GoKawiilValve adds Pyrowave codec to Steam Remote Play beta for LAN game streaming
Valve has integrated Pyrowave, a video codec built by open-source developer Hans-Kristian Arntzen specifically for in-home game streaming, into the Steam beta client's Remote Play feature. Unlike general-purpose codecs such as AVC or AV1, Pyrowave is designed to cut encoding and decoding delays and avoid chroma subsampling artifacts that cause blurry text, though it reportedly requires roughly 5 to 10 times more bandwidth to do so.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Traditional streaming codecs were built for prerecorded video, not the low-latency, interactive demands of gaming, so a purpose-built codec could meaningfully reduce input lag and improve image clarity for local streaming setups. The steep bandwidth cost suggests this feature will likely suit users with strong local networks rather than typical Wi-Fi or internet streaming, positioning it as a niche but potentially influential option for competitive or quality-focused users.
- Pyrowave is a new codec built specifically for local-network game streaming, not adapted video tech.
- It aims to reduce encode/decode latency and preserve text clarity by avoiding chroma subsampling.
- The tradeoff is 5-10 times higher bandwidth usage compared to standard codecs.
ASUS ROG Strix wireless gaming router — Since Pyrowave's low-latency streaming benefits hinge on a fast, stable local network, a gaming-focused router can help you get the most out of Steam Remote Play. Features like QoS and strong wired/wireless throughput reduce jitter, which matters even more now that this codec trades bandwidth for responsiveness.
See ASUS ROG Strix wireless gaming router on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Zak Killian, 2026-09-28
Published there as: “Steam adds low-latency Pyrowave codec to Remote Play — new codec offers better game streaming on local networks but costs '5-10 times' more bandwidth”
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