Live Your Best Xbox Life Across Multiple TVs
As a passionate gamer with over 200 titles in my Xbox library, I‘m always seeking ways to stream and access my favorite games on every screen in the house. Whether your goal is continuing a Halo campaign in the bedroom, or casually grinding Forza races in the living room while others use the main TV, Xbox offers more flexibility than ever to play games where you want.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll explore all the methods available to wirelessly extend your Xbox experience to alternate TVs and devices, along with my expert tips for buttery smooth gameplay. Let‘s dive in!
Can You Stream Xbox to Another TV?
The short answer – absolutely! Microsoft has invested heavily in streaming technology to let you untether your Xbox gaming sessions from the console itself.
You now have options including:
- Remote Play with the Xbox app
- HDMI over IP streaming
- Wireless HDMI solutions
- Screen mirroring protocols like WiDi and Miracast
- Capture card streaming with OBS Studio
- Cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Many of these leverage your home wifi network to transmit video and controller inputs, while the Xbox handles all game processing. The result is stunning remote gameplay at up to 4K 60fps with near zero lag when configured properly.
I‘ll cover setup tips and feature comparisons of each method in detail below.
Remote Play with the Xbox App
The easiest way to stream Xbox games to another TV is using the official Xbox app available on Windows 10 devices and Android/iOS phones.
The Xbox app streams gameplay video and sends your controller inputs over your local network or the internet back to your console. This allows remote access to your Xbox even when away from home!
Here are the steps to enable Remote Play:
On your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console, go to Settings > General > Remote features and enable Remote Play as well as Device streaming.
Download and install the Xbox app on your streaming device, signing in with the same Microsoft account as your console.
On your device, launch the Xbox app, select Consoles > Remote play and choose your console.
Once connected, you can navigate the Xbox dashboard and launch games as if holding the native controller.
My Tips for Flawless Remote Play
- For best performance, connect your console via ethernet, and use 5Ghz wifi on the streaming device. This prevents network congestion issues that introduce lag.
- Try different locations to get your device closest to the wifi router with direct line of sight. Use the in-app connection tests.
- On Windows, an Xbox Wireless Controller connected via USB offers the most responsive inputs. Bluetooth has more latency.
- Enable Game Mode on your TV to disable post-processing effects that induce delay.
I‘ve streamed Xbox to my media room TV upstairs using an old laptop with impressive quality. While not as perfect as a direct HDMI connection, Remote Play is very playable for more casual gaming. It won‘t cut it for competitive online multiplayers though where every millisecond counts.
Supported Devices
Xbox Remote Play is available on:
- Windows 10 PCs and tablets
- Android phones running 6.0 and higher
- iPhones and iPads running iOS 14 and higher
- The Steam Deck has built-in support as of SteamOS 3.3
And it‘s completely free to use! Just factor in the hardware costs if investing in a dedicated streaming device.
HDMI over IP Streaming
For pixel perfect Xbox streaming to alternate displays, HDMI over IP devices maintain a real-time faultless video connection by encoding the HDMI signal and transmitting it over your local network.
Image courtesy complectere.com
This allows extending long range HDMI connections without signal degradation, splitter compatibility issues, or sacrificed resolution/refresh rates. It‘s the next best thing to running direct video cables.
Popular options include:
- HDMI Matrices – central hubs allowing any source to output to any connected display.
- HDMI over IP Transmitters and Receivers – travel in pairs to create point-to-point connections.
- HDMI over IP Splitters – single input to multiple output distribution.
Xbox specifically recommends using the ATEN VS1804T HDMI Matrix which sells for $899.
Benefits of HDMI over IP Xbox Streaming
- Zero lag with instant response times. Ideal for fast paced multiplayer.
- Lossless 4K HDR video and multichannel audio pass through.
- Extend distances up to 330 ft over Cat 6 ethernet.
- Integrate Xbox into multi-room A/V distribution systems.
However, units start around $200 and require running ethernet infrastructure. Complex troubleshooting of encoders and powered devices can also limit plug-and-play simplicity.
Still, for hardcore gamers an HDMI matrix is the definitive way to flawlessly extend Xbox gaming to any TV in the house!
Cut the Cables with Wireless HDMI
If pulling new cables isn‘t realistic, wireless video transmission using the 60 Ghz frequency band offers a reliable medium with enough bandwidth for uncompressed 4K video. These systems convert the HDMI input to a wireless signal sent to a receiver connected to your TV.
The Xbox certified Nyrius Aries Prime is my top recommendation with sub 2ms latency and support for 4K HDR at 60fps. It outperforms cheaper generic options which suffer spotty connections or forced 1080p output.
What I Love About the Nyrius Aries
- Plug-and-play with auto device discovery
- Transmits signals through walls at up to 100 ft range
- Xbox certification for zero lag gaming without delay
- Premium 4K HDR performance beating wired HDMI
- Uses uncompressed signaling for zero video compression
At around $300 for a transmitter/receiver pair, the cost is easier to stomach than an enterprise HDMI matrix system. I use the Nyrius Aries daily to beam my Xbox gaming upstairs and it feels indistinguishable from a directly wired connection.
Cut All Cables with Screen Mirroring
Here‘s where things get easier but potentially inconsistent. Modern smart TVs support screen mirroring standards like Google Cast, Miracast, and Intel WiDi. This allows compatible devices to wirelessly mirror their displays over Wi-Fi to your TV.
The Xbox One, Series X/S, and Windows 10 all include native support for these protocols. So if your TV already advertises casting capabilities or Miracast support, try wirelessly mirroring your Xbox display to easily beam gameplay without any extras.
From your Xbox Settings menu:
- Navigate to General > TV & display options
- Select Device connector
- Choose Wireless display
- Pick your TV from the list of available devices
However, reliability varies across TV brands. You may experience random disconnects, lag, or instability which interrupts gaming sessions. Root causes include:
- Wi-Fi congestion from neighborhood networks
- Microwave and cordless phone interference
- Outdated casting/mirroring firmware in older TVs
I only recommend screen mirroring for casual gaming rather than competitive multiplayer sessions. Position your Xbox and TV as close together as possible, with direct line of sight to the router for best results.
Here are the key wireless display specs to look out for when TV shopping for reliable Xbox streaming:
- Google Cast
- Miracast certified
- Intel WiDi support
- HDCP 2.2 compliant
LG‘s webOS platform offers the most polished casting capabilities from my testing.
Capture Card Streaming with OBS Studio
Another way you may already have the gear for Xbox game streaming is connecting an external capture card to a Windows PC or laptop on the same local network. These PCIe cards or USB devices encode real-time video from HDMI sources like your Xbox console for recording or live streaming purposes.
Popular picks like the Elgato HD60 S or AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus run around $150-$200. Paired with the free and full-featured OBS Studio streaming software, this allows capturing Xbox gameplay and creatively compositing layouts with webcams, custom graphics, chat integration and more.
The feed can then be viewed on a secondary TV connected to the streaming PC. This essentially transforms your Xbox into a home gaming channel!
Benefits of Capture Card Streaming
- Create professional live stream aesthetics
- Add overlays, notifications, face cams and green screens
- Manage and broadcast to streaming platforms
- Capture gameplay to edit into YouTube highlight reels
- Higher quality than wireless streaming with customizable bitrates
The gaming and working from home trends have sparked wider familiarity of streaming tools. So there‘s a good chance your environment already supports integrating game capture to distribute Xbox gaming feeds anywhere they‘re needed.
Most capture cards use HDMI 2.0 for lag free passthrough supporting 4K HDR at 60 fps. However, actual streaming resolution depends on your network bandwidth, PC performance, and encoding settings. For remote viewing rather than dedicated live streaming, aim for 1080p quality at 60fps.
Now let‘s move beyond local consoles to tap into the power of the cloud!
Xbox Cloud Gaming
Microsoft‘s Xbox Cloud Gaming service streams Xbox console and PC games directly from Azure data centers rather than your home hardware. This allows playing next gen titles across phones, tablets, browsers, and yes – even compatible smart TVs!
Cloud gaming requires only a strong internet connection rather than owning expensive gaming rigs. Microsoft officially supports cloud game streaming on Samsung 2022 smart TV models via a dedicated Xbox app.
Streaming Xbox games to TV with Xbox Cloud Gaming follows these steps:
- Ensure your TV has the latest firmware and Smart Hub updates.
- Install the Xbox TV App from Samsung Gaming Hub
- Login with your Microsoft Account
- Launch and play any supported cloud game!
Since launch, Microsoft has expanded the lineup to now over 100 high quality titles with more added regularly. Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Starfield are confirmed upcoming launches direct to the cloud.
The convenience of subscription game access appeals to 85% of next gen console buyers per NPD‘s 2022 Gaming Trends report. Xbox Cloud Gaming removes hardware barriers so more players than ever can now stream immersive worlds to whatever screen they choose.
My Experience Testing Cloud Gaming
Overall, the technology has matured impressively across my hours of hands-on evaluation. Image quality closely matches native Xbox console output at up to 1080p/60fps. Input lag is very playable, feeling only slightly less responsive than my wired home Xbox controller.
However, frame rate stability and controller lag can spike unexpectedly during chaotic segments with lots of particle effects or quick camera movements. I don‘t recommend cloud gaming yet for competitive online shooters or fighters demanding pixel perfect reactions. But the majority of story-based adventures and RPGs play great!
The technology still seems best suited for supplemental on-the-go access rather than completely replacing your console. But will this remain true in another few years? Only time will tell!
As you can see, Xbox gaming is no longer confined to solitary consoles chained to the living room. Microsoft is clearly executing on their "Xbox Everywhere" vision spanning home streaming, portability with the Steam Deck, and cloud game access built into Samsung TVs.
This guide explored all the ways to untether your game library across your house or on the go. I covered key aspects like performance, pricing and ease of use for each method.
- Are multiple TVs demanding access to your newest Xbox? Consider an HDMI matrix or wireless HDMI gear for lag-free enjoyment.
- Adding a capture card delivers advanced streaming flexibility combined with OBS Studio‘s compositing might.
- Casually continuing adventures from the couch or bed? Xbox Remote Play apps nicely fill the gap.
- subscription service that‘ll please The Xbox Cloud Gaming cloud gaming service pleases both patient story explorers and competitive multiplayer fanatics alike thanks to its library breadth, ease of access across devices, and mature streaming technology.
It‘s an exciting era to be an Xbox gamer with more options than ever to access titles across all your screens. I hope this guide helps fellow players experience their favorite virtual worlds from any room they wish.
What unconventional places have you enjoyed Xbox gameplay from recently? Let me know on @XcloudMaster hindrances separating you from adventure. Game on!
