:
<IsInternalPreview>false</IsInternalPreview>
into this: <IsInternalPreview>true</IsInternalPreview> - Step 6: Now open the Xbox App, begin streaming- and in the top right of the stream window, click the ((o)) button to select Very High.
Checkit:
I’ve done it myself, and can attest that it not only works – but improves the quality of the stream dramatically. What it seems to do is remove the limit on network bandwidth available to the Xbox One app – so even if you weren’t getting great performance on high, you may have better streaming on “very high.” Here’s the wonderful Ori and the Blind Forest, streamed to PC:
And here, from the same Reddit thread, is a comparison between World of Tanks on High and Very High, clickable, to save your bandwidth.
High: http://i.imgur.com/OKgmjxI.png
Very High: http://i.imgur.com/VJ41dRS.png
Last Updated: August 13, 2015
RinceThis
August 13, 2015 at 09:17
Or just play on PC?
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 09:18
Beat me to the punch. 🙂
RinceThis
August 13, 2015 at 09:19
Sorry ;(
Gavin Mannion
August 13, 2015 at 09:24
Can’t play Gears on PC… well not the real one anyway
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 09:25
But isn’t Gears just a poor mans Mass Effect?. 😛
Gavin Mannion
August 13, 2015 at 09:26
You sir are disowned
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 09:29
As a PC gamers we are committed to making sure console gamers don’t feel left out. To that end. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8e1528353c706001f9214d785e760d5f0b811e455a57527fdd85223b30f2c1f2.jpg
JS1HUNDRED
August 14, 2015 at 03:33
Theyre not even remotely similar. You sound severely uninformed.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 14, 2015 at 05:05
And you sir have absolutely no sense of humor.
I will add JK or a smiley face next time.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 13, 2015 at 09:35
Can play Cogs though. 😉
Fweds
August 14, 2015 at 10:19
Think you may find PC owners that also buy a console do it for a reason, it’s not difficult to work that out.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 09:17
Step one: Open Steam
Step two: Buy Ori and the Blind Forest
Step three: Play it on high quality without the need for an X-Box.
😛
Skyblue
August 13, 2015 at 09:18
Done. Thx Geoff. I have also found myself streaming games more often than not. It definitely comes in very handy.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 13, 2015 at 09:23
Hey! Pssst! Geoff’s kids! Say… XBOX OFF!
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 09:24
No change the username to XBOXSIGNOUT and go play CoD. 🙂
Geoffrey Tim
August 13, 2015 at 09:26
Don’t have one of those blasted Kinect things connected. Wouldn’t work. ;P
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 13, 2015 at 09:31
Spoilsport 🙁
RinceThis
August 13, 2015 at 11:23
You’re spoiled!
Fweds
August 14, 2015 at 10:28
Or just go press the off switch on Trevors PC and damage the hard drive at the same time.
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 14, 2015 at 10:33
lol – that shuts it down properly. You should just pull the power plug, wait… don’t do that. :/
Mr na
August 14, 2015 at 12:06
Hold for 4 seconds next time.
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 09:27
Or play it on PC………..oh snap they’ve already said it.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 09:30
Waaaayyyyy late to the party. 😛
DrKiller
August 13, 2015 at 12:16
So much for the PC “master” race 🙂 They usually late for everything!
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
August 13, 2015 at 13:48
True but that is because they know that being an early adopter will just cause headaches so they always arrive late to any party. 🙂
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 09:32
Can you take it even higher?
Or don’t you want to leave the comfort of this place?
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 09:34
I mean on PC there’s a hunger, a longing to escape standard resolutions.
From the console live when the kids are awake
Geoffrey Tim
August 13, 2015 at 09:34
Assassin’s Creed? 😀
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 09:35
Hahahaha close enough
Matthew Holliday
August 13, 2015 at 09:44
can you take me higher?
to a place where blind men see?
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 10:06
XD
HvR
August 13, 2015 at 10:30
But can it run SARS E-filing?
CypherGate
August 13, 2015 at 13:13
You just reminded me that I need to file mine! Every year I hit a blank on how to file that stuff!
DrKiller
August 13, 2015 at 11:03
I honestly can’t see the difference between the High and Very High…
Anyone who tried the streaming yet? Can you do the streaming while the Xbox Controller is still connected to the Xbox? (yes, I am that lazy)
Gavin Mannion
August 13, 2015 at 12:43
Yes you can
DrKiller
August 13, 2015 at 13:39
Perfect 🙂 Thanks
Uberutang
August 13, 2015 at 14:24
How does this compare to Steam in home streaming from PC to PC, quality etc wise?
Geoffrey Tim
August 13, 2015 at 14:48
It’s about the same, from my experiences. Quality/latency is perfect on a wired connection. Actually works better for me on “Very High”
Gardos
August 13, 2015 at 14:48
Streaming doesn’t work for me even on the lowest setting. All via wifi though so that may be the problem. To wire everything up now would just be a mission.
Geoffrey Tim
August 13, 2015 at 14:49
Have a look at perhaps getting some decently specced ethernet over power adapters.
http://www.techradar.com/news/networking/powerline-networking-what-you-need-to-know-930691