Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)
What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

I have my first floor currently torn out back to the studs, so now is
the time to put the wire in.

Ideas

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

I don't know about the cable specs but we have 3+ flat screen monitors
in the lobby of my office that run the same powerpoint presentation so
I believe it can be done. They are all more than 25 feet apart so I
don't think distance will be an issue.

As for burn-in, watch out for burn-in that could occur if you use the
same powerpoint template/background for your slides. The template used
for the powerpoint slides at my office have a red stripe on the left
side of all slides. Even though the text and images in the main area of
the slide are changing, most if not all of the slides have the red
stripe, and the screens show some burn-in from that.

HTH-
Charles



Jack wrote:
I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)
What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

I have my first floor currently torn out back to the studs, so now is
the time to put the wire in.

Ideas

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

In article . com,
says...
I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.

No, but you can easily buy a three (or four) output graphics card,
or install a couple of dual-head capable cards in the PC.

Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)

Depends on the resolution. 25' should be possible, at least at
lower resolutions.

What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

VGA or DVI.

I have my first floor currently torn out back to the studs, so now is
the time to put the wire in.

Ideas

Psychiatric help? ;-)

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

See above! ;-)

--
Keith

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

On 10 Jul 2006 08:52:22 -0700, "Jack" wrote:

I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)
What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

I don't think plasma builders have caught on yet. Mine has VGA input
15Pin connector and limits my connections. I did hook up component
cables and even S-video. The results were not as good a quality as I
expected, but its only VGA.

Some computers; older ones may not work at all, something about
horizontal and vertical frequency scanning (I'm lost there).

HDMI cables are not intended for a PC to plasma on my set. I can do
DVI to VGA from my graphics card and it will support two monitors. Add
another card and you can display four monitors (e-GeForce 7900 GT KO
=$$$). One card broke me.

Good Luck.

Oren

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

Here's a couple of links to interesting products:
http://www.svideo.com/avhub1.html
http://www.thenerds.net/index.php?pa...d=4&pn=GWB4000
http://www.bizrate.com/mediahubs/pid...dia%20hub.html

Maybe not the total answer but food for thought. There active video
hubs that will drive multiple monitors, I installed one for a doctor
friend who wanted to be able to show patients screens of tests away
from the actual computer, and that was over 10 years ago. technology
moves on.

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

Maybe not what you are looking for, but I have a Windows media center
pc that is wireless to a few xbox's in the house (one 360 and two old
xbox's) they all have the media center extender software and I transmit
the video wirelessly to the xbox's.
So far, it works like a champ. You need a honking central PC but old
xbox's aren't that expensive nowadays ($100). Added advantage of mp3
music through the tv's as well. Will also do picture slideshows of
pic's on your media pc. I really recommend it.

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

On 10 Jul 2006 09:55:55 -0700, "The Reverend Natural Light"
wrote:

FWIW:

I have a plasma monitor in the living room along with a good audio
system. A media PC drives the monitor through a DVI cable (the only
way to go - and get a video card that will match the screen's
resolution 1:1).

My DVI from the card adapts to VGA 15 pin, then to plasma 15 pin , if
I use it. I adjusted all the resolution and get the same old analog
video (?).

When I'm not watching a movie, I use Winamp for general music. This
would burn in the screen in a big hurry (even with a screen saver), so
I leave a laptop computer in the kitchen to control the media PC
through a VNC remote desktop connection (I've wired ethernet into every
room, but wireless would work just as well). The plasma screen stays
turned off but I control the PC from the laptop in the kitchen.

The VNC reminded me of what I can do. Actually, I was using a
wireless mouse and key board across the room and it just don't get it,
unless I could boost that somehow...slow at the distance.

Anyways, both screens show the same thing all the time. You could do
this wirelessly, or run some Cat5 while the walls are open. This
involves having a PC at the location of each monitor, which could be a
good or a bad thing. There are some really compact PCs available.

By the way, I've observed so far that burn in on plasma screens seems
to be cumulative. Even with a 1 minute delay on the screen saver, I've
already managed to leave some lasting marks on mine. An LCD is really
more suitable to what you're trying to do.


-rev

Supposedly, each generation of plasma improves upon the burn in issue.
I agree with the LCD, as it won't burn in, at least mine hasn't.

Oren

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

Ask this on:

24hoursupport.helpdesk

Yes, thats a usenet gtoup, and a very informative one.


--
Jim McLaughlin

Reply address is deliberately munged.
If you really need to reply directly, try:
jimdotmclaughlinatcomcastdotcom

And you know it is a dotnet not a dotcom
address.
"Jack" wrote in message
ups.com...
I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)
What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

I have my first floor currently torn out back to the studs, so now is
the time to put the wire in.

Ideas

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

"Jack" wrote in message

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

I'm glad I'm not one of your kids.

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

On 10 Jul 2006 08:52:22 -0700, "Jack" wrote:

I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)
What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

I have my first floor currently torn out back to the studs, so now is
the time to put the wire in.

Ideas

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

Damn !!!!!
I just have to comment and say I think you are extremely whacko...
Anyone that wants a computer screen in every room of the house showing
Power Point really needs help. I used to think people with a tv in
every room were obcessed and deranged, but you have gone way over the
limit. SEEK PSYCHIATRIC HELP..... YOU NEED IT !!!!!

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

Jack wrote:

I will soon purchase a Plasma TV. It will can also act as a computer
screen. I am thinking of taking an old PC CPU and basically loading
it with Power Point and continually run a PP show on the Plasma, and to
2 other Flat Screen displays, one in the kitchen, one in the study.
(burn in not an issue, since it will be constantly changings, screen
life is something I still need to research)

Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.

Yes, but it isn't cheap. Extron makes a very large line of distribution
amps, scan converters and related goodies for such uses.

A much more practical route for home use is to distribute as composite
video over regular RG6 coax. Many video cards have composite outputs
standard, even a lot of motherboards with integrated graphics. AVermedia
makes a line of inexpensive AVerkey scan converters if you don't have a
PC or video card with composite output.

Radio Shack has a few options for low cost distribution amps for
composite video. You can distribute S video for a bit more cost if you
want better quality. You only need to distribute VGA or DVI if you need
to display fine detail at high resolutions and you'll pay out the wazo
to do it.

Can you send that signal a distance (25 feet)

Composite video can readily go 100' from a distribution amp over regular
RG6 coax.

What wire would you use, I do not think I want Coax or RCA Jack,
unless there is a cheap converter from Computer Monitor signal (RGB I
think) to RF for Coax or to RCA Jack.

No cheap converters for such. You need to assess whether you need to
spend $1,500+ to distribute top quality VGA/DVI or whether $50 to
distribute composite or $100 to distribute S would be adequate.

If you need the quality you're probably better off just using separate
$100 used PCs at each location. With appropriate networking you can
control what is displayed on each. Run Linux or similar and you can
treat each as separate Xwindows displays. Indeed with suitable wireless
networking the displays could be portable as well.


I have my first floor currently torn out back to the studs, so now is
the time to put the wire in.

Now is the time to put conduit in. Run 3/4" PVC conduit, or the blue
flex conduit between strategically placed boxes (home run to a media
closet is best) and you can pull whatever you need later and readily
change it later still as needs and technology change.

Pete C.



Ideas

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

"Pete C." writes:
Jack wrote:
Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Yes, but it isn't cheap. Extron makes a very large line of distribution
amps, scan converters and related goodies for such uses.

A much more practical route for home use is to distribute as composite
video over regular RG6 coax.
not as cheap as this excellent solution, but a low end computer
running some free OS and VNC located at each of the locations could do
it as well.

(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)
Sounds fun.... it's a fairly expensive proposition...
since each unit will be drawing power 24/7.

(I was amazed at how much power my amp drew in an idle (no video/no
audio) state. prompted me to start turning it off)
I should really start chasing down various phantom loads in the house.

--
May no harm befall you,
flip
Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
In my email replace SeeEmmYou.EeeDeeYou with CMU.EDU

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

Philip Lewis wrote:

"Pete C." writes:
Jack wrote:
Questions:
Can you easily split a Computer Screen Signal 3 ways.
Yes, but it isn't cheap. Extron makes a very large line of distribution
amps, scan converters and related goodies for such uses.

A much more practical route for home use is to distribute as composite
video over regular RG6 coax.
not as cheap as this excellent solution, but a low end computer
running some free OS and VNC located at each of the locations could do
it as well.

Er, I suggested essentially that already.


(I plan to run family photos on the screens, maybe some motivational
messages, or even countdowns to Christmas, start of school, stuff like
that. Just for fun around the house)
Sounds fun.... it's a fairly expensive proposition...
since each unit will be drawing power 24/7.

(I was amazed at how much power my amp drew in an idle (no video/no
audio) state. prompted me to start turning it off)
I should really start chasing down various phantom loads in the house.

Yep, you can eat up a lot of power with these little 24x365 loads.

Pete C.



--
May no harm befall you,
flip
Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
In my email replace SeeEmmYou.EeeDeeYou with CMU.EDU

Running Mulitple PC monitors around the house
 

"Pete C." writes:
Er, I suggested essentially that already.
whoops... somehow missed it in the first browse of the post. my bad.

Yep, you can eat up a lot of power with these little 24x365 loads.
The Kill-a-watt is fine device. ;)

--
May no harm befall you,
flip
Ich habe keine Ahnung was das bedeutet, oder vielleicht doch?
In my email replace SeeEmmYou.EeeDeeYou with CMU.EDU