Wireless project!

[Carrotchomper]

Good evening.

I am after a bit of advice from the techies here. I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop running Windows XP, Blueyonder broadband and a 32" LG LCD TV with S-Video and all sorts of other inputs I don't understand. Basically, it will take a signal from a PC though and is about 4 months old.

What I would really like to do is make my PC into a "media centre" as it were- Outputting the screen through the TV, so I can access Itunes and the internet on the big screen, and having a wireless keyboard and mouse to control it with from the sofa. I have quite a small flat and find it a bit uncomfortable having the laptop on, well, my lap. It would be absolutely brilliant if I could control it from the sofa, and perhaps run a PIP with Itunes in it. Good lord, a huge digital jukebox! Internet connection can be moved and is not a problem.

I would like some advice on the best way to make this happen. The wireless keyboard and mouse/trackball would need to have a 2-3m range. Is there any way of running the laptop with the cover closed, having switched it on? Otherwise the whole setup would be a bit clumsy!

Any suggestions or advice would be gratefully received. Preferably ones which do not involve new computers or vast expense!

Nanas in advance,

Sam
:bannana: :bannana:

 

[Doodle]

Probably your best bet is to fit a docking station by the tv, that way you can just drop the laptop on and fire it up as required, rather than faffing with connections, switching displays etc etc They are intended to operate with the laptop lid closed.

Most quality wireless kb/mouse solutions should be more than capable of 2-3m range.

 

[gaz_l]

Couple of things to watch out for:

Most laptops will only have a VGA external monitor connection - you can use this to connect to the TV but the quality won't be as good as a true digital (DVI) connection. You'll need to connect the audio with a seperate cable, with a 3.5mm stereo jack plug on each end (as fitted to "walkman" style earphones).

Laptops normally come from the factory set up to shut down or hibernate when you close the lid - you will have to dig around in the settings to enable it to carry on running with the lid closed. Not very hard to do.

Last thing, wireless keyboard/mouse setups sometimes connect using the PS/2 connections and may need two of these (one for keyboard, one for mouse). I haven't seen a laptop for ages with two PS/2 connectors - make sure you get a wireless setup that connects to a USB port.

HTH.

Regards,

Gaz

 

[Carrotchomper]

Thanks a lot for that, the project is starting to look fairly feasible and simple really, I think I will have to play around and see what works. There shouldn't be a problem leaving the laptop plugged in, disabling the "Sleep on closure" feature and instead setting up a time delay for it to hibernate when unused. I should then be able to control it entirely from the wireless keyboard/mouse, only actually switching it off when out of use for a long time.

I have a standard monitor output and also an S-Video output on the laptop- I suppose there's no way of getting a DVI output?

Any idea how much power laptops use when "Hibernating" ond whether leaving it plugged in would adversely affect the battery?

 

[gaz_l]

Unless you have a DVI connector on the laptop (and I don't know of any that have), I don't think there's any way of retro-fitting one. Try the VGA connection anyway, you may be happy with the result and it's there already so it's free!

There shouldn't be a problem with the battery if you leave it connected to mains power, once the battery is fully charged it will turn off the charging circuit. Do keep an eye on the power supply though, some them do get quite hot when plugged in for extended periods..

Cheers,

Gaz.

 

[Flasheart]

Unless you have a DVI connector on the laptop (and I don't know of any that have)

You mean like my G4 Powerbook had 2.5 years ago and still does as i look at it, and the current Mac Book Pro range.

 

[SimonsMerc]

Most laptops can get DVI output via a docking station. Look around for a specific station for your model. Or as Flasheart says, buy a mac laptop ;-) Or even a mac mini - I have a G4 based mini which has DVI output connected to the 50" LG plasma's HDMI input...

-simon

 

[Sp!ke]

... and if the laptop doesnt have the required graphics or sound capabilities, theres always this offering fromn ASUS.

 

[Storm]

Depending on the strength of the wireless signal you may have problems with video playback. I've found that video will play well for some time, but if there's a bit of interferance (for example, a neighbour vacuuming or using the microwave) the video will lose so many frames it becomes unwatchable or you may lose the signal entirely.

I speak from experience as I've got an old Xbox 1 hooked up to my TV which runs Xbox Media Centre software - using this I have full access to all of my downloaded TV programs, movies, music, photos and more - all from my couch (and it was less than £100 too). I tried connecting it via wireless and although it was ok 95% of the time, the 5% it wasn't was really irritating.

So I looked for another solution and now I'm connected via "Ethernet over Mains wiring". Basically you plug in a cable to your mains at one end and another cable at the other and that's it - you've got a super fast, stable connection for about £50.

 

[Carrotchomper]

Thanks for all of the above.

I'm off to PC World (Yuk, boo, spit!) to get hold of a monitor cable and will go from there. Let you know how I get on...

EDIT- Just got back from ******* PC World, and there is no way I am paying their prices for a cable. £100 for a wireless keyboard too. No ta.

With regard to the best connection, I have an S-Video input on my TV, and also an RGB (Monitor) input. I have the same outputs on my PC. Which one is best to use in terms of quality and ease of use?

 

[Carrotchomper]

Update, finally...

I am typing this on my wireless keyboard and are are as pleased as punch! Ended up being a very cheap project- Spent £10 on the video cable and a further £30 (Delivered!) on a very nice keyboard/trackball online. Moving the internet modem was no problem either.

Just a bit of tweaking to do now really, need to rearrange the mains power setup so Ican turn half of the devices off fully to save my already huge electric bill. Also the resolution on the TV/PC needs looking at.

But it works exactly as it should. And looks very cool!

Very happy. Thanks to all for their help...:bannana: