Connect a monitor remotely

[Stemin]

Hi all. I'm not sure where this topic would fit, so I threw it in off topic.

 

Is it possible at all to remotely connect a monitor either wirelessly or some way to run some kind of extension cable?

 

I'm dealing with issues with Oblivion and Skyrim and I can't really play either right now because of gamepad issues. I'm not a keyboard/mouse type player. Anyways... I have my PC hooked up to my 42" HD TV and I love PLAYING games on them, but when I'm working on a game, such as when I'm editing all these files trying to tweak the settings to get these gamepads to work it's really not convenient to sit on the couch and do this with my wireless keyboard and mouse. It would be more comfortable and give me a better sense of focus if I could sit at my desk and do this.

 

I've had limited success using VNC to log in with my laptop and edit stuff, but the VNC program I use isn't terribly stable and sometimes there's a lot of delay.

 

If there was a way I could hook my tower up to both my HD TV and my HP Monitor that would be great. I have them both hooked up right now so I know dual-montior is possible with my video card, but the length of the monitor cord on my HP doesn't even reach the coffee table, let alone the desk in the far corner of the room.

 

Is anyone familiar with some kind of remote monitor system that works well?

 

Thank you for your time.

[Fonger]

this could help

 

1 in - 2 out http://www.amazon.com/splitter-ports-swither-XBOX360-Blu-ray/dp/B003UYOEMI/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1332014696&sr=8-46

 

plug in both and turn off the one not in use

Edited March 17, 2012 by Fonger

[Stemin]

this could help

 

1 in - 2 out http://www.amazon.com/splitter-ports-swither-XBOX360-Blu-ray/dp/B003UYOEMI/ref=sr_1_46?ie=UTF8&qid=1332014696&sr=8-46

 

plug in both and turn off the one not in use

 

My video card already accepts two monitors though... I did see a 50ft HDMI cable under the product categories on that page. That could work I suppose. I'd have to run it under the carpet or something.

[Fonger]

or just search in newegg or amazon for wireless hdmi

 

http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Wireless-Computer-GUWAVKIT2-Gray/dp/B0047E3GJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332017727&sr=8-1

[Stemin]

or just search in newegg or amazon for wireless hdmi

 

http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Wireless-Computer-GUWAVKIT2-Gray/dp/B0047E3GJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332017727&sr=8-1

 

Yeah. I was kinda hoping for someone who could recommend one they use. $105 is well within acceptable bounds for the project, but not if it doesn't work well.

[Fonger]

http://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Wireless-Computer-GUWAVKIT2-Gray/product-reviews/B0047E3GJM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[Vagrant0]

A wireless HDMI... yeah, gonna have to put on my tinfoil hat for that one. Even if I'm not looking at sensitive documents, it feels a bit too exposed. And yes, I know that someone could literally park a van around the corner and pick up both the signals from a wired keyboard and a wired monitor and decode both with acceptable clarity. But that requires a van with equipment about 100 feet from the computer and not too much interference in the area. Wireless just needs a small device to collect and transmit those signals elsewhere.

[bben46]

There are some wireless HDMI reciever/transmitter pairs available. But from what I have seen, they are expensive and may be difficult to work with things like cable boxes or distances greater than about 30 feet

 

Wired (I actually do this) the shorter the cable the better. My HDMI to my big screen is a 25 foot cable run under the floor. At my desk I have a dual 21 inch monitor set up. I don't use the big screen for gaming though, mostly for sports. Works great.

 

Other considerations:

Audio.

While HDMI can carry audio, most computer HDMI outputs don't carry it. So unless you are running a separate audio cable to the TV (or in my case to a sterio amp that feeds a 5.1 speaker system) you will need a way to put the computer audio on the HDMI - I use a box that can add audio to the HDMI.

 

My HDMI actually runs from the computer as separate DVI video and audio outputs into the HDMI combiner box - a single HDMI cable under the floor from Box to Amp. Then HDMI from amp to TV (Amp separates out the audio)

 

Controls:

the mouse/keyboard or game controller will still be attached to the computer. I use a cordless mouse & keyboard - but if I get more than 10 feet away from the computer it becomes unreliable. I have considered an extender cable for the USB dongle to extend the range but haven't actually tried it yet.

 

My problems:

My audio card settings can be a problem. If I set it up to output over fiber optic to the combiner box (one option of several on the box) then later try to use skype, it locks the computer and I have to reboot. If skype starts on boot, it just locks up again - I had so many problems with this I uninstalled skype completely. I have not tried with any other options such as a wired audio out cable to the box but I suspect it has something to do with how skype interacts with my sound card - It expects a wired audio out to a computer type dual speaker only. And if it doesn't get what it wants it throws a tantrum and locks up everything until it gets its way.

 

PM me if you need a source for good quality inexpensive HDMI cables or a source for a combiner box like the one I use.