Posted: July 26 2003 at 12:07 | IP Logged

Well, I'm in the middle of a neat addition to my system!

I added a low-end ATI Radeon 9000 video card with S-Video out ($89) to my PH system, and ran that to my main TV. I picked up an auto-switching video source selector ($39) and use that to select between DirecTV and the "house". By turning off the DirecTV receiver, the 'house" display is selected.

I also picked up the Gyration Ultra GT+ Keyboard Suite for $99. It is a wireless keyboard and mouse set that works extremely well (better than any other wireless input devices that I have used). The mouse is an "in-the-air" mouse (think of it like using a laser pointer on your screen to control the mouse).

I now have the beginnings of complete, user-friendly control of the entire house from my couch. I already use an audio/video distribution system for piping music around the house, and, it would be trivial to add the new video output from the PH system to the distributed audio signal. This would allow web surfing, or, any other task, to be done through the system from any connected TV. 

The rest of the weekend will be used for tidying-up the wiring (some of my cables are too short ), and determining if I want to use the PH control center, or, web pages through IE for the interface.

More to come!

Posted: July 28 2003 at 18:35 | IP Logged

Tony,

Have you been talking to my girlfriend? 

You are nearly duplicating the setup that I currently have.  I use an older ATI All-in-wonder Radeon and run the output to my surround receiver which in turn is routed to the 50 inch big screen and my ChannelPlus video modulator which is then routed to every TV in the house.

I also have the Gyration Ultra GT+ keyboard/mouse and you are correct.  It's a lot better than the Logitech wireless stuff I was using.

Like you, Im able to control the house using the wireless keyboard/mouse as well as surf the web, play computer games, etc. from virtually every tv in the house.

Congratulations on your new setup .

Dave.

Posted: July 28 2003 at 19:51 | IP Logged

LOL! Not that I know of!

I'm really impressed with the ATI's S-Video output signal; an 800x600 screen is more than readable after changing the DPI setting of the dispaly to 120. The auto-sensing video switch was a find, too (my main TV only has one S-Video input).