Media center dual screen question.
Discussion
I want to replace all my dated black boxes in the corner of my living room with a spangly media center pc. I want to do away with a video, dvd player and a sky box, but i'll be keeping the surround sound amp. I was going to buy a Sony RDR 710 thingy ma bobby with the built in freeview but at £500 it's a bit pricey.
So I was thinking of a media pc, but I use a projector as a TV and don't actually have a normal TV so I don't really want to fire up the projector just to see what music I'm putting on. This got me thinking about a small touchscreen monitor to do all the menu stuff with the video output going to the projector.
I don't want to watch movies on the small monitor and I don't want to use the big screen to control menu's. Would this be possible?
So I was thinking of a media pc, but I use a projector as a TV and don't actually have a normal TV so I don't really want to fire up the projector just to see what music I'm putting on. This got me thinking about a small touchscreen monitor to do all the menu stuff with the video output going to the projector.
I don't want to watch movies on the small monitor and I don't want to use the big screen to control menu's. Would this be possible?
Have you got a pocket PC pda?
If so then this remote control software for MCE may be just the ticket, infact you may even be able to pick up a pda for less than a touchscreen...
www.rudeo.com/mce.htm
If so then this remote control software for MCE may be just the ticket, infact you may even be able to pick up a pda for less than a touchscreen...
www.rudeo.com/mce.htm
Just the case, yes.
May be able to do a bit better than that, drop me a line if you are interested and I'll make some calls.
You could go for something like the Viewsonic 701 which is a tablet which runs CE.NET 4.2 and the Remote Desktop Client. It would be a slightly more flash but slightly more money and a bit more flexible down the line. Effectively a big flash remote control.
May be able to do a bit better than that, drop me a line if you are interested and I'll make some calls.
You could go for something like the Viewsonic 701 which is a tablet which runs CE.NET 4.2 and the Remote Desktop Client. It would be a slightly more flash but slightly more money and a bit more flexible down the line. Effectively a big flash remote control.
Found the website. I just need a nice looking case that'll fit on the shelves of the unit, then one of these babies sitting on the top glass shelf.
That rudeo software would be ideal as a remote control function of the set-up.
So basically, that's the monitor and remote taken care of, just the case and the original question of will media center support the twin screens with the menu going to the little one and the TV/DVD/Movies going to the projector.
>> Edited by Byff on Wednesday 4th January 11:02
That rudeo software would be ideal as a remote control function of the set-up.
So basically, that's the monitor and remote taken care of, just the case and the original question of will media center support the twin screens with the menu going to the little one and the TV/DVD/Movies going to the projector.
>> Edited by Byff on Wednesday 4th January 11:02
OriginAE X11 is about the best looking.
Same case as the X15e but without the touchscreen
Dont know how much off the top of my head though, can find out.
But if you want a standard HTPC there are loads about, the X11 is the best looking though.
You may struggle finding that LinITX device in the UK.
Same case as the X15e but without the touchscreen
Dont know how much off the top of my head though, can find out.
But if you want a standard HTPC there are loads about, the X11 is the best looking though.
You may struggle finding that LinITX device in the UK.
Byff said:
just the case and the original question of will media center support the twin screens
I don't think you can split the menu out from the display...but do you really need it to? Surely if you have the projector powered up then you'll use the standard mce remote to navigate the system from the couch. With the projector off, you'd use your 'rudeo' remoting software thingy to control the MCE for audio playback through your surround setup....or am I missing something?
I'm thinking the HV7 case might be more suitable for me, all my connections are from the rear, no need for a front panel and it saves me $100.
I think it might be a better option to do away with the LCD screen and just use the pda. It's just that I had this idea in my head that it was going to look fantastic sitting in the corner of my room.
It does mean that the cost has come down significantly
The wife will be please.
I think it might be a better option to do away with the LCD screen and just use the pda. It's just that I had this idea in my head that it was going to look fantastic sitting in the corner of my room.
It does mean that the cost has come down significantly
The wife will be please.Plotloss said:
PDA RDP client isnt great, lots of scroll bars but it will work.
Just when I though I could start pricing it up.
OK, so I'm back to the beginning.
Also found out that the rudeo uses WiFi or bluetooth, both of which my pda hasn't got.
So far, all I've got is a case
>> Edited by Byff on Wednesday 4th January 11:26
MCE multi monitor restrictions
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830851
article for 2004 but same for 2005 apparently
ATI Have some monitor control stuff built into the drivers (hydravision i think) as do nvidia sort of profile type stuff. I have never needed to use this as I only need extended desktop so I don't know how configurable or powerful it is but worth a google.
If the displays are of the same resolution you can clone one screen to the other so that you can access stuff on both (if the other is switched off it doesn't matter)
or if you need separate resolutions or just don't want to clone then you might want to try this
www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830851
article for 2004 but same for 2005 apparently
ATI Have some monitor control stuff built into the drivers (hydravision i think) as do nvidia sort of profile type stuff. I have never needed to use this as I only need extended desktop so I don't know how configurable or powerful it is but worth a google.
If the displays are of the same resolution you can clone one screen to the other so that you can access stuff on both (if the other is switched off it doesn't matter)
or if you need separate resolutions or just don't want to clone then you might want to try this
www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/
Thanks Byff!
Inspired by this thread I went off and chopped in my SE P910i symbian phone for an O2 XDA Mini S Pocket PC phone to get better integration with my Media Center setup.
I have downloaded the trial version of the Rudeo control, and so far it seems to do exactly what it says on the tin. Obviously, navigating a large music collection is more difficult on a small screen than the main PC screen, but it is all perfectly usable and nice and quick using WiFi.
In addition to that I have downlowded a media center extension called MyTVtogo. This plugs into the main Media Center front end and at the click of a button or two on the MCE remote will compress down any recorded tv to a size suitable for the XDA and copy it directly to the device. I watched an episode of the Simpsons on the train this morning (and got plenty of funny looks as I chortled away to myself) . I've just ordered a 1Gb storage card to allow for more content.
Onward the Revolution!
Matt
Inspired by this thread I went off and chopped in my SE P910i symbian phone for an O2 XDA Mini S Pocket PC phone to get better integration with my Media Center setup.
I have downloaded the trial version of the Rudeo control, and so far it seems to do exactly what it says on the tin. Obviously, navigating a large music collection is more difficult on a small screen than the main PC screen, but it is all perfectly usable and nice and quick using WiFi.
In addition to that I have downlowded a media center extension called MyTVtogo. This plugs into the main Media Center front end and at the click of a button or two on the MCE remote will compress down any recorded tv to a size suitable for the XDA and copy it directly to the device. I watched an episode of the Simpsons on the train this morning (and got plenty of funny looks as I chortled away to myself)
. I've just ordered a 1Gb storage card to allow for more content. Onward the Revolution!
Matt
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