Connect PC or PC's to multiple televisions throughout a house

TheBlueRaja · 25-03-2008, 16:41

Hi All,
I have a couple of PC's which i would like to be able to keep in a cupboard somewhere but have access to them via a flatscreen in the Kitchen or the Living room etc.

Key to this would be to be able to control the devices by using Mouse / Keyboard which would allow Internet Access etc from these locations.

Whats the best way of doing this? I have Wireless access throughout the house and have 1 Ethernet port available at each location via a ethernet over powerline adapter (which also doubles up as my Wireless access points).

Is it as simple as a couple of Ethernet KVM's connected to some type of central switch box next to the PCs?

Or is there a cheaper / easier way of doing this that im missing?

Thanks

**Rob** · 25-03-2008, 17:17

Would the flat screen have it's own PC that it is directly connected to. If so just access the PC's using remote destop or a VNC type solution.

TheBlueRaja · 25-03-2008, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Would the flat screen have it's own PC that it is directly connected to. If so just access the PC's using remote destop or a VNC type solution.

No, im hoping to only have the flatscreen, Keyboard and Mouse in the room that the TV is in.

I also want to be able to access the same computer from multiple rooms.

For example, the PC's are in a cupboard, a telly in the Living room and a telly in the Kitchen.

I want to be able to connect to any one of the two PC's in the cupboard and have the display on any one of the TV's.

**David F** · 25-03-2008, 18:00

confusing question dude. Are the tvs crt or lcd/plasma if the latter you wont need a monitor. If they are crt you could distribute them via composite switch . each pc could have a kvm x2 one ps2 one usb to split to 2 locations however it all seems a bit of a pain in the ass. If they are lcd with dsub or dvi each gfx should give 2 outputs if new enough to get images to 2 tvs each

TheBlueRaja · 25-03-2008, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

confusing question dude. Are the tvs crt or lcd/plasma if the latter you wont need a monitor. If they are crt you could distribute them via composite switch . each pc could have a kvm x2 one ps2 one usb to split to 2 locations however it all seems a bit of a pain in the ass. If they are lcd with dsub or dvi each gfx should give 2 outputs if new enough to get images to 2 tvs each

Hmm, one will be a plasma (with HDMI, VGA, Composite, Component and Scart but no DVI although i think im correct in saying i can get a DVI to HDMI cable) and the other will be an LCD and as i don't have it yet it will have whatever connection it needs.

Looks like KVM's are the only way forward though and yes, its a pain in the ass, you would have thought this would be easy these days.

Hom3r · 25-03-2008, 21:30

You could try this?

Linksys Kiss1600-UK
Media Player (Â£150)

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...amp=3383914103

---------- Post added at 21:30 ---------- Previous post was at 21:29 ----------

Plus its wireless

**David F** · 25-03-2008, 21:46

easiest way would be to make both pcs as close to the same as you can and just have one pc for each tv

TheBlueRaja · 25-03-2008, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

easiest way would be to make both pcs as close to the same as you can and just have one pc for each tv

Actually that's incorrect, the easiest way would be not to bother because its looking too difficult.

**David F** · 25-03-2008, 22:21

Hows about connecting 1 pc via dsub and dvi on gfx to both tvs .ps2 mouse and keyboard to one room usb mouse and keyboard to the other then just run a crossover cable between the 2 pcs and network them then both pcs are available to both rooms

tmboyce · 18-05-2008, 01:26

Wow, what backward thinking. I have been considering the best way to do this also. KVM devices seem like backward technology steps in this case. I too want a central PC with some remote keyboard/mouse access to the central PC/media machine. Now this doesn't make the PCs manufacturers, or Microsoft as much money - but it make perfect sense. Check out http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/...e_keyboard.asp
This is a start, but it needs to be extended somehow to any TV in the house, I can see running virtual machines on a powerful central PC, with each TV having it own keyboard and mouse.

Smilie · 18-05-2008, 07:43

well the easiest way i can think of is
getting the PC connected to a box (VCR??) which has scart in and RF out (stardard aerial)
and then have the RF to boosters splitters or whatever you call them
that connect to the TVs you want
and for controls
does these TV link work with windows media remote controls???

but with this the image quailty would be very bad
but its the easiest way i can think of for me if i want to do it (as my home has similar setup for SAT)

Halcyon · 18-05-2008, 10:02

For inspiration or just to say Wow! take a look at what this guy did.
Looks really good:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690644

**Graham M** · 18-05-2008, 10:59

wow.

Druchii · 18-05-2008, 11:03

Wow! Ideas for my own place... Sweet.

I was always pretty good at woodworking too, so, i guess it could be done. (No crude jokes thanks!) I made the strongest wooden bridge in our year out of mdf, so, who knows what i'll be doing in a few years to get my place looking that good.

TheBlueRaja · 18-05-2008, 12:05

Wow!