O.K. all of us (cheap) Happy Campers, I've finally got this PC to TV thing to work! After a lot of dinking around (Incantations, Dances, and consultations with The Ghost of Windows 3.x/95 and the Video Card Wizards) my Computer Angel and I managed to display my Desktop on my (Samsung analog) TV and watch Hulu, AllUC, Show-
tim, et al.
First I had to get into my DSL Router and change the channel it transmits on from Channel 1 to Channel 11. I entered numeric URL into my browser and accessed the router software from there. The URL was something like"192.168.x.x". This was so all my other wireless stuff that transmits on 2.4Ghz didn't interfere with my efforts. Also so that the other stuff would still work. Also get into your Video Card software and set the Refresh to 60.
Then I followed nybucks advice and obtained an older version of the hardware that transmits TV/Audio from my computer. I can't use any other programs simultaneously while I use my computer and monitor to display the video stuff I want to watch. But in order to be able to do this I'd have to buy a bunch of other adapters, and/or another video card. I'm not willing to do either. You're almost ready to go.
The house in which I live was built in 1895. Plumbing and electricity were added as each became available. To make a long story short, no pun intended, there's a lot of uninsulated wiring running through my walls and ceilings. The stray RF waves dancing around through my house kind of make transmitting audio and video challenging, to say the least. More on overcoming this later. For now , I'll describe how to get a picture of your desktop onto your TV.
First of all, you have to get your video card to put out at 640 x 480 resolution. My Computer Angel didn't believe this was possible with the newer video card. Guess what kids, it can be done! You just have to be persistent to discover how to do this. ' Course then you have to change all of your settings on your desktop, but you can do that, right? It's not fun, but you can do it. Just remember when you're fooling around on the web after you change your settings that you can change the size of your browser window (on Google anyway) using "[Control] +/-".
You're almost there. Don't install any software you receive unless you really know what you're doing. It was all written before the days of Plug and Play. Specifically, it was written for Windows 3.x and/or Windows 95. The Wireless Mouse will be functional (with the set up I'm using you don't even need to plug in the Wireless Mouse Receiver, unless you are comfortable having something designed for Windows 95 controlling your motherboard ). You're mouse on you desktop will also be functional.
Now, choose the channel you're transmitter is going to use and set you're receiver to the same channel (Channel "D" works best where I am located). Plug everything in, to both the AC and the computer. Turn the computer and the stuff you've just installed "on". And start trying to figure out how to get the best Audio and Video on your TV.
In my case I had to experiment with the type and combination of AC extension cords I used. Finding out whether it really mattered where, or if, the antennae were oriented. How or whether it mattered which component was actually grounded and how to do so. Some other stuff, too. But I'm out of time.
More as it occurs to me. Enjoy yourself.
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Topic: PC to TV on a budget (Read 30036 times)