New install.

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Discussion

br d

Original Poster:

8,580 posts

232 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
I'm having new TV's, speakers, processors etc installed all over the house next week, all controlled by those little touch screen things. I'm not very clear on how it all works but I do have a couple of questions.
I've recently bought an Alienware laptop with the intention of integrating it into the whole system so I can sit in the front room and browse the web on the telly, the installers are going to fit me a panel with HDMI and composite sockets so I can plug into it. Is this the best way to do this? Can I buy a separate PC and use it to link my laptop into the system wirelessly, a media PC perhaps?
The processor they are fitting has up-scaling so does this mean I could play games on the laptop and watch it on the big telly?

Also, I am going to buy a console for the front room, which one would work best with a big telly? I was thinking of a PS3, don't know a thing about consoles though.

I know the obvious answer is ask the installers (they are a very professional company who do work all over the world) but I always get lost when they start explaining stuff. Views from some actual users would be appreciated.




headcase

2,389 posts

223 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
I cant fly a helecopter...... so i didnt buy one.

br d

Original Poster:

8,580 posts

232 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
headcase said:
I cant fly a helecopter...... so i didnt buy one.
Nor can I, so I just tied it to a peg in the back garden and left it running.

bananapieface

403 posts

180 months

Saturday 5th December 2009
quotequote all
I run all my media through a hacked apple TV, then stream from laptop, iphone, ipod touch or take stuff from USB hard disk.

Took a while to build I did post a bit on here but got told to 'get a life' so I don't bother now.


Mattt

16,663 posts

224 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
quotequote all
Plugging it in is one option, and is what I use. My Laptop sits on the TV shelf and I use a wireless keyboard and mouse to use it on the TV - probably easiest. Could be messy if you wanted to walk around with laptop with trailing cables.

Buying a PC to control another seems a bit silly to me, but you could rig up remote desktop or a thin client type system perhaps - but I'd stick with above personally.

Console choice is a personal thing - one advantage with the PS3 is Bluray, but I assume you've already got one with your setup. Choose the one you like the games on, or just buy both! Xbox is supposed to be better for online gaming (but you pay a yearly fee). I've got a 360 and am happy with it, Forza 3 and COD MW2 wink




willd58

1,559 posts

214 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
quotequote all
Mattt said:
Plugging it in is one option, and is what I use. My Laptop sits on the TV shelf and I use a wireless keyboard and mouse to use it on the TV - probably easiest.
Probably your best option

br d

Original Poster:

8,580 posts

232 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
quotequote all
Cheers, I have been trawling about a bit and I think I will plug in and get a wireless mouse/keyboard, or possibly bluetooth. Any you can recommend?

Mattt

16,663 posts

224 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
What's your budget?

I use a Logitech Air MX mouse at work, it's quite good in that you can use it in the air, not only on surfaces.

br d

Original Poster:

8,580 posts

232 months

Monday 7th December 2009
quotequote all
Mattt said:
What's your budget?

I use a Logitech Air MX mouse at work, it's quite good in that you can use it in the air, not only on surfaces.
Oooh I like that! Just watched a review. Do you use a wireless keyboard with it?

Mattt

16,663 posts

224 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Yeah another Logitech one - black finished with aluminium and a small trackpad on it - hidden orange lights for everything.

br d

Original Poster:

8,580 posts

232 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Cheers Matt, the install will be complete by the end of the week so I'm treating myself to a these very things at the weekend, it's the spirit of christmas.

Driller

8,310 posts

284 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
br d said:
I'm having new TV's, speakers, processors etc installed all over the house next week, all controlled by those little touch screen things. I'm not very clear on how it all works but I do have a couple of questions.
I've recently bought an Alienware laptop with the intention of integrating it into the whole system so I can sit in the front room and browse the web on the telly, the installers are going to fit me a panel with HDMI and composite sockets so I can plug into it. Is this the best way to do this? Can I buy a separate PC and use it to link my laptop into the system wirelessly, a media PC perhaps?
The processor they are fitting has up-scaling so does this mean I could play games on the laptop and watch it on the big telly?

Also, I am going to buy a console for the front room, which one would work best with a big telly? I was thinking of a PS3, don't know a thing about consoles though.

I know the obvious answer is ask the installers (they are a very professional company who do work all over the world) but I always get lost when they start explaining stuff. Views from some actual users would be appreciated.
What make is the multiroom system out of interest? Are the touchscreens from the same company or are they Crestron or AMX or such like?