Every PC I’ve ever used automatically detects and adjusts resolution to the display you connect to it. Even Nintendo Switch will detect when it’s docked and automatically adjust the display resolution. But on Steam Deck you literally have to adjust the display resolution for every game, every time you switch displays.

Since getting the SD I have shoved my PC into another room to displace the heat (until I get a mini-split) and I just stream from it to the Deck, whether docked at my desk or on the couch or on the big screen. But this really complicates that process unnecessarily.

This has also not been fixed in Nobara or Chimera.

What’s the limitation there?

  • kebabslob@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    26·
    1 year ago

    The limitation isn’t there, it’s deliberate. If you look when you connect to a monitor, the resolutions you can select for a game are resolutions detected by the Deck to be supported by the monitor. The Deck deliberately doesn’t go for the highest supported resolution by Default, I imagine this is because the Deck’s hardware is optimized for lower-resolution play, which is why it usually just stops at 1280x720p cuz the deck itself is 1280x800p which is pretty close.

      • garrett@lemm.eeEnglish
        111·
        1 year ago

        This actually is an option!

        I’ve used it to play games from the Deck at native 1080p on my TV.

        I’m not at my Steam Deck right now, but I remember it’s in the settings. I think if you go to the game’s settings, look for something like “native” display. You have to go into the settings for each game you want at a larger resolution on an external monitor in game mode and select “native”.

        I don’t remember if it needs to first be enabled on the system settings in the display area. (I think it does the right thing for system settings by default in most cases.)

        IIRC, desktop mode also automatically supports the native resolution, but game mode is nice and console-like. Desktop mode might be a bit clunkier than what you’d want for couch gaming. Setting the option in game mode for the game is likely your best option.

          • garrett@lemm.eeEnglish
            2·
            1 year ago

            Oh, sorry. I missed that detail. ☹️ Apologies.

            Yeah, I agree that it’s a bother to do it with every game. You’re absolutely right.

            This should be some global setting, especially as they even officially sell a dock.

          • Sethayy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            213·
            1 year ago

            Its linux. Then either get in the config yourself and change the value or quit bitching.

            Can’t always expect everyone to hand solve all of your problems for you, no matter how hard you complain

            Edit to explain myself a bit, what I have an issue with is that this is a problem with a solution (not in the config), BUT that solution just isn’t easy enough for OP.

            They want steam to test and maintain ANOTHER database of all their games for which ones most likely won’t lag in higher resolutions than the one they designed the entire system around.

            This ain’t no linux elitism, its just that steam is focusing its efforts on making much more important things usable than simplifying this one specific workflow, which I 100% believe is justified (look how far proton has come solely thanks to steam)

            • WorseDoughnut 🍩@lemdro.idEnglish
              62·
              1 year ago

              The SteamDeck is intended to be a normal, non-Linux expert, platform first and foremost. Also please don’t be a shithead for no reason.

              • Sethayy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                1·
                1 year ago

                For sure but even windows has the registry and macos its terminal, its not uncommon for non-common usage cases to not have a nice pretty setting on the home screen.

                I’d say it’d make a lot more people hate the deck if every time they tried to use it on a tv it lagged to ass cause it defaults to the 4k of the television when it struggles at 720 normally.

                100% support where steams efforts are going, and I don’t think it should be on menial issues like this

              • vinnymac@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                51·
                1 year ago

                Just wanted to say, I am a software engineer, and your concerns are valid.

                The user experience is surely something Steam wants to improve, and I expect they will iterate both on the current software and future hardware revisions.

                I don’t think anyone other than Valve will know why they don’t have the desired functionality. The answers are usually long and boring for this type of problem.

                • Sethayy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                  1·
                  1 year ago

                  And then again you’d know better than anyone that hardware has its limitations for a reason, so maintaining ANOTHER database like proton just for lightweight games that can run 4k sounds pretty excessive when they’re mostly focused on common issues like booting games. Can’t solve all github issues no matter how hard one wants to try, things take time

              • Sethayy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                1·
                1 year ago

                Just saying the problem is very fixable and steamos is insanely user friendly, but they can’t be expected to solve every problem ever, again no matter how hard you whine

      • phx@lemmy.caEnglish
        7·
        1 year ago

        Because if it defaults to the highest level on some games it might lock up the hardware, whereas if you start low you can bump it up until you find the optimal setting

      • Nawor3565@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        61·
        1 year ago

        I mean, what’s the point in rendering a game in 4K if the display is only 1080p? It seems like it would mostly be a waste of computing resources.