TV in the kitchen

[psycik]

Hi, the wife said today that she wouldn't mind looking at a TV in the kitchen.

The kitchen is about 10m to the gbpvr server - and there is a wireless router right there.

I think I have 3 options.

• An LCD TV with WirelessMVP
  
• An LCD TV with an MVP - maybe wiring issues
  
• Laptop configured as a client - wireless or wired.
  

Some of the pros and cons.

• I've tried using a laptop using EWA in the kitchen and it occasionally stops....I found that using streaming mode was better.
  
• Finding a laptop with a mostly reversible screen - see "Network client" http://mcraenz.googlepages.com/mppvr
  
• Laptop configuration would be smaller for mounting (one power plug required etc)
  
• WirelessMVP reliability?
  

Any thoughts?

[stustunz]

another one laptop with lcd plugged into it so keyboard isnt in the way

[soccerdad]

I put an LCD in the kitchen but then added a computer in the pantry and used it as a GBPVR client. Honestly the main reason I wanted the TV in the kitchen was to be able to find recipies for cooking or quick directions as we are about to go somewhere so a PC was the way to go. I rarely used GBPVR directly in the kitchen. Our living room is right next to the kitchen and wanted to be able to watch what ever is on the living room tv in the kitchen, so I have set the LR system to feed into a modulator. Now I can just set the kitchen tv (or any other tv in the house) to the modulated channel and watch it without any sync issues.

If you do use a PC in the kitchen with the LCD, get one that switches fast between TV and PC inputs. Mine is slow to change and it is kind of a pain.

I am using a BTC keyboard tucked under the counter to control it and to surf.

[ACTCMS]

We've had a TV in the kitchen for over 25 years (obviously not the same actual TV)... Currently have a 14" CRT portable fed by a wired MVP - it sits on a shelf in the pantry cupboard - wiring concealed - WAF very high.

I also use a wireless (54Mbps) laptop (set up as a GBPVR client) in the kitchen - wireless works fine - WAF poor.

Although my wife is probably higher than average on the computer literacy scale, she prefers a 'proper' TV and remote to fiddling about with a mouse and keyboard - when I switched over from an STB to the PVR, it took her all of five mins to figure out the remote on her own.

From my experience, having both is great, but wife would go for the TV/PVR every time...

Alex

[psycik]

another one laptop with lcd plugged into it so keyboard isnt in the way

Yeah I kind of thought that, but the wall mounting of it would be an issue.

I dont have any cabinets that it can be installed into, so it would all have to be wall mounted...

[psycik]

We've had a TV in the kitchen for over 25 years (obviously not the same actual TV)... Currently have a 14" CRT portable fed by a wired MVP - it sits on a shelf in the pantry cupboard - wiring concealed - WAF very high.

I also use a wireless (54Mbps) laptop (set up as a GBPVR client) in the kitchen - wireless works fine - WAF poor.

Although my wife is probably higher than average on the computer literacy scale, she prefers a 'proper' TV and remote to fiddling about with a mouse and keyboard - when I switched over from an STB to the PVR, it took her all of five mins to figure out the remote on her own.

From my experience, having both is great, but wife would go for the TV/PVR every time...

Alex

Why not put a remote on your laptop? I bought my father an MCE remote to hook his laptop to his plasma, seems to work well. Later on you might look at girder etc to get all the gbpvr keys working properly but the base keys i think all work.

[ACTCMS]

Why not put a remote on your laptop? I bought my father an MCE remote to hook his laptop to his plasma, seems to work well. Later on you might look at girder etc to get all the gbpvr keys working properly but the base keys i think all work.

What...! and lose my laptop... :eek:

BTW I've also seen some LCD TVs designed to fit under standard eye level wall mounted cabinets - they swivel back and under when not in use.

I've introduced lots of technology into our home over the years and I've always looked at the WAF right from the planning stage of any project. I generally try to conceal the underlying technology behind a familiar user interface, hence recommending the TV/PVR route.

Alex

[stustunz]

it could go anyway where you onlu need one cable going to the actual tv
or you could just have it on the wall behind the lcd screen shut only 30mm thick
you coulduse a tablet pc how much cash you got

where are you going to put the mvp

[psycik]

i went looking at wall mounts today, and figure you could extend the bolts mounting th wall mount to the tv by an inch or so, and you could put an mvp on there.

Or leave the stand connected and mount the mvp to that - but that's the least preferable option.

[ACTCMS]

i went looking at wall mounts today, and figure you could extend the bolts mounting th wall mount to the tv by an inch or so, and you could put an mvp on there.

Or leave the stand connected and mount the mvp to that - but that's the least preferable option.

Spoken like a true engineer

I know what I want and if it don't fit, I'll hit it with a hammer until it does...

well, that always works fine for me...

Alex

PS I guess that's why I'm good at breaking software...