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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

I have an old laptop that I have no use for... So, I am going to strip it down to nothing but the OS (winxp), install a wireless card, get an S-video cable, install limewire, itunes, boxee, and whatever other entertainment-centric software I will need, get a good "remote control" app to control the laptop via my iphone... and hook it up to the tv...

Not really anything difficult... Might even drop another tier off the cable package Smile

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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

I used to run my PC as a media server to my TV back in the dorm. The hardest part is getting a good sound setup; I ran audio from my PC to an old stereo I had set up around the TV.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

Since we hook the mac mini up to the tv for movies, and the mini only has a headphone out jack, I have a 2.5mm to component audio cable... and that sound comes through fine... it's not 100db surround or anything, but it's the same as what you'd get from the TV speakers just watching regular programming.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Yeah, that's what I used to. You can also use that to turn anything with speakers into an iPod jukebox.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

So, the wireless card came today for the ancient laptop turned entertainment center... in and of itself, installing a wifi card didn't do anything for the operation of the computer or the apps, per se... but what it DID allow was for me to connect via wifi, install vnc server, and connect my iPhone to the computer.

I downloaded the HippoRemote app for iPhone which turns the touch screen device into a trackpad and keyboard to control your computer. Aside from that, there are a number of "profiles" that are application specific.

Say, for example, you are going to watch something on Boxee. If you select the Boxee profile on your iPhone, the screen turns into a Boxee-specific remote... with "buttons" and functions unique to boxee... the same is true for itunes, windows media player, vlc, and a number of others. This is actually extremely convenient and works seamlessly.

I haven't gotten the S-vid cable yet (it should come this weekend)... so I am still just playing around on the laptop itself... I am concerned about the playback. If I play media from the hard drive (limewired stuff) it plays back just like you'd expect... smooth and quick.

If I stream, and play something in fullscreen, the playback is choppy. This is NOT due to streaming lag, though... because if you scale down the video (like playing youtube videos in "regular" mode) they play fine. They just get choppy when they are full screen. I hope that this is related to the monitor and not to the actual computer's ability to play video and that this problem will go away when connected to the tv... afterall, HDD based video plays fine. hmmmm?

So far, so good... Might be down to basic cable by christmas Smile

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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Might be your choice of media player. Try VLC, free download, infinitely superior to other players.
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