GBPVR direct to TV

[Lindsay]

A friend asked me about the viability of watching photos etc directly from the vga socket of his Sony Bravia LCD TV. He wants to house a server behind the wall that his TV is mounted on. So, no problem with vga cable length. The router is also there so no problem with a network connection.

Controlling the GBPVR functions is the problem. Or maybe it isn't! He was wondering about a radio mouse?? Would this work through a plaster wall? Is there a good IR solution if the receiver could be 'seen' from the lounge?

I am sure you guys have some good ideas for him!

TIA.

[stustunz]

bluetooth mouse
i have dINovo edge keyboard really good for the lounge has a scroll pad like laptop on it but it was $300
if you only go for normal wireless keyboard going through a wall they dont work so well
or if its directoly behind you could get a mce remote and run the reciever cable through the wall (its about 2m long) they are really good remotes for $60
if he did the usb cable through the wall he could run a usb hub and add other usb devices later ($20 for usb hub)

[j3flight]

If he's worried about distance with an RF mouse/keyboard, just get a Bluetooth USB adapter for the computer behind the wall and get a bluetooth keyboard/mouse. The proprietary RF devices are usually cheaper, but they have a MUCH shorter range in my experience.

I have a cheapie bluetooth keyboard/mouse at work that works perfectly at 40 feet - with a pane of glass and a number of desks in between.

[j3flight]

Ok, he beat me.

[whurlston]

Could also get an MCE IR keyboard and use a fisheye reciever. No "mouse" but the keyboard has a mouse stick (mini joystick).

[flyswatta]

Is there a good IR solution if the receiver could be 'seen' from the lounge?

Yes, if the receiver is visible, then there is software to handle this sort of thing. I have an MCE remote/receiver and use HIP software (freeware). This allows me to control any function in GBPRV via the remote. Just plugging in the reciever worked with me on XP Pro - the system automatically recognized it and GBPVR worked with basic functionality (I needed to map additional buttons, which is why I used HIP). Another free software is EventGhost. See the wiki for more info on HIP or EventGhost.

[soccerdad]

A friend asked me about the viability of watching photos etc directly from the vga socket of his Sony Bravia LCD TV. He wants to house a server behind the wall that his TV is mounted on. So, no problem with vga cable length. The router is also there so no problem with a network connection.

Controlling the GBPVR functions is the problem. Or maybe it isn't! He was wondering about a radio mouse?? Would this work through a plaster wall?

I have exactly this solution in my kitchen. I use the BTC RF keyboard to control the PC that is in my pantry. It will work from across the room, or even upstairs in the room directly above the PC. Works great for me. I also can surf the net and get recipes for cooking. The GBPVR install is a client and it works fine.

[Lindsay]

Thanks, guys, for the helpful suggestions. Looks like a goer for sure.