using MP on my TV (1 Viewer)

[skaterpunk9063]

hi, first post on this forum, just learning the software, seems like it could be very usefull


okay, onto the technical side of things.

what i want to do is be able to use MP on my tv (which is in my loungeroom)
while still maintaining full PC functionality (in my room)

as my family tends to watch movies, while i use the PC (or even watch movies on my PC)
i will have most of the data stored on a external 4 disk enclosure, attatched via USB to the PC


i figure i need to buy a remote (which is best/best for a budget)
and how do i actually go about setting this up?

any help will be greatly appreciated

regards.

 

[2BitSculptor]

I wouldn't know if this is correct, as I have a dedicated HTPC for media portal.

Using a second monitor in another room (If your PC supports 2 monitors) is do-able. but not very efficient. You would have focus issues between the two rooms. While you are using the pc, the viewers watching MP may not be able to control MP, until focus is returned to MP, or if they steal focus while you are working on some other program, you may not like the results.

I would recommend picking up a good quality mini computer to use as a dedicated MP HTPC and set up a network to share your media. There are some good discussions on what to buy and how to set them up in the Hardware section of the forum.

- Chuck

 

[skaterpunk9063]

cant find the hardware section your speaking of

a mini computer seems fine, how much do these costs? cheap is good at this moment.


thanks for the info, and yeah, toyed with dual monitors, definately not the way to go.

 

[fripsy]

Hi skaterpunk9063 and welcome to the community,

As 2BitSculptor already mentioned, a dedicated pc is the way to go, dual screens will not work in practice.

The hardware you need, depends on what you want to do with it.
You could start off with a cheap pc if you only want to show movies, pictures, play music, but... after a while you will want to watch television with it also...

Nowadays almost every desktop pc is powerful enough to get you started (mine wasn't even 300 euros).
As for a remote, I would recommend the Microsoft MCE, which has native support in MP, or buy a cheap HaupPauge TV PCI-card with remote included...

Cheers,
Fripsy

 

[2BitSculptor]

Look for the tab above labeled HTPC Hard/Software

-Chuck