[Andy789]

I'd like to go paperless with my breakfast ceremonies and read my morning news online. The idea I have is to have a rather large screen on the wall and a mouse on the breakfast table. Then my wife an I can fight over who uses the mouse.

Is this doable? My MBP is 8m away. I thought that I could use AirPortExpress for connecting the display/screen. Perhaps the mouse could be connected via some USB wireless devices. I am not sure. iPod Touch can control iTunes could it control websurfing?

If this works, then perhaps I could also get audio...

The Toronto Star costs $650/a

 

[chas_m]

1. Place the screen where you want it.

2. Place the MBP so that it's easily connectable to the screen.

3. Buy a good quality Bluetooth mouse.

 

[Andy789]

Yes, that would be the easy way. However, there is no practical location for the MBP in the breakfast area. Connecting and disconnecting is not practical. Also I want to keep the computer in my office.

 

[chas_m]

Is this doable?

Not as you've described it.

I thought that I could use AirPortExpress for connecting the display/screen.

Nope.

Sounds like what you want is an LCD panel and a WebTV (do they even still make that thing?).

The only other option I can think of at the moment is to run a DVI cable from the other room to the kitchen. Not what you're after I'm guessing.

The Bluetooth mouse should be able to handle the 24ft./8metres you mentioned, which is why I suggested it.

 

[Andy789]

TV is not a must but websurffing is.
Just tested the bluetooth mightymouse: it is 1m short of the needed range.

 

[John Clay]

As chas has said, you can't use an AirPort Express or Extreme for connecting the display/screen. Your only solution is to either wire your home with DVI and USB, or purchase a secondary computer. A Mac mini would be your most cost effective solution.

 

[Andy789]

It is to bad that I can not easily "distribute" the computer capacity I already own.
Thank you for the input.

 

[hhk]

Is there no way for you to run a cable between the two areas? You can run a DVI-HDMI cable up to 50 feet. Can you go through an attic or basement area?

Use an RF mouse and keyboard and not Bluetooth for long range connection. Way more reliable and longer range.

 

[darkscot]

If you're mounting the TV on the wall maybe it'd be worth it to have a little rack also mounted on the wall, just below or behind the TV (depends on the method) and use that rack to hold your MBP. Like a wall mounting magazine rack. Solves the BT range issue also.

 

[Andy789]

The DVI cables have the big connectors requiring big holes. I found
cables
good for 15m. However, making tidy cable runs would be a challenge.

 

[rgray]

You can very tidily tuck a Mini behind a flat screen using a Sonnet: MacCuff mini - Mounting and Security System for Mac mini. Then the mouse or whatever could be pretty much anywhere in the room, and you could VNC into it from the MB (or any other computer). You could even use one of the remote iPhone/Touch apps.

This could be a very tidy install with only the power cable to worry about.

An older Mini G4 type would easily be adequate for what you want to do.

 

[Adrian.]

Hey

I like that!

Thanks rgray. My dad will be interested in that. His office has 23 Mac Minis! That cleans up the desk space considerably.

I wonder if there would be a heat issue with the thing facing the back of the monitor?

 

[IllusionX]

heat goes up the holes at the top of the tv. There shouldn't be any head right behind the TV..

 

[screature]

You can very tidily tuck a Mini behind a flat screen using a Sonnet: MacCuff mini - Mounting and Security System for Mac mini. Then the mouse or whatever could be pretty much anywhere in the room, and you could VNC into it from the MB (or any other computer). You could even use one of the remote iPhone/Touch apps.

This could be a very tidy install with only the power cable to worry about.

An older Mini G4 type would easily be adequate for what you want to do.

Why not just get an iMac? This setup is pretty much the equivalent of a crude iMac no?

 

[screature]

Hey

I like that!

Thanks rgray. My dad will be interested in that. His office has 23 Mac Minis! That cleans up the desk space considerably.

I wonder if there would be a heat issue with the thing facing the back of the monitor?

23 mac Minis in his office!?!? Is he running a server farm?

 

[Andy789]

MacMini is a solid solution. However, it is expensive and is an overkill when I just want to see my MBP in an other room.
Based on what I know now, I find DVI cable with perhaps a signal booster and USB mouse closest to my real needs. = read the morning paper at my breakfast table, other stuff is a bonus

 

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd just get an iMac with a wireless keyboard and mouse. There are wireless ways to push video but they're not cheap and are new so may or may not work as reliably as more mature technology.

 

[hhk]

Why not just get an iMac? This setup is pretty much the equivalent of a crude iMac no?

Cause the iMac screen is glossy. A lot of people can't use the screen due to glare.

 

[hhk]

The DVI cables have the big connectors requiring big holes. I found
cables
good for 15m. However, making tidy cable runs would be a challenge.

I have HDMI on one end and DVI on the other. The HDMI end is a lot smaller. I ran it through 1" holes. If you have to have DVI on both ends, still get a HDMI cable and use an adapter.

Having re-wired a 50 year old house, when it comes to running cables, where there is a will, there is a way.

Those cables are way cheaper at monoprice.com

 

[screature]

Cause the iMac screen is glossy. A lot of people can't use the screen due to glare.

So just get a used one. Cheaper too!