Remote computer control

MightyM · Post by **MightyM** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:03 am

I would like the ability to control my computer located in the control room from my iso booth. My plan was to simply run DVI and USB extensions approximately 30 feet in order to hook up a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. After doing a bit of research, it appears that these digital cables aren't much good past 5 meters or 16.5'. I've seen some devices that convert the signals to run on CAT5, but they seem quite expensive.

Any suggestions for an inexpensive solution?

TomVan · Post by **TomVan** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:34 am

MightyM
Not sure how much you're willing to spend but there are many different styles of wireless controllers out there
http://www.frontierdesign.com/Products/TranzPort

Heres a start
Peace
Tom

brianrcdd · Post by **brianrcdd** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:29 pm

Also, don't write off the DVI/USB extension idea just yet. there are many extension solutions out there to do the job. My AV/VTC guy at work does it all the time in conference rooms, extending those signals up to ceiling mounted projectors and the like. I'll check with him and post the information. IIRC 30 foot is well within the range of some of his installations.

tarnationsauce · Post by **tarnationsauce** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:51 am

I have DVI running with a ~20ft extension cable along with USB. The USB cable leads to a hub that leads to a wireless mouse/keyboard dongle.
Everything works great, no degradation of video signal as far as I can tell. Just be sure to get a good shielded extension cable with ferrites.

MightyM · Post by **MightyM** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:26 am

I figured the 3 meter spec was probably on the conservative side. I've got 2" conduit to run my cables through, so if standard extension cables don't work out, I should be able to pull them out, connectors and all.

I'd still be curious to know if there is a low cost CAT5 converter system that would do the trick. Everything I have seen so far is approximately $200(US) and up.

malfunction · Post by **malfunction** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:31 am

Check this out:
http://www.prorec.com/Articles/tabid/10 ... fault.aspx

pretty cool!

-Tomi-

MightyM · Post by **MightyM** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:57 pm

Holy Crap!

Why didn't I think of that!

delusion · Post by **delusion** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:03 pm

I was just going to suggest the remote desktop approach, but I see malfunction's link already covers it.

I use a macbook and remote desktop to control 3 computers. A Mac G5 running Logic and 2 Win XP PCs running virtual instruments and effects. I can say that it works great.

The other cool thing with a setup like this is that you can eliminate the multiple monitors if you're running multiple machines. In my case, I only occasionally need to access my PC slaves, so I just have them in a window on my OSX desktop when needed.

Ro · Post by Ro » Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:43 pm

Funny, I was just about to hint you to MSTSC/RDP

Take another laptop, plug it in (wireless ofcourse) and start MSTSC (Microsoft Terminal Server Client) and connect to your host computer.
Make sure you have "remote control" enabled (computer props, remctr tab)

It's exactly how I do my remote recording

malfunction · Post by **malfunction** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:56 pm

A few years back I was also looking for a remote when I found the article. Never crossed my mind before that.
The instructions could be made a sticky somewhere around the forum?

Ro · Post by Ro » Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:07 pm

Why should they. If you press F1 in Microsoft Windows you get "help" which sure will guide you through... there are numerous articles on the net about remote-desktop features.

And there's good alternatives, has anybody tried VNC for example (it's been on the market for years and still unbeaten).

Eran · Post by **Eran** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:15 pm

This thread is a must read!
Great solutions, saves me tons of time and money.

Post by **Aaronw** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:14 pm

Here's Microsofts RDP program. They have both for PC & Mac:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/down ... ENTDL.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/r ... fault.mspx

malfunction · Post by **malfunction** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:01 am

Ro wrote:Why should they. If you press F1 in Microsoft Windows you get "help" which sure will guide you through... there are numerous articles on the net about remote-desktop features.

And there's good alternatives, has anybody tried VNC for example (it's been on the market for years and still unbeaten).

You are right about that but why would you buy VNC or something else since RD comes free with windows?

And you would be surprised how many people never even thought about this solution searching for a remote controller. That's why it would probably be a good sticky.

Ro · Post by Ro » Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:54 pm

VNC is a free tool

Remote Desktop in Windows acts like a Terminal Session while VNC, for example, takes over the current logged on Desktop user. In the studio context, RDP is a very good option. (It's buildin, it's handy and it works like a charm). That is, if you're the only one using that PC session.

With VNC, again for example, multiple ppl can view the same windows session....

cheers