X10 Community Forum
📝Reviews => X10 Hardware => Entertainment Product Reviews => Topic started by: mr.foutch on February 13, 2010, 09:33:10 PM
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The description of the sender (transmitter) and receiver on this gizmo is innacurate. Input to the tranmitter is limited to 3 RCA jacks and an IR Ext. The receiver is equipped to "output" the signal to the TV with 3 RCA jacks and a composite video nipple. The description of the units included in trhis package is inaccurate (no "S" video socket on either the transmitter or receiver). Be prepared to dink around for a long time trying to hook these components to your PC if you don't own a Radio Shack or have the necessary adapters at hand. And also be advised that the transmitter operates at 240 Ghz, as does your DSL router (view Netflix over a modem connection?), and probably your cordless phone. This can sometimes be worked around by changing the channel that your router transmits over to either of channels 1,2,or 11. Ask an electrician why you shouldn't use any other channel. ' Course then you need to figure out how to get a video signal out of your computer and into the tranmitter. And get the sound from the 1/8" stereo jack on your PC and into the transmitter via 2 RCA plugs. I (still) believe I can do these things. My cordless phones are 900hz. I'll keep you posted.
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.... And get the sound from the 1/8" stereo jack on your PC and into the transmitter via 2 RCA plugs. I (still) believe I can do these things.
I didn't have any trouble... see it on my youtube video... of my youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEXketlI8Ec). Although mine have mostly been used broadcasting my theater videos to the upstairs TV and viewing security cameras on the TV. (see other videos (http://www.youtube.com/suitmanIM))
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I expected to be able to connect my PC to my (stand alone) TV located in another room wirelessly. I wanted to watch Hulu, or alluc.org, or Netflix on my television. I want to have no wires from one room to the next. I want to broadcast from the PC. But I can't get the video from the PC into the transmitter because my video card isn't equipped with RCA sockets (whose is, anymore).
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Did you find out about the terminals after receiving the product?
Perhaps you missed the description on the website that specifically lists the interface terminals only being RCA and coax. http://www.x10.com/promotions/vk82a_wireless_tv_burst_v2.html?IMAGE
r,
eagle
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In order to broadcast your PC using this device, you need either a video card that has a composite video out or a VGA to TV scan converter. Watching TV or video shouldn't be the worst, but if you are thinking that you are going to surf the web on your TV with any kind of clarity forget it. An NTSC composite video signal is 480i at a 4x3 aspect ratio which is a very low resolution (480x360). If you are going to try to take a computer signal with a resolution of even 800x600 ,which is low for computer standards these days, and compress it to a 480x360 picture, you are going to loose a lot of clarity. Imagine compressing an XGA @ 1024x768 image or god forbid a UXGA @ 1600x1200 down to the 480x360. You don't notice this as much with a video image, but anything with defined lines will look terrible.
Bottom line is though that you need to convert the computers higher resolution signal down to the NTSC signal level.
Hope that puts some of it into perspective a little
Dan B.
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Here's an option for you.
PC to TV converter:
http://sewelldirect.com/pc-to-tv.asp
You'd also need this for audio.
http://sewelldirect.com/35mm-Mini-Stereo-to-Dual-RCA-RW-Cable-12-ft.asp
So, you'd connect the laptop VGA out to the converter and then the RCA out from the converter to the x10 Video transmitter.
For audio, you'd connect the cable mini-stereo cable to RCA from the laptop to the converter. Then the RCA out from the converter to the x10 Video transmitter.
r,
eagle
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no "S" video socket on either the transmitter or receiver
Maybe he has a PC s-video on his laptop... I do. http://sewelldirect.com/S-Video-to-RCA-Composite-Video-and-Audio-Adapter-Designed-for-S-Video-PC-Video-Cards.asp
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^^
There you go!
Get something like this plus the cable for the audio and you should be good to go.
r,
eagle
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Ya know people, these suggested "work around" ideas are appreciated. I didn't buy this thing with the expectation that I'd need to do any dinking around. Or spend any more money to get what I want. The fix I'd like to have is to obtain the code I need to get my video card (ATI Radeon Express 200) to output through a USB port. I've already purchased a USB to 3 RCA cord from DinoDirect. I know how to configure a few different fixes. It's good to hear from others about their ideas. But I'd hoped to do this for <$100. I mean, if I wanted to spend more I would have just gone to Best Buy and bought a Netgear Push 2 for $100 and been done with it.
And the thing that I paid for was advertised thus: http://www.x10.com/promotions/ur86a_ed_sender_0821_v2.html
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You have reason for your displeasure.
That webpage does say "Just hook the tiny sender to your PC with some RCA or S-Video cables." intimating that the video sender accommodates Svideo.
Well, the manual shows and makes no mention of Svideo.
ftp://ftp.x10.com/pub/manuals/vk82a-om.pdf
Hope you find a workable solution though, x10 or not.
r,
eagle
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Thanks Eagle
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perhaps it's time to send it back?
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The fix I'd like to have is to obtain the code I need to get my video card (ATI Radeon Express 200) to output through a USB port. I've already purchased a USB to 3 RCA cord from DinoDirect.
Wait a minute... USB.... or HDMI? If you have an HDMI/DVI... "digital output" your not going to be able to wirelessly send that via the sender/receivers. The RCA connections on the sender/receivers are analog only.
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I've already purchased a USB to 3 RCA cord from DinoDirect.
I looked at the cables that DinoDirect has and none of them will do what you need. You need one of two things.
- A different video card that has a composite video output signal like this one from TigerDirect (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4104561&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE). If you get a different video card for your computer, you should see what kind of card slots you have available (AGP, PCI, PCI-e, etc...) to know what kind of video card to get. With computers that have video built into the system board, this can get a little tricky to set up.
- Or a VGA to TV scan converter like this one from SwellDirect (http://sewelldirect.com/pc-to-tv.asp). This is probably your easiest option. This one has a place to plug your monitor in so that you don't need to buy a video splitter or Y cable. Just plug it in between your monitor and your PC and plug your video for the TV into the yellow RCA port.
These are really your only two options unless there is some company that is selling some kind of USB device that will send your video signal to your TV, but I haven't found one. You will still need the mini headphone to red and white RCA cable to connect to your sound card for the audio though.
The cable that you bought from DinoDirect should be sent back. If they told you it would work, they are wrong. What you want to do is not difficult, you just need the right equipment.
Hope that helps a bit
Dan B.
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Hmmmmm. Very interesting. Thanks folks, I'll probably send it back and get a unit that I can truly just "Plug and Play". There are a few such transmitters I've seen that are in my price range. X10 has already anticipated this. They already sent me an RMA#.
If anyone can think of a less expensive solution than a $30 VGA adapter in the next few days, please let me know.
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The $30 one is the less expensive one.
Dan
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Then again...... It seems like most of the other systems have system requirements that restrict, further, my ability to utilize them. Such as needing a faster processor than I have in my machine here. Or Windowa 7 for an OS. My "Computer Angel", the guy who knows a whole lot more than I, tells me he can install a video card w/an S Video output for about $40. And I can get an S Video to RCA converter from DinoDirect for $5.
Everyone who follows me in this endeavour should know, going in, that they'll probably have to set the channel that their router uses to channel1, or 2, or 11. And know where to find all of the workaround stuff. I'll keep ya posted concerning my progress.
Some of these other "wireless PC to TV" interfaces I've seen advertised (Netgear's Plus 2, et al) are already equipped to pluck an audio and video signal from a USB port. But I can't seem to figure out how to do this.
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How about this?
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11515142&cm_mmc=BCEmail_FebMailer-_-Focus-_-10-_-CablesUnlimited
Connects pc to tv Via Wireless USB to HDMI or VGA; supports both video and audio.
r,
eagle
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WOW! Thanks Eagle. This is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for. I'm almost overbudget on this project right now (I was trying to be the first one on my block). I sure wish I'd seen this before I spent all that money at X-10. This CostCo set-up costs around $70 more than I've spent. But if it's truly plug and play it would be worth it to me. As it is, I'm going to be buying a new video card and S Video to RCA adapter when I can. My Computer Guru says he'll sell me the video card at his cost and install it for me.
Of course the question remains whether my processor will work with this set-up. I'll keep tou posted.
(Bye the bye, I'm trying to pluck the audio/video from a EMachines T3516 w/an ATI Radeon 2000 video card.
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I JUST RECEIVED MY AUDIO/VIDEO SENDER TODAY. i EXPECTED IT WOULD PLUG AND PLAY FROM MY PC TO THE TV. I DONOT KNOW WHY I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE THAT EASY. MY PC ONLY HAS RCA INPUT PORTS. I READ SOMEWHERE HERE ABOUT COMPOSITE VIDEO OUTPUT, WHICH MY PC HAS BUT HOW WOULD THIS HOOK UP TO THE RCA END OF THE SENDER?
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Why not try it?
BTW, no need to yell .. re all caps.
r,
eagle
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I READ SOMEWHERE HERE ABOUT COMPOSITE VIDEO OUTPUT, WHICH MY PC HAS BUT HOW WOULD THIS HOOK UP TO THE RCA END OF THE SENDER?
If your PC has composite RCA output (like the little yellow video plug used with VCRs and DVD players) that will/should work fine for video. You may need to make changes in your output settings in "control panel". The audio output you'll likely need to grab from your audio out (what is used for PC speakers). The cables needed for that are the mini stereo jack to (2) red and white RCA plugs.
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I don't know what you mean by a "composite video output", but go to DinoDirect.com to look for all your adapters. And if your video card won't output to a "TV", you're gonna probably need an adapter, too. Don't forget to change the channel your 2.4 Ghz router transmits over to channel 1,2, or 11. Good luck and godspeed.
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Everyone who can afford to spend more than $60 oughta check out the set up offered at the Costco link that Eagle provided.
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Another option is the "Big Picture" kit I previously posted. http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=19653.0 (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=19653.0)
It was $19.99. It comes with a remote mouse kit and the VGA to RCA adapter, as well as the wireless video sender and receiver. It's the older (and I think better) model.
Here's the link. I believe it is still available.
http://www.x10.com/promotions/x10_mystery_fun_bags_2.html#tv (http://www.x10.com/promotions/x10_mystery_fun_bags_2.html#tv)
Add it to your cart, then click "What's included" in your cart.
>!
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#:) Great! Thanks very much NYBuck. Just what I'm looking for. And less expensive, too! Now I'll check into a refund on this stuff I have. Maybe then I'll have what I want. It's unbelievable that this isn't more well known. Thanks again.
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Yes navigating the X10 web site can find the samething in a deal cheaper than the regular price on a different page.
I have seen the Icon RF remote for two different prices on the same day in two different areas.
So folks. Do a Thorough Search when buying something.
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:)% :' Great Advice Brian (if you don't mind my assumption). As I mentioned earlier, I couldn't find the ad that to which responded the day after I'd made my order. And when it reappeared the wording was different, though still misleading. And the price was $10.00 less. O.k., maybe I've gone overboard w/the avatars, but they are prety amusing; yes, no?
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You're all very welcome. >!
There's nothing I hate more than placing my order and seeing the same item for half the price the next day. B:(
Just so we're all getting the right thing, it's the TV Lover Mystery Fun Bag and it includes:
1 Big Picture Kit, 1 Lola Remote, 1 Mouse Remote Kit $19.99
Quite the deal - get 'em while you can!
>!
Oh, and Mr. Foutch - :)% You can never have too many smilies!! ;D
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>*< B:( EEHHHH FFFFFFFFFKKKKKKKK My Big Picture kit arrived today, ~8 days in transit after I'd paid for it. Pieces are missing. My video card needs to be able to put out at 640 X 480 resolution (it doesn't). Dammit, I'm getting sick of this #@&*%)!. The enclosed software is on a floppy designed to work w/ Windows 3.x or Windows 95. Who's got a f/$(&@!^ 'n floppy drive anymore. I'm running Windows XP.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
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>*< B:( EEHHHH FFFFFFFFFKKKKKKKK My Big Picture kit arrived today, ~8 days in transit after I'd paid for it. Pieces are missing. My video card needs to be able to put out at 640 X 480 resolution (it doesn't). Dammit, I'm getting sick of this #@&*%)!. The enclosed software is on a floppy designed to work w/ Windows 3.x or Windows 95. Who's got a f/$(&@!^ 'n floppy drive anymore. I'm running Windows XP.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
OK - Take a deep breath. :'
The floppy was not necessary for me. I believe it allows the remote mouse to work on older versions of Windows. Windows XP recognized the remote mouse as a serial mouse and installed it on its own. As far as your display not allowing 640x480, I am at a loss there. I've got some old and [what I consider] new computers and they all seem to start in 640x480, until Windows boots and set the resolution higher. I believe you can get 640x480 resolution SOMEHOW - Maybe a Google search is in order.
At any rate, any combination of video cards, adapters, etc you buy - at any price - will need low resolution to display on a TV - other than an HDTV, as I found out. Tube TV's are really low resolution, and show video well, but don't expect to read text.
I hope it works out for you.
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UPDATE: I just received word that Mr. Foutch got everything worked out. :)%
Another satisfied X10 wireless audio/video customer! ;D
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I tried the link provided by eagle for the costco product. The item # is listed as "not available". Does anyone know the name of the product or any other info that would help me find it so I can figure out which is my best option?
Thanks
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I tried searching Costco for a wireless video sender and there are none. My best guess is that they no longer carry the product.