Steam Remote Play gains a new codec designed to reduce streaming latency for local network gaming. This update matters because lower lag improves responsiveness for fast-paced titles where every millisecond counts. Players relying on wired connections for high-quality streaming will see the most immediate benefit from these changes.
Experimental codec prioritizes processing speed over bandwidth efficiency
Valve is introducing a codec named Pyrowave to the Steam Remote Play software. The company describes this as an experimental feature aimed at decreasing the delay between input and display. Unlike previous codecs that optimized for data compression, Pyrowave shifts the focus toward processing speed and visual fidelity.
The Pyrowave codec requires a stable 1 Gigabit wired network connection to function properly. Tests conducted by Digital Foundry on a docked ROG Xbox Ally X reported latency between 10 and 15 milliseconds at 1080p resolution. The update also adds support for HDR and the YUV 4:4:4 color format to improve text clarity and color accuracy.
Valve explicitly states that this codec is not intended for VR devices and is strictly for flat screen gaming. The design prioritizes quality and processing power over bandwidth efficiency, which means it consumes more network resources. This tradeoff allows for sharper images and faster response times but demands a robust home network infrastructure.
While the latency improvements are measurable, the difference may be marginal for casual players who do not require frame-perfect precision. The feature remains in an experimental phase as Valve continues to refine the codec's performance. Users with compatible hardware and high-speed wired connections can enable the option to test the new streaming experience.
Source: SteamDeckHQ
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