Use my computer as an HTPC and computer

lajo1976 · 2006-03-03, 08:40

Hi, IÂ´m planning to use my computer (that I have upstairs) as an HTPC to my tv downstairs and a standard computer upstairs. My plan is to use an S-video cable to my TV and Remote wonder to control MP.

Is this possible? Can I run MP in the background and control it downstairs with the remote while I use the computer to surf the internet, play games..

I have nvidia graphic card with TV-out. Is it possible to show MP at the TV-out signal and Windows XP on my monitor(DVI)?

/Joakim

Tech Geek · 2006-03-03, 09:28

It's doable to a point.
Running MediaPortal in the background won't work.
Also, long cable runs can reduce video and audio quality.
You would need an RF remote or an IR remote extender.

nekkidtruth · 2006-03-03, 10:34

I have some experience with the nVidia cards with TV-Out or Video-Out so maybe I can shed some light on something for you....

I have tried and tried and tried and I have yet to be able to get the TV to show one thing, and the monitor something else. Even setting the card in dual mode will not allow this. You can certainly move a program window over to either or display and it will show on that individual display, but the second you maximize that window, it takes up both screens. I'm not sure if it's just a setting I'm completely overlooking, or if it's just not possible...

Knowing what you want to do (ignoring the fact that you're on 2 different floors of the house), it is not possible that I know of. This is mainly due to the fact that although it recognizes your TV as a second display device, it doesn't actually act like an individual device.

Anyone here is more then welcome to correct me if I'm wrong, and hopefully explain a way to actually move a window to either display device and have it maximize etc JUST on that one device. If I'm missing something I'd love to hear a way to make that work! It's been driving me nuts

lajo1976 · 2006-03-03, 11:11

If I remember correctly I have watched movies from my computer on TV and have a different screen on my monitor. ItÂ´s seems that if you play a movie on the computer the graphic card automaticly show it on full screen at the TV but is yhis possible with MP?

/Joakim

onkl · 2006-03-03, 11:42

I'm using such a setup, but in one room. It's manageble, but not optimal. I use ultramon as a shortcut to make my TV the primary monitor once MP starts. (I use two monitors, with extend desktop) Further, I use Girder to relay anything from my MCE remote to MP, no matter if it is the foreground app.
It works, but sometimes dialogs of other apps I'm using at the same time pop "under" the MP layer, meaning that you have to guess were those rascals are hiding and clicking on unseen buttons...
Some programs don't seem to like switching monitors while they are running, for unobvious reason notepad always pops up on a non existing third monitor "somewhere" :wink:

Khris · 2006-03-03, 12:59

Would you expect your Tivo to be able to do two things at once?

I know people want to maximize their computer's use, but by trying to force it to do tricks you're creating more hassle and headache for yourself.

Computer parts really aren't that expensive anymore which means you can piece together a decent 2nd computer to use solely as an HTPC (which is what I've done).

I tried using one computer to do both for awhile and it eventually just pissed me off to the point I got a 2nd machine which is now my HTPC 24/7.

Save yourself the headache.

tkortell · 2006-03-03, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khris

Would you expect your Tivo to be able to do two things at once?

I know people want to maximize their computer's use, but by trying to force it to do tricks you're creating more hassle and headache for yourself.

Computer parts really aren't that expensive anymore which means you can piece together a decent 2nd computer to use solely as an HTPC (which is what I've done).

I tried using one computer to do both for awhile and it eventually just pissed me off to the point I got a 2nd machine which is now my HTPC 24/7.

Save yourself the headache.

I'm with Khris on this, it is worth every penny to get a computer for HTPC only.

R / tk

Khris · 2006-03-03, 15:27

As a bit of a follow up (Because I'm sure someone's going to comment on it).....

"Would you expect your Tivo to be able to do two things at once?" I should have written this differently......perhaps "Would you expect your Tivo to act as a computer on a 2nd monitor?"

Essentially what I'm saying is that by trying to get one computer to do HTPC duties, as well as regular computer duties, you're really only getting a 50% experience from each. With that reduction in priorities, you're also getting a reduction in functionality.

Tech Geek · 2006-03-03, 19:56

Ok, I know I said this is only possible to a point but...
I have had some experience forcing an application that expects to run on the primary monitor to run on a secondary monitor.
The only way I can think of where this could consistantly work without dialogs popping up under MediaPortal is by placing Media Portal on the secondary monitor and having that set to the TV out.

We used a two or three head display at work for running remote security camera monitoring software. Most of the software wanted to run on the primary monitor and some couldn't be moved manually.
Here is a brief summary of how I got it to work.
I expanded the desktop to cover multiple monitors (in this case it was up to 3). Then I used an AutoIt script to move the otherwise unmovable app off of the primary display to one of the others. Some apps won't work on anything but the primary monitor btw. A few wouldn't display video anymore. Others try to move back to the primary monitor on certain events.

It might be possible to have a resident program make sure the MediaPortal windows stay on the secondary display but any such program is going to take some CPU time.
I could try to do this with AutoIt and see how well it works. I have a feeling that MediaPortal won't be as easy to do this with.

Khris · 2006-03-03, 22:22

Much easier just to keep things simple and have a dedicated HTPC.

2006-03-03, 08:40	#1 (permalink)
lajo1976 Portal User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Use my computer as an HTPC and computer Hi, IÂ´m planning to use my computer (that I have upstairs) as an HTPC to my tv downstairs and a standard computer upstairs. My plan is to use an S-video cable to my TV and Remote wonder to control MP. Is this possible? Can I run MP in the background and control it downstairs with the remote while I use the computer to surf the internet, play games.. I have nvidia graphic card with TV-out. Is it possible to show MP at the TV-out signal and Windows XP on my monitor(DVI)? /Joakim

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2006-03-03, 09:28	#2 (permalink)
Tech Geek Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's doable to a point. Running MediaPortal in the background won't work. Also, long cable runs can reduce video and audio quality. You would need an RF remote or an IR remote extender.

2006-03-03, 10:34	#3 (permalink)
nekkidtruth Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London, Ontario Canada Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have some experience with the nVidia cards with TV-Out or Video-Out so maybe I can shed some light on something for you.... I have tried and tried and tried and I have yet to be able to get the TV to show one thing, and the monitor something else. Even setting the card in dual mode will not allow this. You can certainly move a program window over to either or display and it will show on that individual display, but the second you maximize that window, it takes up both screens. I'm not sure if it's just a setting I'm completely overlooking, or if it's just not possible... Knowing what you want to do (ignoring the fact that you're on 2 different floors of the house), it is not possible that I know of. This is mainly due to the fact that although it recognizes your TV as a second display device, it doesn't actually act like an individual device. Anyone here is more then welcome to correct me if I'm wrong, and hopefully explain a way to actually move a window to either display device and have it maximize etc JUST on that one device. If I'm missing something I'd love to hear a way to make that work! It's been driving me nuts

2006-03-03, 11:11	#4 (permalink)
lajo1976 Portal User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If I remember correctly I have watched movies from my computer on TV and have a different screen on my monitor. ItÂ´s seems that if you play a movie on the computer the graphic card automaticly show it on full screen at the TV but is yhis possible with MP? /Joakim

2006-03-03, 11:42	#5 (permalink)
onkl Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Wageningen Age: 32 Posts: 340 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	I'm using such a setup, but in one room. It's manageble, but not optimal. I use ultramon as a shortcut to make my TV the primary monitor once MP starts. (I use two monitors, with extend desktop) Further, I use Girder to relay anything from my MCE remote to MP, no matter if it is the foreground app. It works, but sometimes dialogs of other apps I'm using at the same time pop "under" the MP layer, meaning that you have to guess were those rascals are hiding and clicking on unseen buttons... Some programs don't seem to like switching monitors while they are running, for unobvious reason notepad always pops up on a non existing third monitor "somewhere" :wink:

2006-03-03, 12:59	#6 (permalink)
Khris Portal Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 449 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Would you expect your Tivo to be able to do two things at once? I know people want to maximize their computer's use, but by trying to force it to do tricks you're creating more hassle and headache for yourself. Computer parts really aren't that expensive anymore which means you can piece together a decent 2nd computer to use solely as an HTPC (which is what I've done). I tried using one computer to do both for awhile and it eventually just pissed me off to the point I got a 2nd machine which is now my HTPC 24/7. Save yourself the headache.

2006-03-03, 15:27	#8 (permalink)
Khris Portal Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 449 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	As a bit of a follow up (Because I'm sure someone's going to comment on it)..... "Would you expect your Tivo to be able to do two things at once?" I should have written this differently......perhaps "Would you expect your Tivo to act as a computer on a 2nd monitor?" Essentially what I'm saying is that by trying to get one computer to do HTPC duties, as well as regular computer duties, you're really only getting a 50% experience from each. With that reduction in priorities, you're also getting a reduction in functionality.

2006-03-03, 19:56	#9 (permalink)
Tech Geek Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok, I know I said this is only possible to a point but... I have had some experience forcing an application that expects to run on the primary monitor to run on a secondary monitor. The only way I can think of where this could consistantly work without dialogs popping up under MediaPortal is by placing Media Portal on the secondary monitor and having that set to the TV out. We used a two or three head display at work for running remote security camera monitoring software. Most of the software wanted to run on the primary monitor and some couldn't be moved manually. Here is a brief summary of how I got it to work. I expanded the desktop to cover multiple monitors (in this case it was up to 3). Then I used an AutoIt script to move the otherwise unmovable app off of the primary display to one of the others. Some apps won't work on anything but the primary monitor btw. A few wouldn't display video anymore. Others try to move back to the primary monitor on certain events. It might be possible to have a resident program make sure the MediaPortal windows stay on the secondary display but any such program is going to take some CPU time. I could try to do this with AutoIt and see how well it works. I have a feeling that MediaPortal won't be as easy to do this with.

2006-03-03, 22:22	#10 (permalink)
Khris Portal Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 449 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Much easier just to keep things simple and have a dedicated HTPC.