Computer help: Connecting PC to TV in another room.
Connecting PC to TV in another room.
by VTNomad - 9/20/05 5:08 PMIs this possible? Essentially I want a second monitor in my basement and still want to be able to use the mouse and keyboard to get full functionality. Is there a way to do this wirelessly. I guess I could run a long DVI cable, audio out cable, mouse and keyboard too. There has to be an easier way, any suggestions?
Don't bother
by cnutter_the_2nd - 9/20/05 7:06 PM In reply to: Connecting PC to TV in another room. by VTNomadUnless you plan on using it for watching movies or something, you won't be happy with the results.
TVs, especially non-high end HDTVs without progressive scan capabilities, have a very low and fixed resolution and refresh rate. They also aren't as good at color matching. The resulting image will be blocky and ugly. TVs just don't work well for showing static images.
Now, if you DO want to use it strictly for watching movies, then you first need a video card with TV-Out abilities or some sort of signal converting box, which probably run 50USD+ at a place like Radio Shack. Another option is to get media streaming devices. A lot of them are wireless between the computer and streaming device. It's usually cheaper and easier to just buy a standard DVD player.
My TV
by VTNomad - 9/21/05 5:14 AM In reply to: Don't bother by cnutter_the_2ndI have Toshiba's high end tube HDTV. I doubt I'll be playing any movies because I have an upconversion DVD player on the TV. I mainly want it connected to access the internet for sports scores, program guides, etc.
In that case...
by cnutter_the_2nd - 9/21/05 7:23 AM In reply to: My TV by VTNomadI would suggest you go out and get yourself a cheap second computer. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, an old PentiumII system someone is flogging on ebay for pennies would do nicely.
Set that up with the cheapest TV-Out capable card you can find, and set it somewhere near the TV. Get a basic wireless keyboard and mouse combo, set it up with an Internet connection, and use that instead.
If you don't want some ugly beige monstrocity sitting around, you can spend a little more to try and find a small form factor system. Shuttle is kind of the premire brand for such systems. You pay a little more, but the systems are a lot easier to keep out of sight.
This will be considerably easier to deal with in the long run, and probably not all that more expensive when you get down to everything you'd have to do for the other one.
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