TV Built-In Steam Link App Issues

[Vleisie]

I have a TCL TV which runs Google TV and thus has a built-in Steam Link App. My gaming PC is upstairs and the TV downstairs, however, they are both connected to the LAN via a Gbps ethernet connection. I'm experiencing notable input latency (feels like around 400-500ms) which makes it almost impossible to play even casual games. I originally thought this was due to the combined delay of the Bluetooth controllers (connecting PS4 controllers to the TV) and streaming over the network.

However, after some research it appears that the majority of the latency may be due to the TV's image processing features. The TCL Game Master mode is supposed to disable these features and reduce input latency, but it is not possible to turn this mode on for native applications since it is only available for external sources connected via HDMI. I'm considering the following 3 options to fix this:

1. I have an Intel NUC lying around with Linux installed which I can connect to the TV's HDMI directly (which should then hopefully allow me to turn on Game Master). I can then install a Desktop Environment and the Steam Link app (or Moonlight which supposedly has slightly better performance).
2. Getting a KVM/HDMI extender. Looks like you can either get one that will work over the standard IP protocol (which can traverse the network switch), or an HDbaseT version (which will require a point-to-point CAT6 cable, which means I'll have to run another cable - not ideal but possible). I know you can even get KVM extenders using an optical cable, but these are ridiculously expensive.
3. Configuring a custom video mode on the TV where I try to disable all image processing settings to minimize input lag (not sure if it is possible to get it as low as the game master mode though), and continuing to use the built in Steam Link app.

Has anyone done something similar to the above. What were your learnings and which setup would you recommend? Also, is there a solution which will allow FreeSync to function?

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Why not just use moonlight?

 

[Vleisie]

Why not just use moonlight?

Most likely what I'm going to end up doing. But looks like the main thing is to run Moonlight or Steam Link on a dedicated device connected via HDMI rather than as an App directly on the TV in order to avoid input lag caused by the TV's image processing, or am I missing something here? Also, which server side software would you recommend with Moonlight between Sunshine or Apollo?

 

[Herr der Verboten]

I've tried the hdmi 30 meter thing and it worked until it just went tits up and I didn't want to replace the cable again after I were on the second one. However, I still have my usb inputs at tv room which goes back directly into my pc:

pc -> usb -> self powered usb 3 hub -> controller, keyboard, mouse tc.

Currently with my apple tv I run moonlight and sunshine, but also I do not use steam big picture for this, I do the one where its a session to my desktop, can't remember which one is that and then using mouse I obviously start my game. So then all launchers are supported.

Then moonlight is setup for best middle ground in performance, quality and least latency. Doesn't your tv have a mode where it just displays as-is with no or little processing? Otherwise yes, another device before it would probably solve this, idk.