Looking to some help on setting up my HTPC to be 100% functional. I build all my own computers and am pretty good with electronics, but these issues have me stumped.
First let me describe the setup:
Basically I have my main computer in my bedroom which has a hdmi 28" lcd as my main display, 2.1 speakers through analog for audio, wired keyboard + mouse. I do all my browsing/gaming/music listening my bedroom.
Now on the other side of the wall is my man cave so to say. It houses my audio receiver, 5.1 speakers, 50" plasma, and 180 gallon saltwater fish tank in wall (bragging I know
)
So from my computer in my room I ran a hdmi cable to the man cave in to the receiver input with the hopes of using the computer to play my media directly to the tv. My graphics card is a gtx 670.
Now I am able to watch movies from the computer to the tv, but it require some tweaking/round about way of doing it as outlined below and is why I'm here for some help.
The problems:
1. Audio:
Right now if I want to watch a movie from my computer to my tv I have to switch the audio output. I do this by going to Start > Control Panel > Sound > I then have to right click on my tv and set it as default device. (This will then play the sound only through the receiver). Now when I am done watching a movie in order to use my computer for gaming or music I have to go back to Sound option and right click and set "Speakers" as the default device.
I was thinking of setting up a macro to run through the clicks for me. Unless there is a way to have windows detect when the receiver is on to switch to that as default device for audio. The receiver is only on if I am watching a movie in that room.
2. Video:
Now on to the video issue if I try to set my multiple monitors as duplicate the whole desktop/start menu does not properly fit on my TV screen at 1920 x 1080. I tried switching through the resolutions with no luck.
What I do now is I have windows setup to extend these displays. To watch a movie now what I need to do is open VLC player and win + shift + right arrow to put the video player onto my tv. Then I have to right click in the video player and set it to full screen.
This is a major Pita. I'd prefer just to duplicate the desktop to the tv so I can see everything I'm doing and just have full control of the system from there.
Now right now I only have a wired keyboard in my bedroom, but what I ordered tonight is a Logitech Mini PC Dinovo Keyboard and 10 ft usb extension cable. I figure with the extension cable I can run that to the room and put the Bluetooth dongle there. This should eliminate any distance/through the wall issues.
3. Media Management:
Right now I have a media library of around 300+ movies backed up onto my pc and around 30 different television shows ranging in season size. I attempted to use "MyMovies" as an easy way to catalog/select the movie, but it is a bit slow/non responsive at times. Any recommendations for software to make picking a movie/show to watch easier from my catalog is appreciated.
Well I hope the fine community can help me with this and any additional details/questions that need to be answered I will do my best.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the help in advance!
First let me describe the setup:
Basically I have my main computer in my bedroom which has a hdmi 28" lcd as my main display, 2.1 speakers through analog for audio, wired keyboard + mouse. I do all my browsing/gaming/music listening my bedroom.
Now on the other side of the wall is my man cave so to say. It houses my audio receiver, 5.1 speakers, 50" plasma, and 180 gallon saltwater fish tank in wall (bragging I know
So from my computer in my room I ran a hdmi cable to the man cave in to the receiver input with the hopes of using the computer to play my media directly to the tv. My graphics card is a gtx 670.
Now I am able to watch movies from the computer to the tv, but it require some tweaking/round about way of doing it as outlined below and is why I'm here for some help.
The problems:
1. Audio:
Right now if I want to watch a movie from my computer to my tv I have to switch the audio output. I do this by going to Start > Control Panel > Sound > I then have to right click on my tv and set it as default device. (This will then play the sound only through the receiver). Now when I am done watching a movie in order to use my computer for gaming or music I have to go back to Sound option and right click and set "Speakers" as the default device.
I was thinking of setting up a macro to run through the clicks for me. Unless there is a way to have windows detect when the receiver is on to switch to that as default device for audio. The receiver is only on if I am watching a movie in that room.
2. Video:
Now on to the video issue if I try to set my multiple monitors as duplicate the whole desktop/start menu does not properly fit on my TV screen at 1920 x 1080. I tried switching through the resolutions with no luck.
What I do now is I have windows setup to extend these displays. To watch a movie now what I need to do is open VLC player and win + shift + right arrow to put the video player onto my tv. Then I have to right click in the video player and set it to full screen.
This is a major Pita. I'd prefer just to duplicate the desktop to the tv so I can see everything I'm doing and just have full control of the system from there.
Now right now I only have a wired keyboard in my bedroom, but what I ordered tonight is a Logitech Mini PC Dinovo Keyboard and 10 ft usb extension cable. I figure with the extension cable I can run that to the room and put the Bluetooth dongle there. This should eliminate any distance/through the wall issues.
3. Media Management:
Right now I have a media library of around 300+ movies backed up onto my pc and around 30 different television shows ranging in season size. I attempted to use "MyMovies" as an easy way to catalog/select the movie, but it is a bit slow/non responsive at times. Any recommendations for software to make picking a movie/show to watch easier from my catalog is appreciated.
Well I hope the fine community can help me with this and any additional details/questions that need to be answered I will do my best.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the help in advance!
). That's why it didn't get any better when you manually went through all the output resolutions. One option to correct this is installing a dedicated video card that will only output to the plasma and then try duplicating your display. Unfortunitly this only works about half the time. Personally I would just write a script to extend your desktop and open VLC in fullscreen on monitor 2. Then map it to EventGhost and add it to that original activity you created in step to.
