Moonlight Qt is a desktop application that lets you stream games and other programs from a remote computer to your local Linux system. It uses the GameStream protocol and works with Sunshine, a game streaming host that can run on Linux, Windows and macOS.
The software is designed to deliver a responsive streaming experience, making it possible to play demanding games on less powerful hardware. The host computer handles the application workload and video encoding, while Moonlight receives the video stream and sends keyboard, mouse and controller input back to the host.
Although gaming is its primary focus, Moonlight can also be used for general remote desktop access. This makes it useful for accessing demanding graphical applications, working with a more powerful computer elsewhere on the network or connecting to a machine over the internet.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Hardware-accelerated video decoding on Linux, including support for VA-API, VDPAU and Vulkan Video where available.
- Support H.264, HEVC and AV1 video codecs, with AV1 requiring a compatible Sunshine host and supported hardware.
- Offer HDR streaming for compatible displays and hardware.
- Support YUV 4:4:4 colour sampling with Sunshine to improve image quality, particularly for text and desktop applications.
- Provide 7.1 surround sound audio support.
- Support up to 16 gamepads with force feedback and motion controls.
- Offer 10-point multitouch input when connected to a compatible Sunshine host.
- Provide pointer capture for games and direct mouse control for remote desktop applications.
- Allow system-wide keyboard shortcuts, including Alt+Tab, to be passed to the remote computer.
- Provide configurable streaming settings covering resolution, frame rate, video bitrate and other playback options.
Website: github.com/moonlight-stream/moonlight-qt
Support:
Developer: Moonlight Game Streaming Project
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Moonlight Qt is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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